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.
first aid tin / Christina Hayes, Fr Matthew Hall, 1916 Rising
A First Aid outfit, 1916. Taken with other things by Miss Christina Hayes (now Mrs Liam O'Gorman) when mobilised on Easter Monday, when she was put in charge of the Father Matthew Hall First Aid Station by the late Commandant Ned Daly. About 32 men attended at this station. Pocket First Aid,...
table / Liberty Hall, 1916 Rising
The table on which the leaders had their last meal (breakfast) on Easter Monday 1916 before marching out of Liberty Hall. The proofs for the Proclamation were also set out on this table. Information from Mrs Nellie Gifford Donnelly. An oak trestle table top, with one trestle.
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 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...
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.
relic / Thomas Clarke, Portland Prison, 1898
Thomas Clarke's razor and hone. the razor and hone which belonged to Thomas Clarke, First President of the Irish Republic. The razor is one which he got on leaving Portland Prison in 1898 and used every day until Easter Monday 1916. The hone was acquired at a later period. Mrs. Kathleen Clarke...
1916 Proclamation / 1916 Proclamation
An original Proclamation. Printed Easter Week 1916. Proclamation is endorsed by the original printers: M.J. Molloy, Compositor, Liam O'Briain, Compositor, Christopher Brady, Printer. On the back are the signatures of eleven of the prisoners in Mountjoy dated 19th May 1916. The printing press of the...
will / 1916 Rising
Last Will and Testament of Arthur Griffith. handwritten by him at 121 Laurence Road, Clontarf, and dated April 27th 1916, the Thursday of the Easter Week rebellion.
Sam Browne belt / Countess Markievicz, 1916
Sam Brown belt. Brown leather with brass fittings. Worn by Countess Constance Markievicz, along with a bandolier, as Commandant in Irish Citizen Army during Easter Week, 1916 and afterwards.
bandolier / Countess Markievicz, 1916
Bandolier, brown leather. Worn by Countess Constance Markievicz, along with a Sam Browne belt, as Commandant in Irish Citizen Army during Easter Week 1916 and afterwards.
last letter / Kilmainham, 1916
The last letter of Patrick Pearse to his mother, Margaret Pearse. Original, handwritten in ink. Dated 3rd May 1916, from Kilmainham Jail.
yard stick / Four Courts, 1916
Four Courts, a black wooden office ruler. Cylindrical found after the 1916 Rebellion. Marks on one end presumably made when ruler used for breaking glass in windows to prepare for rifle fire.
field glasses / Battle of Ashbourne, 1916
Pair of field glasses used by the Fingal Volunteers at the Battle of Ashbourne, 1916. They were found hidden in a ditch after the action. The witness statement of Colonel Joseph V. Lawless, who fought with the Fingal Brigade at the Battle of Ashbourne, confirms that these field glasses belonged to...
collection card / Irish Volunteers Dependants' Fund, 1917
Collection card of the Irish Volunteers Dependants' Fund. First entry dated 18 January 1917.
vest / James Connolly, 1916
Vest belonging to James Connolly, worn during the week of the 1916 Rising. Bloodstained.
flag / Fianna Éireann, B Company
Flag of B Company, Fianna Éireann. Organised by Liam Mellows. Liam Mellows was the first captain, followed by Con Colbert. The flag designed by Colbert in 1915. Lettering was in gold. In a blue field 'Fianna Éireann' over a yellow rayed sunburst enclosing Company/B. The reverse has a plain yellow...
Easter card / Thomas Ashe - Easter Greetings, 1918
Postcard or greeting card, with picture of Thomas Ashe - Easter Greetings 1918, received by Sean Prendergast from 'The Little Countess' (Markeivecz). Published by Fergus O'Connor.
message / John Devoy, 1917
Arthur Griffith, message written in pencil. Dublin, 18 January, 1917. Message written by Arthur Griffith to John Devoy, Editor of "The Gaelic American". This document was never published. The message asks for support from the U.S. Government in fighting British rule.
tricolour / Mendicity Institute, 1916
Tricolour flag, ex Mendicity Institute, 1916. Flag of green, white and orange (or orange white and green) arranged horizontally. Received in the Mendicity Institute Dublin immediately after the surrender in Easter Week 1916 by the father of Reverand M. L. Ferrar,- a medical officer who had been...