The file comprises the following editions: 28 June 1922 (no. 1) – 16 Mar. 1923 (no. 175). The series is missing a small number of editions but there are multiple copies of other issues extant in the file. The publication began with the attack on anti-treaty republicans in the Four Courts, and the publication focused on ways of conveying news of the changing situation to journalists, republican supporters and the general public. The first (un-numbered) edition was styled as a communiqué from Rory O’Connor, Major General, IRA. It read: ‘The boys are glorious, and will fight for their Republic to the end. How long will our misguided former comrades outside attack those who stand for Ireland alone?’ Reference is made in this first communiqué to Fr. Albert Bibby OFM Cap. and Fr. Dominic O’Connor OFM Cap. who were ministering to the besieged republicans.
The series is incomplete but there are multiple copies of some editions extant in the file. Individual (loose) editions: 15 July 1922 (No. 2)-21 July 1922 (No. 6). 7 Aug. 1922 (No. 20)-14 Aug. 1922 (No. 26) 16 Aug. 1922 (No. 28)-26 Aug. 1922 (No. 37) 29 Aug. 1922 (No. 40) 31 Aug. 1922 (No. 43)-1 Sept. 1922 (No. 44) 23 Sept. 1922 (No. 63) 26 Sept. 1922 (No. 65)-29 Sept. 1922 (No. 68). 30 Sept. 1922 (No. 70)-7 Oct. 1922 (No. 76). 10 Oct. 1922 (No. 78)-11 Oct. 1922 (No. 79) 12 Oct. 1922 (No. 80)-17 Oct. 1922 (No. 84). Bound editions: 26 July 1922-5 Aug. 1922 (Nos. 10-19). 18 Aug. 1922-26 Aug. 1922 (Nos. 30-38). 29 Aug. 1922-7 Sept. 1922 (Nos. 40-49). 2 Sept. 1922-11 Sept. 1922 (Nos. 45-52). 8 Sept. 1922-19 Sept. 1922 (Nos. 50-59). 12 Sept. 1922-15 Sept. 1922 (Nos. 53-56). 16 Sept.-25 Sept. 1922 (Nos. 57-64). 20 Sept.-30 Sept. 1922 (Nos. 60-69). 30 Sept. 1922-6 Oct. 1922 (Nos. 70-79). 'The Fenian' was an Anti-Treaty newspaper providing the republican perspective on the course of Civil War hostilities. The paper warns that ‘insidious attempts have been made within the last few days by the English King’s Provisional Ministers to spread the rumour that a truce had been achieved. Under cover of this they hope to weaken the splendid morale of the republican troops and then attack them when off their guard’. The editions were bound together with a note indicating that they belonged to ‘Rev. Fr. Sebastian [O’Brien OFM Cap.], Church Street’.
The file comprises the following editions of this Anti-Treaty publication: 14 Aug. 1922 (No. 3)-7 Jan. 1923 (No. 35). Issue No. 20 is missing but there are multiple copies of some editions. The issue of 25 Aug. 1922 (No. 8) refers to the death of Michael Collins at Béal na mBláth. The issue of 25 Oct. 1922 (No. 18) is described as a ‘Terence MacSwiney memorial number’.
A copy of 'Freedom' (17 Sept. 1922). The cover has a portrait of Lawrence Ginnell (1852-1923), a veteran Irish nationalist and opponent of the Anglo-Irish Treaty. The sketched-portrait was drawn by Constance Markievicz.
A collection of broadly nationalist newspapers and broadsheets. The sub-series includes cultural, Irish language and labour publications. The sub-series also contains contemporary newspapers reporting on the 1916 Rising and the major events of the War of Independence.
A copy of the nationalist newspaper edited by Arthur Griffith, 'Scissors and Paste', 27 Feb. 1915 (Vol. I, no. 22). Griffith actively discouraged Irishmen from fighting with the British army in the First World War, as a result of which the 'Sinn Féin' newspaper was banned in December 1914; Griffith promptly replaced it with 'Scissors and Paste' and later with 'Nationality', both of which continued to promote Sinn Féin policies. In 'Scissors and Paste', Griffith evaded British censorship by sampling articles from the uncensored press and then juxtaposing them so that readers could draw their own conclusions
'An lóċrann' was established by Pádraig Ó Siochfhradha (1883-1964) and was published in Cork. It featured Irish language revivalist literature and articles on Gaelic folklore and music. The file comprises the following editions: July 1917 (no. 16) Mar. 1918 (no. 24). Annotation on page 8: ‘Father Albert [Bibby OFM Cap.]’. Apr. 1919. (no. 37) July 1919 (no. 40). 2 copies Dec. 1919 (no. 45) Feb. 1920 (no. 47) July 1920 (no. 52)
The file comprises mostly single sheets and clippings from editions of 'Young Ireland (Ėire Og)'. Complete editions include: 21 May 1921 (No. 17); 16 July 1921 (No. 24); 23 July 1921 (No. 26); 12 Nov. 1921 (No. 42).
The file contains the issue: 1 Nov. 1920 (vol. CLIII) referring to the prominent role of Fr. Dominic O’Connor OFM Cap. at the funeral of Terence MacSwiney, Lord Mayor of Cork.
