The file comprises the following editions of this weekly Anti-Treaty newspaper: 9 Apr. 1922 (Vol. 1, No. 1)-2 July 1922 (Vol. 1, No. 13). Each edition featured political cartoons on the front page (some of which were drawn by Grace Plunkett).
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’.
Letters from Éamon de Valera, Sean F. Lemass, Seán T. O’Kelly, Oscar Traynor and John A. Costello concerning offers to defray the expenses involved in the repatriation and later accepting invitations to attend the Mass and re-internment of Fathers Albert and Dominic at Rochestown Capuchin Friary, County Cork.
Photographic print of President Seán T. O’Kelly at the Capuchin Retreat House, Raheny. Typescript annotation on the reverse reads: ‘One of the first events covered by Gael-Linn’s all-Irish newsreel – directed, edited, and produced in Ireland was the blessing of the Calvary at the Capuchin Retreat House Raheny on June 14 in memory of two patriot priests, Fr. Albert Bibby OFM Cap. and Fr. Dominic O’Connor OFM Cap., where Mr. O’Kelly and Mr. de Valera made their last appearance together as President and Taoiseach. The still from the ‘Amharc Eireann’ shows Mr. O’Kelly waving to the crowd as he leaves. With him are Rev. Fr. Hillary McDonagh OFM Cap, (left), Rev. Fr. Colman Griffin OFM Cap. and Rev. Fr. Theodore Murphy OFM Cap., Superior of the Retreat House. The file includes a colour photographic print of the ‘Calvary in memory of Fr. Albert and Fr. Dominic erected by the old boys of Fianna Éireann’.
An autograph book signed by Anti-Treaty IRA prisoners detained in Limerick Jail in early 1923. The text includes patriotic and republican poems and statements composed by the detainees. The volume was compiled by James O’Mahony (Séamus Ó Mathúna) from Mitchelstown in County Cork. O’Mahony joined the Irish Volunteers in September 1917 and was active in the anti-conscription campaign. As an engineering student in University College Cork, he continued his republican activities and by July 1921 held the rank of adjutant of the 6th Battalion of the Cork No. 2 Brigade of the IRA. He participated in several engagements with British forces in Cork during the War of Independence and was appointed the brigade’s principal training officer. He took the Anti-Treaty side during the Civil War and was a member of the republican forces which fought in a large-scale engagement in Kilmallock in County Limerick in August 1922. He was captured by the National Army in December 1922 and was initially confined in Mitchelstown. In early January 1923, he was moved to Limerick Jail and was held there until he escaped on 31 March.
