The Martyrs of Ireland A 19th century poster produced in the United States commemorating the 1867 hanging of Michael Larkin, William Philip Allen and Michael O＞Brien, subsequently known as the Manchester Martyrs The three had been involved in an incident in Manchester, England, when they and a group of fellow Fenians attempted to rescue brother Fenians being transported to jail The rescue attempt resulted, in confused circumstances, in the death of a police officer.