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.
daguerrotype / Michael William Balfe
Daguerrotype, photographic portrait of a Michael William Balfe, the Irish composer of music. Bust, head and body slightly placed to the left. In a plush-lined leather case, stamped outside in gilt. Case 2 3/8s by 2 3/8s inches. 1840 to 1850.
cameo / Thomas Davis
Plaque; portrait bust of Thomas Davis, carved ivory on oval plaque of carnelian. Probably Irish, third quarter of 19th century
memorandum / John Maddock, Dublin, 1758
Certificate of Freedom of the City of Dublin (memorandum), granted by birth to John Maddock, Chrictmas Assembly, 26 January 1758.
programme / Theatre Royal, 1842
Play bill on satin, Theatre Royal, Dublin, 15th June 1842. The Comedy "The Jealous Wife" in which Helen Faucit was to make her last appearance but two, and the farce "The Bee Hive". In Aid of the Distressed Widows and Brethren of hte Masonic Order.
engraving / Rotunda Ball, 1814
Gentleman's ticket to a ball at the Rotunda, Dublin, under the patronage of His Excellency the Lord Lieutenant and Her Grace the Duchess of Dorset, on the 16th August 1814. To commemorate the centenary of the reign of the House of Hanover in England, and the birthday of the Prince Regent. ...
badge / United Irishmen / Lord Edward Fitzgerald
Badge of the United Irishmen, taken from the body of Lord Edward Fitzgerald. Dark green ribbon badge, with embroidered with gold thread with lettering 'United by Friendship', within an oval suspended by a riband and with wreath underneath. A piece of paper adherred to the front reads 'Taken from...
membership card / Loyal National Repeal Association
Loyal National Repeal Association membership card. Made out in the name of Mr Thomas Connor. Dated 19 January 1846. Signed Thomas Mathew Ray (print) as Secretary.
membership card / Loyal National Repeal Association of Ireland, 1844
Loyal National Repeal Association of Ireland card, dated 19th February 1844. Of Mr Peter Jordan.
token / Royal Dublin Society
Admission ticket, brass, Royal Dublin Society. Admission for one. Depiction of Brittannica, with a Maid of Erin harp to the side. 'Nostri Plena Laboris' around top.
rattle / London, 1780
Watchman's rattle, wooden, marked 'B.P. 28'. English, late 18th or early 19th century. Label attached reads 'Mile End, London 130 years old'. c.1780.
prison art / Le Ardy, Napoleonic Wars
French Prisoner of War model ship. "Le Ardy" 58 gunner, Three-masted war ship of bone and wood. Prisoner art, early 19th century, period of the Napoleonic Wars. Set on wooden stand.
photograph / Court House, Port Elizabeth
Photograph of the Court House at Port Elizabeth, South Africa, where investigations into the murder of James Carey by Patrick O'Donnell occured. Presented on 14 Feb. 1912 by F.W. Fitzsimmons, Director Port Elizabeth Museum.
certificate of service / Daniel Shea, Royal Navy, 1860s
Parchment certificate of the services of Daniel Shea in the Royal Navy. No. 61, giving description G.C. badges, medals and ships served on.
service certificate / Daniel Shea, Royal Navy, 1863
Parchment certificate of service of Daniel Shea, Royal Navy, No.61, giving dates of service and ships served on, with comment on conduct. Dated 26 May 1863. Certificate numbered 6161.
certificate of service / Daniel Shea, 1858
Royal National Lifeboat Institution Certificate presented to Daniel Shea. 'At a meeting of the Committee of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution for the Preservation of Life from Shipwreck held at their offices, London, on the 2nd day of December 1858 the following was ordered to be recorded...
medal / Suppression of Whiteboyism
Medal, bronze. Suppression of Whiteboyism. Made for distribution by the Earl of Mulgrave to the Gentry and Constabulary who were engaged in the suppression of Whiteboy activities in 1837. Obverse depicts an armed warrior standing with foot on head of a dragon; the warrior is crowned by a flying...
drawing / William Mossop
Copper plate etching of William Mossop. Head in outline to the right. Together with a letter from Dr Aquilla Smith to Dr Frazer, presenting him with the etched copper plate of Mossop.
miniature / Lord Edward Fitzgerald, 1777
Miniature in watercolours of Lord Edward Fitzgerald, at the age of 11; bust, head to the left, dressed in a red coat. Written label on back says: "Sketched by his sister Lady Sophia Fitzgerald May 1777 - just 21 years before his death."
miniature frame / Lord Edward Fitzgerald
Miniature in watercolours of Lord Edward Fitzgerald, at the age of 11; bust, head to the left, dressed in a red coat. Written label on back says: "Sketched by his sister Lady Sophia Fitzgerald May 1777 - just 21 years before his death."