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 / Irish Volunteers parading, pre-1916
Postcard photograph. The Revolt of Sinn Feiners in Ireland. Sinn Feiners parading through the Streets before the Rebellion. Irish Volunteers parading in Dublin, 1914 to 1916. Song lyrics handwritten on reverse. Published by Valentines of Dublin. Printed in Scotland.
photograph / Irish National Volunteers, c. 1915
Postcard photograph; The National Volunteers, Group of Commanders.
cap / Monteith, Casement's Brigade, 1916
Captain Robert Monteith's cap, of Casement's Irish Brigade. Part of a set of uniforms belonging to Captain Monteith as an Officer of Casement's Brigade.
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...
whistle / Dick McKee
Officer's whistle which was the property of Dick McKee. Used by him from 1914 to 1916. 'Patent'.
postcard photograph / P.T. Reynolds, 1915
Postcard photograph of P.T. Reynolds in Irish Volunteer uniform, c. 1915.
photograph / Irish Volunteers, 1914-1916
Photograph of Irish Volunteers on parade, wearing civilian clothes with bandoliers. Piper band visible to the right. Pre 1916 Rising.
letter / Eamon de Valera, 1915
Holograph letter from Patrick Pearse to Eamon de Valera regarding his appointment to the command of the 3rd Battalion, Dublin Brigade, March 11, 1915. It was handed to de Valera while walking in Kildare Street where Irish Volunteer Headquarters were situated. 'A chara, At last night's meeting of...
cup / Enniscorthy, 1916
A ladle used in bullet making, Enniscorthy, 1916. Distorted metal cup, or container attached to metal rod, used to pour molten metal or lead into moulds to manufacture ammunition.
photostat / Tralee Battalion, Kerry Brigade, Irish Volunteers, 1914
Photostatic copy of a photograph of a parade of the Tralee Battalion, Kerry Brigade, Irish Volunteers in the market, on 14 June 1914. Showing four companies marching past in lines of two ranks, B Company in front, followed by C, A and D companies. In left middle distance, taking salute is...
bill / Joseph Plunkett, 1915
Hotel bill, Barcelona, 30 March 1915, in the name of Joseph Oplmscep, an alias of Joseph Plunkett, when on his way to Germany to negotiate the acquisition of arms for the Rising.
photograph / Midland Volunteer Force, Athlone, September 1913
Photograph of the Committee of the Midland Volunteer Force, Athlone, September 1913. Pictured in the back row left to right is Peter O'Brien, Alfred Warby, Sean O'Mullany and Patsy Downey. In the front row left to right is R. Michael Curley, James Gough and Patrick Croghan.
photograph / Midland Volunteer Force, September 1913
Photograph of a group of Midland Volunteer Force (Irish Volunteers), Athlone, September 1913. Showing Sean O'Mullany, (Honouable Secretary) with notebook collecting from James Gough, offering a coin. Others in picture left to right are R. Michael Curley, Patrick Croghan and Alfred Warby.
book / William Partridge, 1916 Rising
A book of Dublin Corporation reports which Councillor William P. Partridge carried under his arm when he was sent by James Connolly on an important mission to Tralee a week previous to Easter Sunday 1916. Concealed in the book where layers of bullets and some secret documents. Section cut out of...
membership card / William Partridge, Irish Citizen Army
William Partridge's Membership card for the Irish Citizen Army, belonging to William Partridge, 1914 to 1915. Address listed as 13 Brookfield Road, Kilmainham. Found inside the Dublin Corporation reports book which Councillor William P. Partridge carried under his arm when he was sent by James...hotel bill / Joseph Plunkett, 1915
Hotel bill, Genoa, 1 April 1915. In name of Mr. Plumresck, an alias of Joseph Plunkett when on his way to Germany to negotiate the acquisition of arms for the Rising. Notes in his handwriting on the back of this suggest a visit to an Art Gallery. They read Uffizi di credi/Ann/Venus/Val. Gio...hotel bill / Joseph Plunkett, 1915
Hotel bill, Florence, for 2 April 1915. In name of Mr. E. Plynzcejo, an alias of Joseph Plunkett when on his way to negotiate for the acquisition of arms in Germany for the Rising.
holster / Con Colbert, 1916
Captain Con Colbert's Webley & Scott automatic pistol. It was given by him to a friend, a short time before Easter Week, 1916. Serial No. 115555.
knife (weapon) / Liam Mellows
A dagger made to a design of Liam Mellows. It was made by James Lynam, a Fenian Blacksmith of Athlone. The idea was that it could be used as a "sgian dubh" which could be carried in the stocking of the Fianna Éireann uniform. Liam gave it to Mr C.G. Seavers, when the latter got the first pair of...