The note reads: ‘The General Officer Commander in Chief directs that every facility be given to his Revered Father Albert [Bibby] OSFC to visit rebel prisoners at any of the places of detention or internment, to hear confessions and administer the rights of his Church, at all times’. With typescript copy.
Authorisation from Colonel H.V. Cowan, Assistant Adjutant General, Headquarters, Irish Command, Parkgate, Dublin, to Fr. Aloysius Travers OFM Cap. The note reads: ‘The General Officer Commander in Chief directs that every facility be given to his Revered Father Aloysius OSFC to visit rebel prisoners at any of the places of detention or internment, to hear confessions and administer the rights of his Church, at all times’.
A memorial booklet commemorating Arthur Griffith and Michael Collins. Harry Clarke (1889-1931), artist, provided the illustrated cover (which is lacking). Printed in Dublin by Martin Lester. The booklet contains many photographic illustrations and articles by Piaras Beaslai, Eoin MacNeill and others.
An election handbill quoting a letter from the Most Rev. William J. Archbishop of Dublin criticising the stance of the Irish Parliamentary Party. It reads: ‘For years past I have never had a moment’s doubt that the Irish Home Rule cause in Parliament was being led along a line that could only bring it to disaster. …’. The handbill concludes with a call to vote for W.T. Cosgrave in the Kilkenny by-election.
The pamphlet comprises extracts taken from a ‘discourse at the Third Council of Baltimore, by Dr. John Ireland, late Archbishop of St. Paul, 10th November 1884’. Rev. Edmond O’Shea, Philadelphia, contends that the principles contained in Dr. Ireland’s speech offer a ‘full vindication by America’s foremost Statesman and Theologian of the Irish Republic proclaimed by Padraig Pearse and the Men of Easter Week, 1916, and ratified by Plebiscite of the Irish People, December 28th, 1918’.
Some Irish Capuchins displayed a noticeable sympathy with the republican interest during the Civil War. The Church Street community maintained close ties with various republicans including Frank Gallagher who carried out propaganda work on various Anti-Treaty bulletins, newsletters and publications. Gallagher worked alongside Erskine Childers (who was also on good terms with some Capuchin friars) on the republican publicity staff. Both men sided with Éamon de Valera in the Treaty debates. Gallagher and Robert Brennan were significant contributors to the 'Daily Bulletin' which was produced at this time (See CA IR/1/8/3/8). As a consequence, most of the tracts and publicity material obtained by the Capuchins reflected a rigidity to the Sinn Féin version of the conflict and demonstrated an implacable hostility to the Treaty and its supporters.
Cartoons attributed to Constance de Markievicz (1868-1927). • A figure of Hibernia with arms behind her back and chained. Michael Collins (1890-1922), holds a gun to her head. Behind Michael Collins are a bishop and William Thomas Cosgrave, (1880-1965). In front of Hibernia and carrying a piece of paper with the words ‘Propaganda D.F.’, is Desmond Fitzgerald, (1889-1947). The caption reads: Carey Collins - Go down on your b------ knees without any more d-----d fuss swear allegiance to King George and his heirs. : Faker Fitzgerald - Don't listen to Devalera [sic]. I could tell you a lot about great great grandmother and Spanish gold. : The Bishop - Take any other oath that will get you out of your difficulties. : Comic Cosgrave - It was an awful joke talking about freedom, you know. • The branded arm of James O’Reilly Sketched from life by C de M. View of an arm with the sleeve rolled up to expose branded marks. According to the printed statement on the accompanying page, Stephen Gorman aka James O’Reilly of Ballyblia, Ardee, County Louth, was arrested on 11 September 1922 while travelling on a weekend visit to Drogheda. He was arrested on suspicion that he had taken part in a republican demonstration in Ardee. He was then branded. Notes: Title printed. Watermarks visible. Physical description: 1 stencil print: roneo; 32.6 x 19.3 cm. (2 copies).
The file comprises the following editions: An t-Óglác the official organ of the Irish Volunteers: 15 Mar. 1921 (vol. III, no. 1)-15 Apr. 1921 (Vol. III, no. 4); 1 May 1921 (Vol. III, no. 6)-10 June 1921 (Vol. III, no. 12); 24 June 1921 (Vol. III, no. 14); 2 Dec. 1921 (vol. III, no. 37) – 9 Dec. 1921 (vol. III, no. 38); An t-Óglác, the official organ of the army 20 Jan. 1923 (vol. iv, no. 32, new series) – 27 Jan. 1923 (vol., iv, no. 33 new series) An t-Óglác, the army journal 29 May 1926 (vol. iv, no. 20). The concluding edition in the file contains an article titled ‘Four courts and North King St. Area in 1916’ by John J. Reynolds, referring to the activities of Capuchin priests from Church Street during the 1916 Rising. (pp 3-4).
'An Stoc' was edited by Tomás Ó Máille (1880-1938). Ó Máille was born in Connemara and was educated in University College Manchester, in Freiburg and later in Berlin. He became professor of Irish studies at University College Galway. Among his published works were 'The language of the annals of Ulster' (1910); 'An Gaoth Aniar' (1920); 'MacDatho' (1927); 'Medb Chriachna' (1934); 'Diarmad Dann' (1936); 'An Béal Beo' (1936). He edited 'An Stoc', which contained Irish poetry, folklore extracts and other forms of cultural revivalist and nationalist literature. 'An Stoc' was published in Galway by Coláiste na h-Iolsgoile. The file contains the following issues: Dec. 1917. Vol. 1, No. 1 Jan. 1918. Vol. 1, No. 2 Feb.-Mar. 1918. Vol. 1, No. 3 Apr.-May 1918. Vol. 1, No. 4. Apr.-May 1920. Vol. 2, No. 10.