box / William Partridge, 1916

William Partridge's rosary beads and case on which he used to recite the Rosary to his comrades in the College of Surgeons during Easter Week 1916. The scene was described by Countess Markievicz in her poem: "To a Comrade". Set of small brown wooden beads, some carved, with a brass crucifix, silvered crucifix (Lourdes engraved on the back), and two medals (St Gerard and St. Christopher). In a red laquered container. Councillor William P. Partridge, member of the Irish Citizen Army and leading trade unionist. A week previous to Easter Sunday 1916 he was sent to Tralee by James Connolly. His mission was to help in getting the members of the Transport Union to discharge the German boat on his arrival at Fenit. On Good Friday evening, he was sent back to Dublin to inform James Connolly of the arrest of Austin Stack. During Easter Week, he fought in the College of Surgeons under Commandant Mallin and was subsequently sentenced to 15 years penal servitude. Having contracted a serious illness in Dartmoor, he was released in 1917 and died shortly after his return. He was buried in Ballaghdereen.;