Davitt (25/03/1846 — 30/05/1906) was an Irish Republican and agrarian campaigner, who founded the Irish National Land League, which by aiming to abolish landlordism in Ireland sought to help tenant farmers by enabling them to own the land they worked on. Davitt was also a labour leader, Home Rule politician and MP.
On Wilkinson Street in Haslingden in Rossendale, Lancashire there is a memorial to Michael Davitt at the site where his house used to be. The memorial was visited by Mary McAleese, President of Ireland, on 12 April 2006 to commemorate the centenary of the death of Davitt.
There is also a mural tablet commemorating Davitt at St Mary’s Church, Haslingden. This was unveiled in 1908. The Church organ was also given in memory of Davitt.
Just over the road from the memorial on Wilkinson Street is the Haslingden Davitt IDL Club; The Land League
There is also a Davitt Museum in a former church in Straide, Foxford, County Mayo, Ireland. Davitt was christened in the church.
Many thanks to Unite Community members Tony Shaw and John Mooney for bringing to the attention of Rebel Road the Michael Davitt memorial.
Mark Metcalf ~ independent working class writer and journalist 