In November 1867, three Fenians—William Allen, Michael Larkin, and Michael O'Brien—were executed in Manchester, England, for the killing of a police officer during a rescue attempt of two Fenian prisoners. The executions, which became known as the Manchester Martyrs, caused widespread outrage in Ireland and Britain, and the men were celebrated as heroes in Irish nationalist ballads. The Manchester Martyrs became symbols of the Fenian cause and martyrs for Irish independence.

The Manchester Martyrs are one of the most celebrated subjects in Irish nationalist balladry, with songs like 'God Save Ireland' becoming anthems of the Fenian movement. The martyrs' execution is a powerful symbol of British injustice, and their story has been retold in countless poems and ballads. The Manchester Martyrs' legacy is a testament to the power of poetry to turn political prisoners into national icons.