In 1805, Marcus Lyon was murdered on the Springfield-Boston Road in Wilbraham. In 1806, despite a lack of evidence, Irish Catholics Dominic Daley and James Halligan were unjustly accused and hung for the killing. Convicted due to their ethnic and religious ties, the trial of Daley and Halligan is considered one of the earliest documented examples of prejudices faced by Irish immigrants in America. It was not until St. Patrick's Day 1984 that Governor Michael Dukakis issued a proclamation exonerating them.

Presenters Bill O’Riordan, W. Michael Ryan, Tony Ryan, and David Sullivan are dedicated to keeping the public aware of the history of Daley and Halligan. As members of the Daley & Halligan Bicentennial Committee, the four have hosted numerous events, ceremonies, and speaking engagements throughout the area to discuss the events that took place more than 200 years ago.