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.
anniversary card / Thomas Kent
Card commemorating the First Anniversary of the execution of Thomas Kent. Reads - I gcuimhne ar Thomas R. Ceannt (In Memory of Thomas R. Kent), Commandant, Cork Brigade I.R.A., Who Died for Ireland 9th May 1916.
souvenir / Con Colbert, Irish Volunteers, 1916
An Irish Volunteer button from Captain Con Colbert's tunic. An I.V. button which has been re-formed into a badge, set onto a tricolour ribbon, in commemoration. Presented in a Hopkins & Hopkins Goldsmith's (Dublin) jewllers box of blue velvet.
relic / Séan Mac Diarmada, 1916
Séan Mac Diarmada's pocket watch. Given to Barney Mellows by Séan Mac Diarmada in Room 46 of Richmond Barracks before his execution on 8 May 1916. Inscribed afterwards with 'VIII/V/1916'.
picture postcard / No Rest for that Brute Maxwell, 1916
Pictorial postcard. 'No Rest for that Brute Maxwell'.
last letter / J.J. Heuston, Kilmainham, 1916
Contemporary copy of letter, one sheet, written in pencil. Headed "Kilmainham Prison, Sunday, May 7, 1916." Directed to "Mr. Walsh" and signed "J.J. Heuston". (Sean Heuston). Copy of "last letter" written by J.J. Heuston. Copy presented to Miss Sarah Betts of Bride Street, Dublin.
poster / William J. Pearse
Poster with photograph of William J. Pearse, "Executed May 4th 1916". By Keogh Brothers. Printed by O'Loughlin, Murphy & Boland, Dublin.
letter / General Maxwell, 2 May 1916
Letter from Patrick Pearse to General Maxwell, General Commanding the British Forces in Ireland, from Kilmainham Gaol, dated 2 May 1916. Requesting that his statements regarding his financial affairs and unpublished poems, along with his personal possessions, are passed to his mother or sister.
last letter / Kilmainham Gaol, 7 May 1916
Last letter written by Seán Heuston before his execution, Manuscript letter, one sheet, written in pencil. Addressed from Kilmainham Prison, Sunday, May 7, 1916. Directed to Mr. Walsh, a colleague of Heuston's, probably at the Great Southern and Western Railway, regarding arrangements for his...
last letter / Eamon de Valera, 1916
Eamon de Valera last letter, 1916. Contemporary manuscript copy of letter written by Eamon De Valera on 9 May 1916 (incorrectly dated to 4 May on this, and other known contemporary copies) to Michael Ryan at Cashel.
souvenir / Joseph Plunkett, 1916
Joseph Mary Plunkett's rosary beads, given by him to Sergeant W. Hand of the Sherwood Foresters, a member of the firing squad which executed him. Hand in turn gave it to his cousin, Dora, before going to France where he was killed in 1918.
shirt / James Connolly, 1916
Shirt belonging to James Connolly, worn during the week of the 1916 Rising. Bloodstained.
relic / Michael O'Hanrahan
Button taken from uniform of Michael O'Hanrahan on night before execution, 3 May 1916, and given by him to his sisters Eily and Cis in his cell at Kilmainham Gaol. Irish Volunteer tunic button, brass, set in brass frame as a relic, for 'Captain Micéal O'Hannracáin, executed 4th May 1916'. Reverse...
commemorative medal / HE:EWL.21a
One of a set of four bronze medals commemorating the death of Roger Casement, August 1916. Bust of Roger Casement of obverse, reverse with female representations of Ireland and Germany, 'Irland und Deutschland Ver Intin Leiden'.
commemorative medal / HE:EWP.21
One of a set of four bronze medals commemorating the death of Roger Casement, August 1916. Bust of Roger Casement of obverse, reverse with female representations of Ireland and Germany 'Irland und Deutschland Ver Intin Leiden'.
commemorative medal / HE:EWL.21b
One of a set of four bronze medals commemorating the death of Roger Casement, August 1916. Obverse depicts Roger Casement being hung, with 'Roger Casement' below, and 'Englands Tatendrang' around. Reverse 'Edward III Tote Hand Legt Den Strang Vm Irenland'. With '1351' in reference to the Treason...
commemorative medal / HE:EWP.22
One of a set of four bronze medals commemorating the death of Roger Casement, August 1916. Obverse depicts Roger Casement being hung, with 'Roger Casement' below, and 'Englands Tatendrang' around. Reverse 'Edward III Tote Hand Legt Den Strang Vm Irenland'. With '1351' in reference to the Treason...
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.
kit / Laura Daly, 1916
First Aid outfit given by Commandant Edward Daly to his sister Laura Daly on the morning of his execution at Kilmainham Gaol. Cloth bag, c. 5 x 3.25 inches, printed black on outside "First Field Dressing"...etc. Contents - gauze and wool pad. Printed decorations. Date Feb. 1912 printed and...
relic / Michael O'Hanrahan, 1916
Button taken from uniform of Michael O'Hanrahan on night before execution, 3 May 1916, and given by him to his sisters Eily and Cis in his cell at Kilmainham Gaol. Irish Volunteer tunic button, green leather, set in brass frame as a relic, for Captain Micéal O'Hannracáin, executed 4th May 1916....