Historical Collections Online
Search our Historical Collections Online, a sample of 10,000 artefacts from the National Museum of Ireland’s Historical, Military and Easter Week Collections, published as part of the Decade of Commemorations.
letter / Mary O'Connell, 1821
Letter, holograph. From Daniel O'Connell to his wife, Mary. Addressed to 'My Sweetest Mary'. From Cork, dated 14th April 1821. Tells of dining with Counsellor Coppinger.
letter / Mary O'Connell, 1826
Letter, handwritten. From Daniel O'Connell to his wife, Mary. Addressed to 'My own love', Mrs O'Connell at Tralee. Dated Cork, July 29th, 1826.
baptism certificate / Duke of Wellington
Parchment certificate of the baptism of the Duke of Wellington, St Peter's Parish, Dublin, certifying that "Arthur, son of the Right Honourable Earl and Countess of Mornington, was baptised on the 30th day of April 1769." Dated 19th December 1850.
bracelet / Sheares Family
White hair bracelet, with chased gold ornaments, one being inscribed 'From Aunt Jackson'. Belonged to Mrs Jackson, sister of Mr Percy, who married Alicia Sheares, the daughter of Henry Sheares. Irish, late 18th century.
souvenir / Charles Stewart Parnell
Walking stick; blackthorn. Originally belonged to Charles Stewart Parnell. Said to have been cut from a tree in the Phoenix Park, which was cut down by donor's father. Given to the donor's father by Parnell in 1882.
sketch / Meagher, Tasmania, 1850
Pencil sketch of cottage on Lake Sorell, Tasmania, circa 1850, in which Thomas Francis Meagher lived. Done by John Mitchell.
Irish Volunteer jug / Success to the Independent Volunteer Societies of the Kingdom of Ireland
Jug, earthenware. Barrel-shaped, pale buff paste, with transfer engraving in black. On one side, within a shaped border 'Success to the Independent Volunteer Societies of the Kingdom of Ireland'. Supporters a Battalion and Light Infantry soldier above Hibernia, and below "For my Country". On the...
relic / Charles I
Lock of hair, said to have been cut from the head of Charles I when the body was exhumed in the early 19th century, 1813 - St George's Chapel, Windsor. Attached together with a letter from Miss Grace Jenkins.
certificate / William Sweetman, 1867
Document, paper. Commission certificate of William Sweetman as First Lieutenant in the Professional Navy of the Fenian Brotherhood of America. Dated April 8th, 1867. Signed John Powell. Torn at top.
letter / United Irishman, New York, 1902
Letter written by Jeremiah O'Donovan Rossa. Headed in print "The United Irishman, 15, Yandewater Street, New York". February 14th 1902. Addressed to Captain William Sweetman and signed Jeremiah O'Donovan Rossa.
testimonial / Erin's Hope, 1867
Contemporary copy of testimonial to Captain J. Kavanagh, Lieutenant William Sweetman and Ensign H. O'Neill, by members of the Fenian Brotherhood of America on board the ship Erin's Hope off Donegal Bay, May 24th 1867.
medal / Charles Stewart Parnell
Medalet, brass. Charles Stewart Parnell. Bust of Parnell, around - Charles S. Parnell M.P.; below, W.T. PARKES. Reverse: harp and Irish crown with rays above, around in rays HOME RULE. Below shamrock.
engraving / Carolan, The Celebrated Irish Bard
Framed engraving from a painting. "Carolan, the celebrated Irish Bard". From the engraving by J. Rogers. In frame with black and gilt glass. Frame is black with a gilded outer and inner border. With handwritten note on the back "From Rev. Canon Carolan, P.P., Mellifont, to the National Museum,...
tray / Irish Volunteers, 1780
Tray, painted iron, commemorating the Irish Volunteers struggle for Free Trade, c. 1780. In the centre in a circle a representation as inscription. The central group surrounded by rings painted in imitation of inlaid woods, an oval of mahogany outlined by bands of satin wood, ring wood, etc....
pamphlet / Accurate Report of the Proceedings of the Very Reverend Theobold Mathew in Dublin in the cause of Temperance
Pamphlet. Accurate Report of the Proceedings of the Very Reverend Theobold Mathew in Dublin in the cause of Temperance. Dublin, 1840. With handwritten cover 'Father Mathew in Dublin 1840 6 Days'.
Address / Archibald Hamilton Rowan
Printed address. Address to Archibald Hamilton Rowan by the Working Manufacturers and the reply by A.H. Rowan. Dated Newgate, 28th February 1794.
roman missal / Missale Romanum, 1777
Missal. "Missale Romanum, ex Decreto Sacrosancti concilii Trindentini Restitutum, Pii V Pont. Max. Junu Editum, et Clementis VIII Prirnum, nunc denuo Urban Papae VIII. Auctorite Recognitum. Et novorum fertorum minis hucusque concevis auctum. His accedunt ferta, quae ex indulto apostolico in regno...
marker / Missale Romanum
Missal. "Missale Romanum, ex Decreto Sacrosancti concilii Trindentini Restitutum, Pii V Pont. Max. Junu Editum, et Clementis VIII Prirnum, nunc denuo Urban Papae VIII. Auctorite Recognitum. Et novorum fertorum minis hucusque concevis auctum. His accedunt ferta, quae ex indulto apostolico in regno...
/ Duke of Leinster
Jug. Transfer printed in Dublin. Glazed pottery; Staffordshire cream-ware; transfer printed in puce, bust of the Duke of Leinster & Leinster (& verse); inscribed. Straight neck and pear-shaped body. The neck painted with a floral wreath in reddish brown, on one side of the body a transfer-print in...