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.
photograph / Dáil Éireann, 1919
Printed poster with photograph of Dáil Éireann, 1st Session, 21/1/19 (An Chéad Tionól), with individual photographs of each member.
last letter / Kilmainham Gaol, 7 May 1916
The last letter of Éamonn Ceannt to his countrymen. Addressed from Cell 88, Kilmainham Gaol, 7 May 1916. It was smuggled out uncensored and given to Mrs. Áine Ceannt early the next day.
prison art / Ballykinlar Camp, 1920-1921
A macrame work tea-cosy made by an internee in Ballykinlar Internment Camp, 1920-1921.
badge / Irish Volunteers
Irish Volunteer cap badge. Cross in centre. Around "Óglaigh na h-Éireann". Drong Muigeo Tear.
writing case / Ned Daly
Commandant Ned Daly's writing case. A writing case given to Mrs L. O'Gorman of Cumann na mBan, by Commandant Ned Daly when he put her in charge of the Father Matthew Hall First Aid Station Easter Week 1916. The case is said to be stained with the blood of Volunteers Seán Hurley and Seán Howard who...
manacle / Seán Hogan, Knocklong, 1919
Knocklong Rescue, handcuffs, 1919. This pair of handcuffs were on Seán Hogan when he was rescued by Dan Breen at Knocklong Station, May 14th 1919.
prison mug / Countess Markievicz
Mug (and spoon), Prison Commission, used by Countess Markievicz during her second imprisonment by the British (1918). They were subsequently given by her to the Irish Citizen Army Theatrical Class. The mug was damaged during the Black and Tan Raid on Liberty Hall.
prison biscuit / Frank Murray, Fianna Éireann, 1916
The Prisoners Biscuit, 1916. A biscuit of the kind given to prisoners in the Royal Dublin Society grounds in Ballsbridge and at Richmond Barracks, Easter 1916. The owner writes "they were so very hard that few of us could eat them". Given to Frank Murray at Richmond Barracks. At the time, he was...
newspaper / The Workers' Republic, 22 April 1916
Last published issue of 'The Workers' Republic', dated Saturday April 22, 1916.
book / Ernest Cavanagh
Ernest Cavanagh's cartoons. A book of political cartoons by Ernest Cavanagh, or 'E.K.', of The Workers Republic newspaper. Cover depicts cartoon of the 'Redmond O'Brien Press Gang', an anti-conscription piece. Published circa 1918. Included inside is a slip of paper with a verse, typed, entitled...
postcard / Wolfe Tone Monument
Postcard drawn by Ernest Cavanagh of 'The Workers' Republic'. Depicting Theobald Wolfe Tone. Such postcards were sold for the purpose of raising funds for the Wolfe Tone Monument.
prison art / Countess Markievicz, Ballykinlar Camp, 1920-1921
Countess Markievicz, coloured reproduction of painting of. The original by B. Szankowski, Paris 1901, is in the Municipal Gallery. This reproduction is in a frame which was made by an internee in Ballykinlar Camp.
prison art / Billy Reilly, Ballykinlar Camp, 1920 - 1921
Ballykinlar, Seán Milroy sketch. Water colour sketch of Commandant Billy Reilly by Sean Milroy in Ballykinlar Camp, 1920-1921.
journal / The Rough Tough Truth
Copy of 'The Rough Tough Truth -a Journal of Uncommon Sense' Dundalk Jail. Vol 1. no 1. This Journal contains many amusing references to the late Terence MacSwiney who was a prisoner in the jail at the time, June 1918. Also an account in Irish of the marriage of Diarmuid Ua Loinsigh, which took...
prison autograph album / Rath Camp, Curragh, c. 1921
Curragh Camp. Autograph album from the Rath Camp Curragh. Of P.J. Treacy. The album contains of a foreword written in Irish from Father Pat Smith (Meath) and names from every county in Ireland. The Commandant of the camp was Peadar Mac Mahon (Ministry of Defence). There were 1200 men in this Camp....
rifle / Jack Byrne, Fianna Éireann
One of the American Boy Scout rifles of the type used by boys of Fianna Éireann. The boys subscribed and purchased their own weapons. The cost price was about 35/-. Considerable financial support for the Fianna Organisation came from honorary members who comprised the fathers and friends of the...
starting handle / The O'Rahilly, 1916
The starting handle of The O'Rahilly's car. The starting handle of The O'Rahilly's green Ford Touring Car, which he drove to O'Connell Street on Easter Monday. Witnesses last saw the old car being used as a barricade in Princes' Street outside the General Post Office during the 1916 Rising.
photograph / Byrne Brothers, Fianna Eireann
Fianna boys, photograph of. Three sons of the lender - Messrs. Peter, Jack and Frank Byrne. All three acted as messengers in Easter Week. The placard "Our Country Ireland needs us" was in oposition to the British Recruiting Posters "Your King and Country Need You".
cap badge / Irish Volunteers, Jacob's, 1916
An Irish Volunteer cap badge worn by a Volunteer in Jacob's Easter Week 1916.