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.
medal / Daniel O'Connell
One of a collection of five medals relating to or commemorating Daniel O'Connell. Bronze. Medal, bronze, by Isaac Parkes. Commemorating the election of Daniel O'Connell and E.S. Ruthven (Edward Southwell Ruthven) as M.P.s for the City of Dublin in 1832. Obverse depicts a bust of O'Connell facing...
life ring / Lusitania, 1915
Life-buoy, from the steamship "Lusitania" of the Cunard Line, torpedoed off Queenstown by a German Submarine on the 7th May, 1915. The buoy was picked up 72 miles NNW off the Fastnet Light, a fortnight after the disaster, by the Dublin Steam Trawler "Dean Swift". Given by R.J. Richardson Esq. Sec,...
letter / Daniel O'Connell. Richmond Barracks, 1844
Handwritten letter, signed Daniel O'Connell. Richmond Barracks, 19 July 1844, to the Mayor of Waterford. Regarding sending a proof of a likeness of O'Connell, by Carrick, which will be sent to the Mayor.
ladle / Fenian Rising, 1867
Iron ladle, blacksmith made, used for making bullets by the Fenian insurgents in 1867. Circular bowl, straight handle, stamped 'Whitfield' on the back. It formerly belonged to the donor's father, a Mr Warren, who was Attorney General around that time.
life vest / Lusitania, 1915
Life jacket, from the steamship "Lusitania" of the Cunard Line, torpedoed off Queenstown by a German Submarine on the 7th May, 1915.
commemorative medal / United Irish League / Redmond
United Irish League medal, bronze. Two hands clasped above 'United Irish League', and 'God Save Ireland' below. On the reverse is a bust of John Redmond within a shamrock wreath. Diameter 1 1/4".
note / Giuseppe Garibaldi
Note on paper with signature or autograph of Giuseppe Garibaldi, Italian general and politician, July 1807 to June 2, 1882. Dated 30 March 1878.
letter / Charles Dodgson
Autograph of Charles Dodgson (Lewis Carroll), author, January 1832 to January 1898. The bottom part of a black bordered letter, probably a letter of sympathy, with his signature, dated May 14 (no year).
oar / Lusitania, 1915
Oar, cut short, branded 'Lusitania'. From the steamship 'Lusitania' of the Cunard Line, torpedoed off Queenstown by a German Submarine on the 7th May, 1915. Picked up by the donor off the Kilkee coast, Co. Clare on or about the 20th August, 1915. Length 202cm x width 12.7cm
souvenir / Daniel O'Connell, Manual of Catholic Piety
Prayer book inscribed by Daniel O'Connell. Manual of Catholic Piety &c by Rev. W. Gahan, Dublin. J. Duffy 1844, containing on page 74 a parayer for Daniel O'Connell. Bound in black leather; the arms of O'Connell in gilt tooling. With inscription on fly leaf; 'From Daniel O'Connell to his fellow...
cap / Daniel O'Connell 'Repeal' Cap
O'Connell's 'Repeal' Cap, green velvet embroidered with gold-lace shamrocks; gold lace tassel; button on top with crowned harp and motto: 'God Save the Queen. Repeal of the Union'. This is the cap with which Daniel O'Connell was crowned at Mullaghmast in 1843, by it's designer John Hogan. It is...
hat box / Daniel O'Connell, Repeal Cap, 1843
Hat box of Daniel O'Connell's Repeal cap. An octagonal wooden box with impressed name of ''O'Connell' on lid. Also contains a label reading 'Jas. Haybyrne, Hairdresser' and verse referring to O'Connell as the 'Liberator'. A poem dedicated to O'Connell the Liberator handwritten in ink on paper...
death mask / Sir Frederic Burton
Death mask, plaster, of the late Sir Frederic Burton, taken after death by Mr. Hughes, R.H.A. of Dublin. Sir Frederic Burton was born in 1816, was Director of the National Gallery, London, 1874 to 1894, and died in 1900. Given by Mrs. B. Burton.
cuff / Royal Irish Constabulary
Pair of handcuffs, iron. Royal Irish Constabulary. Hinged at centre of lower part and also at side of upper 76 stamped on outside of upper part and 2 on lower. Probably Royal Irish Constabulary, 19th century. Found near Christchurch Cathedral.
letter / Theobald Matthew, 1844
Holograph- Letter from Theobald Matthew (Father Mathew) to a Mrs Carlisle at Londonderry, from Cork, dated 11th October 1844. An acknowledgement of a letter of condolence.
letter / Tinnehinch, 1806
Holograph Letter by Henry Grattan at Tinnehinch, dated 28 August 1806. The donor, Mr Grattan, states that the letter was addressed to the Reverend William Grattan, Rector of Edenderry, King's County (Offaly). Both of these were collateral ancestors of the donor. Letter presented to the Provisional...
photograph / Parnell Banner, 1890
Photograph of the Parnell Banner, c. 1890. Designed by Walter Crane and shown at the London Arts & Crafts Exhibition in 1890. Removed to the National League Builings in Dublin in 1890, according to a copy of Parnell's letter of 27 Novemeber 1890. It was to have been transferred to the Mansion House...
button / 1831
One of two buttons, gilt. In centre OST above, clasped hands and below 1831. On back, E. JONES 2 CORK HILL. Dublin, 1831.
button / 1831
One of two buttons, gilt. In centre OST above, clasped hands and below 1831. On back, E. JONES 2 CORK HILL. Dublin, 1831.