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.
A pamphlet in the republican interest referring to the issue censorship in the Civil War. Published in Glasgow by by Kirkwood & Co. Printer and place of printing is established from p. [4] and imprint date is based on text.
A pamphlet in the republican interest written under the pseudonym of ‘Columban na Banban’. The pamphlet urges priests to adhere to the Republic and to defy their Bishop’s commands: ‘The Republican Police Force is not disbanded. … Mulcahy will surrender as surely as Macready surrendered. Doubtless when all arguments are used the Bishops will remain your great stumbling block’. (p. 11).
A pamphlet relating to the trial and execution of Erskine Childers (1870-1922) who was convicted by a Free State military court on charges of illegally possessing a firearm and sentenced to death. While his appeal against the sentence was still pending, Childers was executed by firing squad at the Beggar’s Bush Barracks in Dublin on 24 Nov. 1922. The tract includes an elegy on Erskine Childers by Padraig de Brún. Published in London by Leslie Smith & Co., printers.
An anti-Treaty cartoon referring to Desmond Fitzgerald (1889-1947), Minister for External Affairs (1922-7), and Minister for Propaganda outside the cabinet (August 1921). The caption refers to Fitzgerald as ‘Liar in Chief to Publicity Department. Slave-State’.
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’.
