prison autograph album / The Book of Ballykinlar, 1921

The Book of Ballykinlar. On August 12, 1921, all the Teachtai Dála in Ballykinlar were released from Ballykinlar Camp to attend a meeting of Dáil Éireann which was held in the Mansion House on August 16, 1921. (It was the first meeting of the 2nd Dáil) The Ballykinlar T.D.'s (No. 2 Camp) got this book and had it autographed in the Mansion House by Michael Collins, Eoin MacNeill, Arthur Griffith, Eamonn de Valera. It was then sent to Proinnsias Ó Dubhthaigh the Commandant of No. Camp and was autographed by every prisoner in the camp. The names (mostly in Irish) are grouped together according to the huts the prisoners occupied. A page is devoted to each hut and each of the pages is ornamented with Celtic illuminated border work by Micheál Ó Riada, no design being repeated. There are about thousand names. In addition, there is a complete account of the Life and activities of the Camp (A sworn inquiry was held in the Camp on the treatment of prisoners all over Ireland). The Inquiry Commission (Members); The Alter Society; Na Muinteori Gaedhilge; The Other Teachers; The Fainne Society; Lectures and Lecturers; Industrial, Economic and General; Arts and Crafts; Irish Products League; Veterans Physical Drill Class; Cookhouse Staff; The Ballykinlar Players; The Plays Presented; Engineer and Staff - "The Shovel Brigade" (James Quigley) G.A.A. Board; The Newspaper Staff etc. etc. Chapel: The Prison Chapel by Micheál Ó Riada. A view of hut by Muiris MacCongail. Views of huts by Liam Mac Eoin. Chess Players (an interior) by Cathal Ó Lamhráin. A decoration by B. Ryan. The book was completed in the Camp and was presented to Father Burbage on behalf of his fellow prisoners by Commandant Proinnsias Ó Dubhthaigh. Father Burbage was first a prisoner in the Curragh Camp, then in Arbour Hill and was finally sent to Ballykinlar where he remained until the General release. N.B. The writing of the life and activities of the camp was done by Donnchadh Ó Briain Enniscorthy.;