As published in the Leinster Reporter, 30 July 1921, an extract from ‘The Early History of Birr’ by barrister Thomas Lalor Cooke, detailing the intervention of Irish barrister and politician Daniel O’Connell to resolve a heated and potentially fatal challenge to arms between the mature and seasoned Robert Holmes, barrister, and a colleague, Christopher Antisell:

“About four miles from Birr… is Sradruff, Shadruffe, the residence of the Antisell family, where this very respectable family has been settled for nearly two centuries.  This family appears to have been known by the different names Antisell, Entwissel and Anketel.  They came to Ireland from Enswell in Lancashire, and settled at Killowning, now called Castle Willington, near Nenagh, from which they afterwards removed to Shraduffe… The following incident relative to a member of the family, affords an example of the now almost forgotten code of honour resorted to in Ireland even in comparatively recent times, and by the most enlightened and best educated classes.

The late Christopher Antisell of the Shradruffe family, barrister -at-law, and for a long time father of the Irish bar, was known to have had the most strict notions of honour, with a very warm temper.  About the year 1825, the late Robert Holmes, also barrister-at-law, and who was likewise father of the bar for many years, before his death, was engaged as Counsel on one side, while Mr Antisell was on the other, in a suit then pending in the Court of Exchequer.  In the course of some argument in Court, Mr Antisell, carried away by that anxiety for his client which always distinguished him, used in the warmth of debate some expression which Mr Holmes took offence at. 

The same evening the late Mr Daniel QC, waited on Mr Antisell for an explanation, and was by him referred to Mr Thomas Lalor Cooke, the writer of this account of the occurrence, as a person authorized to act for him.  Fortunately, neither of the deputed friends were inclined to resort to hostilities, if such could be avoided; but while they were thus peaceably disposed, the principals were men of great personal bravery, and of determination almost amounting to obstinacy; and each had been previously engaged in one or more affairs of honour. 

The greater part of two days having been spent in negotiating, a hostile meeting seemed likely to result from Messrs. Daniel and Cooke not being able to agree as to the facts, neither of them having been present at what had occurred in the Court of Exchequer. At this stage of the affair, Mr Cooke applied to the late Daniel O’Connell, who having been present at the original transaction in Court, and being indifferent between the parties, was perfectly capable of deciding as to the facts.  ‘Why Cooke,’ said the Liberator as he placed a hand on his shoulder, ‘My opinion is that Antisell is wrong.  He insulted Holmes first, and he now wants to shoot him if he perseveres and does not apologise.’

Having his own opinion on the case thus backed by so important an authority, Mr Cooke agreed that an apology should be given, and Mr Daniel consented that it should be received.  The insult having been offered in the Court of Exchequer, it was arranged that Messrs Holmes and Antisell, accompanied by their two friends, should meet in the private chamber of one of the Barons, and that the amends honourable should be there made in presence only, besides those mentioned, of Mr O’Connell and Master Goold, as members of the bar. 

At the appointed time these six gentlemen met, and a mild form of apology having been read, it was followed by a more ample spontaneous one which, much to the credit of him who spoke it, seemed to flow from a generous and brave heart.  It is unnecessary to add, that the parties separated perfectly reconciled.”

Mr Holmes, whose first wife was the sister of Robert Emmet, would have been a man of no less than fifty summers at the date of the above incident!

Daniel O’Connell would have known better than anyone the value of avoiding a duel, since he had killed another lawyer in one such challenge a decade previously, a deed by which he remained haunted throughout his life…

Image Credit: Wikipedia