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.
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’.
Correspondence file relating to Christopher J. Brady who along with Michael J. Molloy and Liam Ó Briain, compositors, were responsible for printing the 1916 Proclamation. The Proclamation was composed in Liberty Hall, the headquarters of the Irish Transport and General Workers Union. Liberty Hall was also the location of the printing press, an antiquated Wharfdale Double Crown, used to print Connolly’s ‘The Worker’s Republic’ newspaper. Brady used this press to print the Proclamation on Sunday, 23 April 1916. The file includes a photographic print of Christopher J. Brady and letters mainly regarding requests that he authenticate original copies of the Proclamation. One of the letters (17 June 1934) is from Nellie Gifford-Donnelly to Brady requesting that he and Michael J. Molloy and Liam Ó Briain visit Dr. Kathleen Lynn to authenticate and sign a copy of the 1916 Proclamation in her possession. Both Gifford-Donnelly and Kathleen Lynn were committed nationalists and feminists who had participated in the Rising. Gifford-Donnelly was later instrumental in securing historical documents and objects associated with the Easter Rising. The Proclamation signed by Brady is now on display in the National Museum of Ireland.
A pamphlet in the republican interest referring to those interned by British authorities in the aftermath of the 1916 Rising. Written by the Most Rev. Edward Thomas O’Dwyer (1842-1917), Bishop of Limerick. Published in Limerick, 1917.
Letters from Sinéad de Valera to Fr. Albert Bibby OFM Cap., asking for a ‘national novena to the Sacred Heart’. She declares that she has ‘had a letter from Dev this morning. They have had no Sunday mass since they left Ireland. He served Mass on Corpus Christi but that was the only day they had Mass’. She relays De Valera’ request that luxury items such as sweets should not be sent to republican prisoners and suggests that ‘some little committee could be formed to collect the money which would otherwise be expended on postage …’. She adds ‘Please don’t let Eamonn’s name be associated with it as I know he would not like his remark about the luxuries to go around. He has a dislike to being considered a vaitin and his remark might be misunderstood’. In the letter of 24 May 1918 she refers to her anxiety over ‘the midnight raid and Saturday’s paper’. She added: ‘Dev is in Gloucester prison. I had a message from the Governor saying to send on some clothes’.
Letter from Fr. Albert Bibby OFM Cap. to Fr. Peter Bowe OFM Cap., Provincial Minister, referring to his weakened condition and his closeness to death. He asks for 'forgiveness and pardon for all my faults, and for all the disedifications I have given, as well for all the violations of [the] Rule, Constitutions and Regulations of which I have been guilty'. Bibby asserts that he wishes 'to die a loyal member of the Irish Province'. He encloses a newspaper cutting from the 'Santa Barbara Daily News' (21 Jan. 1925) containing an article with (photographic prints) of Mission Santa Inés and ‘Padre Albert’. With a cover and copies.
Photographic print of Terence MacSwiney, Lord Mayor of Cork, Fr. Bonaventure Murphy OFM Cap., Rector of Rochestown College; Fr. Berchmans Cantillon OFM Cap.; Fr. Colman Griffin OFM Cap., Superior, Rochestown Capuchin Friary; Fr. Francis Hayes OFM Cap. The original print is pasted onto card with the title: ‘Terence MacSwiney, Lord Mayor of Cork at the College, May 1920’. With three later reproductions.
‘Charles Letts’s Small Octavo Diary and Note Book’. A daily record diary of Fr. Stanislaus Kavanagh OFM Cap., Church Street, Dublin. Routine entries record the ministries and day-to-day activities of various Capuchin friars. The diary also chronicles the detention and trial of Fr. Dominic O’Connor OFM Cap. An entry on 5 Jan. 1921 reads: ‘Fr. Dominic OSFC notified today in Kilmainham Prison of his approaching Court Martial and told to see his solicitor’. Other entries in the diary refer to the activities of British military forces in the wake of an upsurge in Republican attacks. On 16 Jan. Fr. Stanislaus wrote ‘The front portion of our Church and whole street closed with barbed wire. … This was done in early hours of morning. Many unable to go to Mass to day. House to house search by military. Show’s the respect of the English government for the Lord’s day’. Fr. Dominic’s transfer ‘under heavy escort’ to Kingstown for the boat to take him to Wormwood Scrubs Prison was recorded on 31 Jan. 1921. On 13 February, Fr. Stanislaus noted that the Capuchin Friary in Kilkenny was ‘raided by the Black and Tans in their usual rough fashion’. A loose page in the file summarizes some key events in 1921. Reference is made to the court martial in Kilmainham Jail of Fr. Dominic O’Connor OFM Cap. Other events mentioned in the 1921 summary include military raids in Kilkenny (13 February), the imposition of a curfew order (4 March), the executions of the Irish Volunteers (Thomas Bryan, Frank Flood, Bernard Ryan, Patrick Doyle, Patrick Moran and Thomas Whelan) in Mountjoy Jail on 14 March, the death of Archbishop William Walsh (9 April), and the burning of the Custom House in Dublin following an attack by the Irish Republican Army (25 May).
Letter to Lena May Murphy, Cork, from Fr. Dominic O’Connor OFM Cap. (23 Nov. 1918). It reads: ‘I must thank you very sincerely for your great kindness to my dead father in his last illness. All at home are never done telling everybody of you and your wonderful goodness’. This letter was sent by [Maire] Murphy, 35 Mercier Park, Curragh Road, Cork, to Fr. Nessan Shaw OFM Cap. (13 Nov. 1991), explaining that Lena May Murphy was her late aunt. With a copy photograph of Lena May Murphy, and notes by Fr. Nessan re Lena May who worked as a nurse caring for elderly patients.
