A view of Lower Main Street in Graiguenamangh, County Kilkenny, in about 1905. The image was probably taken (or acquired) by Fr. Angelus Healy OFM Cap. (1873-1953), a Capuchin friar who was a native of Graiguenamangh. A horse drawn carriage (called a ‘brake’) can be seen carrying passengers on the right of the road. These were extensively used in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries as a means of public transport and conveyance. Going in the opposite direction is what appears to be some sort of parade of horses and jockeys (in apparently elaborate silks).
A typescript copy of a letter from Sir Francis Vane referring to the Irish Volunteers during the Easter Rising. The letter was originally published in the ‘Freeman’s Journal’ (27 July 1916). (Volume page 34).
Printed facsimile of a letter from Fr. Albert Bibby to the editor of ‘The Monitor’ referring to his worsening condition in in St. Francis Hospital in Santa Barbara, California. He writes ‘It is hard to feel that that I may not see dear old Ireland again, or my good mother, sisters and friends there. It would lessen the sacrifice to be laid to rest with Rory [O’Connor] and the boys in Glasnevin’. He adds that he has no bitterness towards his political opponents’. (Volume page 91).
A clipping of a report on the death of Peadar Kearney (Peadar Ó Cearnaigh) in the ‘Irish Press’ published on 25 November 1942. Kearney died (aged 58) on 24 November at his home in Inchicore, Dublin. Kearney is best remembered for writing the lyrics to ‘A Soldier’s Song’ (‘Amhrán na bhFiann’, the Irish-language translation, is the national anthem of Ireland). (Volume page 120).
A clipping of an image of the destroyed Frankfort House on Montenotte Hill in Cork taken from the ‘Illustrated London News’ (4 June 1921). The caption notes that the house belonged to Sir Alfred Dobbin (1853-1942). Dobbin was a successful Cork businessman who was vice chairman of the Cork Employers’ Federation. He was appointed High Sheriff of Cork in 1900 and was granted a knighthood by Queen Victoria in the same year. He was later appointed Deputy Lieutenant for Cork city, a post which he held until 1922. Frankfort House, his opulent residence, was completely gutted by fire following the assault by Irish Volunteers on 25 May 1921. It was said that the attackers obtained large quantities of petrol from Sir Alfred’s own garage which they subsequently spread throughout the mansion. The only consideration afforded to the homeowners was the permission given to Lady Kate Dobbin (Alfred’s wife) to remove some of her valuable paintings from the property before it was set ablaze. (Volume page 128).
An image of John McCormack in Miami Beach, Florida, United States. The original caption (credited to the International News Photo Agency) is appended to the image side of the photograph. The caption title reads ‘Irish Thrush [McCormack] on Southern Lark’. It also refers to McCormack’s companions in the image (Betty King of Miami Beach and Terry Lawlor of California) as ‘Two Fair Colleens’. The caption also notes that the photograph was taken at Jack Dempsey’s Cocktail Room in Miami Beach. (Volume page 143).
