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.
print / John Foster, Speaker of the Irish House of Commons
Engraving of The Right Honourable John Foster, Speaker of the Irish House of Commons. Full length figure in robes, wig and knee breeches. Table with books to the right. Line engraving in black, mounted on card.
button / George IV, 1821
Two brass gilt buttons, commemorating the visit of George IV to Ireland in 1821. On front is 'Cead Mile Fáilte' with a struck crown over the royal monogram dividing the date 18 / 21. 'Ireland' below. Made by Murphy Ltd., of Bride Street, Dublin.
lease / Theatre Royal Dublin, 1825
Parchment pass. lease or indenture to the lands around the Theatre Royal, Dublin, to Benjamin Abbott of the City of Dublin, from Henry Harris, proprietor of the Theatre Royal Dublin. Dated 7 September, 1825. With red wax seal.
envelope / Daniel O'Connell, 1843
Envelope, mounted on card. Addressed to "Mrs O'Connell, Aghadda House, Cahirciveen", and signed by Daniel O'Connel in the lower left hand corner. Postal stamp; 30th March, 1843, Dublin. With a red penny unperforated stamp. Spread out for display, with one flap cut off.
seal / Provisional Government of the Irish Free State
Brass and steel dies of the seal of the Provisional Government of the Irish Free State. In the centre a shield bearing the arms of the four provinces, within the letter 'E'. Around 'Seala Rialtas Séaladaid na hÉireann', all within an eight rayed star with flames between. Mount stamped Rooney, 8...
tie pin / John O'Leary
Tie pin which belonged to John O'Leary. Connemara marble head mounted on a silver pin.
subscription card / Loyal National Repeal Association of Ireland, 1840s
Loyal National Repeal Association of Ireland subscribers card, blank with spaces for 20 names, addresses and boxes for ticking off their 1d p.w. subscription for 12 weeks
statue / King William III Equestrian
Miniature model of the King William III equestrian statue on College Green, Dublin, by Grinling Gibbons. Statue of full-length male figure on horseback, mounted on a pedestal, inscribed on each side, and enclosed by railings. 'King Wm III of Glorious Memory Born No. 4th 1650', 'Died March 8th...
medal / Boycott Expedition, 1880
Medal commemorating the expedition to relieve Captain Boycott, awarded to those who participated in 1880. 'The Boycott Expedition / Lough Mask / 1880' on obverse, 'In hounour of the Loyal and Brave Ulstermen' on reverse.
ink bottle / Daniel O'Connell, Conciliation Hall, 1840s
Inkstand. Bronze, oblong. Circa 1843. The four feet formed of Dolphins' heads, the tails extending along the sides. An anchor at back. In centre a depressed shell, two purple glass inkbottles, one at either side; having bronze lids and sitting into rope rings. Used by Daniel O'Connell in...
ceremonial trowel / Daniel O'Connell, Conciliation Hall, 1843
Trowel, steel. Black oak carved handle, and harp shamrocks. The blade engraved 'This trowel was used by Daniel O'Connell Esq. M.P. when laying the first stone of the Great Repeal Hall, Corn Exchange, Dublin, on Thursday 30th Day of March 1843'. Below written 'This is the actual trowel used by The...
medallion / Daniel O'Connell, 1842
Head, clay. Miniature, of Daniel O'Connell. On right side scratched W. IRELAND. On paper accompanying the head is written - "Medallion portrait of Daniel O'Connell taken in 1842, exhibited at the Great Exhibition, Dublin, 1853, on Stand No. 1018 in catalogue. Presented to T.M. Ray Esq. in the...
Fenian bond / $5, 1866
Fenian bond, for $5. Signed by John O'Mahony. Numbered 2932 and 69. Dated March 17th 1866.
print / Review of the Volunteers,Belfast, 1804
Framed photograph of oil painting: Review of the Volunteers in Belfast 27th August 1804. Titled 'Entry of Lord Hardwick into Belfast as Lord Lieutenant Review of the Volunteers, August 27th 1804. Size 13 7/8s" by 9 3/8s". Underneath is the text - The original picture was painted by Thomas...
seal-matrix / Seal of Kildare
Seal matrix of borough of Athy, circa 1800. Silver. Fixed in wooden handle, circular seal with hinged piece for holding. The face of the seal engraved with a castle, bridge and two coats-of-arms. Around:- SIGILLUM.BURG.DE.ATHY.IN.COM. KILDARE. Seal of Kildare, late 17th or early 18th century
membership certificate / Loyal Orange Association, 1918
Loyal Orange Association document, with seal impression and ribbons. Printed, partially completed in manuscript. New system No. 1282. Association of George Donaldson, with the Loyal Orange Lodge No. 1282, held in the 18th Cavan Regiment Band. Dated March 12th 1818.
print / Review of the Belfast Volunteers, 1804
Black and white draught of a key to Mr. Robinsons painting of the Belfast Volunteers and Yeomanry by the Lord Lieutenant Earl Hardwick 27th August 1804. The figures are numbered and named underneath. A note on the print says 'The background originally represented Donegall Place but the Artist...
freedom casket / Charles Stewart Parnell, Limerick City, 1880
Casket for the Freedom of Limerick which was presented to Charles Stewart Parnell in 1880. The casket is made of oak carved with Celtic designs and mounted with interlaced silver work. The lid is surmounted by a representation in silver of the coat of arms of Limerick City, a castle with two...
figure group / Daniel O'Connell
Group of figures. Plaster and wax, coloured. Daniel O'Connell in centre addressing thirteen peasants, male, female and children. Set onto a rectangular base.