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.
plate / Coalisland, Co. Tyrone, 1916
Enamelled plate said to have been carried by Irish Volunteers to Coalisland, Co. Tyrone in 1916. 8.5 inches in diameter, white with blue rim and Swedish maker's stamp on bottom.
souvenir / Reading Jail, 1916
Fork brought from Reading Jail, 1916, as a souvenir. Metal, 7.5 inches in overall length, stamped with DON, L, S, BP and with the numbers 7 over 16.
prison autograph album / Frongoch, 1916
Autograph album kept in Frongoch Internment Camp in 1916. Includes entries from Brian Ó hUiginn, M.J. O'Connor, J.J. Scollan, Domhnall Ó Buachalla, Michael Mac Stáin, Garry Holohan, Sean McLoughlin, Eamonn T. Dore, Proinsias Ó Fathaigh, Seamus Ua Tallamhain, Garróid Ó Beoláin, Oscar Traynor etc.
shell casing / Phibsboro railway bridge, 1916
Portion of shell case, which tore the clothes of Mr Albert Bigger at Doyle's Corner, Phibsboro. The shell was fired from the Phoenix Park at a party of Irish Volunteers who were attempting to blow up the railway bridge at Phibsboro towards the middle of Easter Week, 1916.
1916 Medal / Charles D'Arcy
Charles D'Arcy's (Darcy) 1916 Service Medal. In presentation case, the recipient's name and '22' engraved on reverse, with compliments card. Charles was a member of the Irish Citizen Army and was killed on Tuesday 25 April at City Hall, aged 15. Given to the National Museum by 15 year old Charles'...
card / Charles D'Arcy, 1916
Memoriam card of Charles D'Arcy (Darcy) of 4 Murphy's Cottages, Dublin. 'Killed in action Easter Week 1916, aged 15 years'. Charles was a member of the Irish Citizen Army and was killed on Tuesday 25 April at City Hall. Given to the National Museum by 15 year old Charles' mother, Elizabeth Darcy.
reference / Charles D'Arcy, 1916
Reference for Charles D'Arcy (Darcy), Irish Citizen Army member killed on Tuesday 25 April 1916 in the attack on City Hall, aged 15. Reference dated 27 May 1914 from an A. Scully, the Head Master of the Pro-Cathedral Schools, Lower Rutland Street. ...
statement / Kilmainham Gaol, 3 May 1916
A manuscript copy of Thomas MacDonagh's last testament and letter, said to have been smuggled out of Kilmainham Gaol on the eve of MacDonagh's execution by a Mr Butler, a prisoner there at that time. Two pages, three written pages in total.
rifle / Ballivor, Co. Meath
Lee Enfield carbine rifle , R.I.C., c.1910. Royal Irish Constabulary carbine captured at Ballivor, Co. Meath. Lee Enfield Serial No. 4445. Stamped on brass plate on butt "2. 05/R.I.C./9022". Traces of inscription in wood. "Ballivor" cut into wood at other side of butt. RIC police number 7878....
sketch / Thomas Kent, Cork Military Detention Barracks, 1916
Sketch of Thomas Kent's Cell. Sketch made by Matthew Barry in 1922. It shows the remains of the prison cell in which Thomas Kent was up to the moment of his execution. The sketch was made after the attempted blowing up of Cork Military Detention barracks in August 1922.
souvenir / Battle of Mount Street, 1916
1916 Mount Street Bridge Battle memento. Two bullets (with splinters) fired into 21 Northumberland Road on the Wednesday of Easter Week, 1916. The British regiments suffered very heavy losses in this locality.
key / National Aid Association, 1917
A key given by Michael Collins to Leo P. Lawlor in 1917. It was used for the Offices of the National Aid Association. Michael Collins was appointed Secretary of the Association shortly after his release from Frongoch and the knowledge acquired in his new position was of great service to him in...
box / William Partridge, 1916
William Partridge's rosary beads and case on which he used to recite the Rosary to his comrades in the College of Surgeons during Easter Week 1916. The scene was described by Countess Markievicz in her poem: "To a Comrade". Set of small brown wooden beads, some carved, with a brass...
last letter / Kilmainham, 7 May 1916
The last letter of Con Colbert to his sister Lila. Written from Kilmainham Gaol on the eve of his execution 7 May 1916. Colbert wrote a series of letters to family members, having chosen not to receive visits.
prison art / In Memory or Capt. Séan Connolly Killed 1916
Memento or memorial of Séan Connolly carved in bone in Frongoch 1916. 14 inches high, carved in the shape of an openwork monstrance with the legend IN MEMORY/OF/CAPT. SÉAN/CONNOLLY/KILLED 1916 cut into the stand. In the centre an abstract depiction of the Trinity, around in the openwork a crown of...
relic / William Pearse, 1916
A straight razor and case which belonged to William Pearse. It was left at Keogh’s Haircutting Rooms for sharpening at 30 Upper Camden Street shortly before Easter 1916 and never called for.
cricket bat / Elvery's, O'Connell Street, 1916 Rising
Cricket bat with a .303 bullet embedded in front section, shot while it was on display in the window of Elvery's shop premises in Sackville Street, Dublin, during the 1916 Rising combat. Inscribed in ink 'Easter Week 1916' beside bullet. Also 'From front window'.
cross / Amiens Street, 1916
Crucifix with shrapnel damage from an explosion which damaged the room at 59 Amiens Street, Dublin, during the Easter Rising.
coat / Dómhnall Ó Buachalla, 1916
Jacket belonging to Dómhnall Ó Buachalla. Irish made. Worn by Ó Buachalla during Easter Week and while interned in Frongoch afterwards, 1916. With a bullet hole through the left shoulder, front and back, received at the end of Easter Week in the Drumcondra area.