Thomas Clarke Luby - Politics

Politics

Luby supported the Repeal Association, and contributed to The Nation newspaper. After the breach with Daniel O’Connell he joined the Young Irelanders in the Irish Confederation. Luby was deeply influenced by James Fintan Lalor at this time. Following the suppression of the 1848 rebellion he with Lalor and Philip Gray attempted to revive the fighting in 1849 as members of the secret Irish Democratic Association, this too, was to end in failure. In 1851 Luby travelled to France, where he hoped to join the French Foreign Legion to learn infantry tactics but found the recruiting temporarily suspended. From France he went to Australia for a year before returning to Ireland. From the end of 1855 he edited the Tribune newspaper founded by John E. Pigot who had been a member of the Nation group. The spirit of the paper was that of the Nation, which had converted him to a revolutionary nationalist, with a leaning towards both Mitchel and Lalor. During this time he had remained in touch with the small group of ’49 men including Philip Gray and attempting to start a new revolutionary movement. Luby’s views on social issues had grown more conservative after ’48 which he made clear to James Stephens whom he had met in 1856. However on several journeys through the country with Stephen’s he was thoroughly won over by his colleague’s ability and success as an organizer. In January 1857 both Stephen’s and Luby attended the funeral of Philip Gray in County Meath. At the service, Stephen’s insisted that Luby give the oration, which later Luby regarded as a poor and halting attempt.