Item 15 - An article describing clashes at a Sinn Féin-organised aeridhacht held in Cullen, County Cork on 26 May 1918

The article describes a confrontation with the British military during the aeridhacht. It reads ‘during the singing and performances not only were many police present but five aeroplanes appeared and for over an hour circled over the meeting, descending to the closest possible proximity to the crowd and drowning by their din the children’s music, and that flame rockets were dropped from the planes close to the crowd, one of which set light to a thatched roof …’. The article is signed ‘W.F.P.S.’ This is probably William Frederick Paul Stockley, a Sinn Féin politician. The article concludes by declaring that ‘We are not completely emancipated from party politicians and capitalist’ newspapers. And the Irish nation of the future will never be Imperialist’.