The Coolgreany/Croghan Eviction Photographic Series: Taken during and after the evictions of 1887 in the Croghan and Coolgreany areas of Co. Wexford. (Images sourced by Michael Fortune,)

The Plan of Campaign (where tenants withheld rent from the landlord until a rent reduction was negotiated and agreed) was adopted by the tenants on the Brooke Estate in December 1886. The terms were refused by the owner, and in February 1887 Hamilton was preparing for a series of evictions. The eviction campaign started in July of that year, and numerous families (many of whom are photographed in the album) were removed from their homes by force by Hamilton’s bailiffs and Emergency Men.