gerardkenny

More stained glass (taken from outside looking in)

Holy Water holder :

Not technically a museum but I thought this might interest some here. This is hidden away in a Dublin suburb and opened to the public every year on Heritage week.

The Oratory of the Sacred Heart, Dun Laoghaire, Dublin, Ireland

At the end of World War One a town in Northern France donated a statue of the Sacred Heart to the parish of Kingstown (now Dun Laoghaire) to commemorate the many local Irishmen who had fought and died in Flanders during World War One. Irishmen who fought in the British Army during World War One did so for a wide variety of reasons, reasons which included the promise of Home Rule as a limited form of Irish Independence. While World War One raged on the continent the Irish Rising of 1916 took place in Ireland and led to the Irish War of Independence against Britain. Returning Irishmen in British Army uniform were now treated with suspicion while a new war was fought on Irish soil, waged by the Irish Republican Army against the forces of the British crown: Black and Tans, Auxilliaries, British Army and Royal Irish Constabulary. Of these returning Irishmen some joined the IRA, some fought again for the British forces, while most simply hid their medals and got on with their lives. In the new political climate the subject of commemoration of their sacrifice became contentious. The statue was offered by France and refused by the Christian Brothers and also the local parish church. Finally accepted by a sister in the Dominican Convent the statue was placed in an Oratory. Sister M.Concepta Lynch hand painted the wall behind the statue and the results were so impressive that she was asked to complete the rest of the Oratory, which she proceeded to do from 1920 until 1936 (in the style of the Gaelic revival, using the symbols of Early Irish Christian Art). The stained glass windows were provided by the famous Hary Clarke Studio of Dublin. This building is now preserved within an outer shell and is open to the public for a very limited period of time each year.

Stained glass by Harry Clarke Studio :

Indeed and by chance today is the 40th Anniversary of Bloody Sunday too. I must check out that bookshop, last time I was in there it was to purchase Irish language course material.

Those stories of people finding tunics etc crop up from time to time There have also been a couple of times recently where people found old grenades and weaponry under floorboards etc :

http://www.rte.ie/ne...817/dublin.html

I heard another story recently of a person who went around to old Garda stations and cleared out the attics. I don't have much detail but I'd have thought there'd be some RIC items in among that lot. I think there still are a lot of items out there waiting to be found. Civil War bitterness meant a lot of it would have been too painful to keep on display and I think some of that would have been put in storage and then forgotten about.

Thanks for posting! I have never been to the jail. Have you done the Sinn Fein walking tour of Dublin at all? Have you see n the new book on uniforms and badges of the IRB ?

Hi Ulsterman, glad you found them interesting & if you are ever in Dublin to do the Kilmainham tour on a weekend day give me a shout and I can head along. I don't have the book on badges & uniforms of the IRB you mentioned. I do have an osprey style one 'Irish Volunteer soldier 1913-23' but I don't think I have anything IRB specific.

I'd definitely recommend the Kilmainham Jail Museum visit if you get a chance. It is also walking distance from the Museum of Modern Art or Collins Barracks Military museum, (also the Islandbridge War Memorial gardens are just around the corner).

I have not done the 'Sinn Fein walking tour of Rebellion Dublin' though I pass by the signs for it regularly. Their hq is beside the Teachers club in Parnell St (where one of the two ongoing regular Dublin militaria meetings take place regularly).

There is a non-Sinn Fein 'Dublin 1916' walking tour which I have done (twice I think) a couple of years ago.

It's run by two guys, one of them Lorcan Collins I have met a few times at other events and is the author of this book :

http://www.1916rising.com/book.html

I'd recommend that tour and that book too as it is a handy enough reference book for a visit.

I think that tour 'Dublin 1916' places an overly heavy emphasis on the socialist aspect of things, ignoring the traditional Catholic non- or even anti-socialist aspect, but otherwise it's worth the time.

The guide is knowledgable and a good laugh.

Not to confuse things but there is ocassionally a totally different, limited tour which is run by the 'Save 16 Moore St.' Committee.

This group from time to time mount displays of very rare republican material relating to the Rising Leaders. Volunteer uniforms and private family items not in museums, this is in order to raise interest in the preservation of the Moore St buildings from a property developer who wants to put another shopping mall in that area.

This 'Save Moore St' committee (which I am not a member of) is composed of descendants of 1916 leaders and their tour of the urban battlefield of Dublin during the 1916 Rising is limited to the area behind the GPO onto moore St, where the rebels held out in, also around where the O'Rahilly was killed.

This tour given to prominent Irish politicians (& foreign visitors) to gather support for the preservation of the Moore St Rebel headquarters.

I participated in that tour when the guest politician was Irish 2011 Presidential candidate Martin McGuinness (there is also footage on youtube of the Enda Kenny & Brian Lenihan tours). I have put the photos of that (MMG) tour online here, though it's mostly pictures of a crowd of people & media you can work out the route as they are in sequence.

http://www.militaria-archive.com/independence/16moorest/index.html

Save 16 Moore Street - Irish Presidential Candidate Martin McGuinness & descendants of the 1916 Easter Rising Proclamation Signatories at the GPO Dublin, 21st October 2011

The 'Save 16 Moore Street Campaign' have provided guided tours to some of Ireland's leading politicians in recent years, including Brian Lenihan, Enda Kenny, and now Irish 2011 Presidential candidate Martin McGuinness. This group has no political bias and is open to all. On Friday 21st October 2011 Irish Presidential Candidate Martin McGuinness met with descendants of the 1916 Proclamation signatories at the GPO in Dublin to begin a 'Save 16 Moore Street Campaign' walking tour of the historic 1916 urban battlefield of Central Dublin. James Connolly Heron (Great Grandson of James Connolly) was among those who provided the tour which included discussion on the historical significance of the Moore St. area and particularly the terrace which includes numbers 14-17. These buildings are associated with the 1916 Rising as this is where the leaders of the Rising occuppied as they attempted to flee the GPO and continue the battle on Parnell Street. The Rebels tunnelled through this terrace of houses carrying a wounded James Connolly on a stretcher. A British Machine Gun Barricade and sniper fire from the Rotunda prevented this plan from success. The 1916 Surrender order was reluctantly signed in number 16 to prevent further loss of life. A property developer would like this area turned into a shopping mall & as anyone familiar with this part of Dublin will know there are already an abundance of shopping malls and developments in this general area. There are no 1916 Easter Rising Heritage, or museum attractions in this area whatsoever. The 14-17 Terrace is now a National Monument, however this has not provided adequate protection, only the Building Facades are protected and the buildings themselves are set to be demolished. The Save 16 Moore Street campaign believe the Moore St. area should be developed into a world class National Monument that all could be proud of. This proposal called "HQ16" has recieved widespread public support. As an item of trivia - the 'Save 16 Moore Street' Campaign badge was prominently worn by Martin McGuinness days later on the RTE 'Frontline' Live Television debate in which Martin McGuinness famously confronted Sean Gallagher over 'envelope' payments which Sean Gallagher collected of up to €5000 on behalf of Fianna Fail.

Irish Presidential Candidate Martin McGuinness meeting the descendants of the 1916 Proclamation signatories, the GPO Dublin, 21st October 2011.

This is the O'Rahilly plaque

Close up of text :

The O'Rahilly note, written as he lay dying having been shot. "Darling Nancy, I was shot leading a rush up Moore Street took refuge in doorway. While I was there I heard the men pointing out where I was and I made a bolt for the lane I am in now I got more one bullet I think Tons and tons of love dearie to you and the boys and to Nell and Anna. It was a good fight anyhow. Please deliver this to Nancy O'Rahilly 40 Herbert park Dublin. Goodbye darling"

1916 Easter Rising Veterans Armband issued at a ceremony held at the Rotunda Rink, Dublin, on Sunday 21 April 1935 to mark the 19th Anniversary of the Rebellion - Kilmainham Jail Museum

Irish War of Independence propaganda postcard

(Left to Right) The 1916 Active Service Medal, Irish War of Independence medal with Comrac bar to designate combat, this medal is also known as the 'Black and Tan medal', 1966 Commemorative 50th Anniversary Medal - Kilmainham Jail Museum

Prison art made by Irish Easter Rising veterans who were prisoners at Frongoch concentration camp Wales - Kilmainham Jail Museum

(Left to Right) The 1916 Active Service Medal, The 1921 - 1971 Survivor Medal, Irish War of Independence medal with Comrac bar to designate combat, this medal is also known as the 'Black and Tan medal' - Kilmainham Jail Museum

campaign paraphernalia. Featured at the end of the Kilmainham section are the executed leader’s art exhibit & pictures of Independence era Dublin locations.

(Left to Right) The 1921 - 1971 Survivor Medal, Irish War of Independence medal with Comrac bar to designate combat, this medal is also known as the 'Black and Tan medal', 1966 Commemorative 50th Anniversary Medal - Kilmainham Jail Museum

(Left - Right) The 1916 Active Service Medal, 1921 - 1971 Survivor Medal, Irish War of Independence medal with Comrac bar to designate combat (also known as the 'Black and Tan medal'), 1966 Commemorative 50th Anniversary Medal - Kilmainham Jail Museum

Remaining traces within the prison :

Art Sculptures in honour of the executed 1916 Rebels

Part of the Art Sculptures in honour of the executed 1916 Rebels, depicting the 1916 Proclamation of the Irish Republic. The most important document in Irish history.

The rest of the pictures are here :

Gallery 1

http://www.militaria-archive.com/museums/kilmainham/index.html

Gallery 2

http://www.militaria-archive.com/museums/kilmainham-pt2/index.html

contd.

Series of 7 Anti Treaty Propaganda drawings by Countess Markievicz - Kilmainham Jail Museum

These were issued to Anti Treaty IRA who were part of the Four Courts Garrison at the outbreak of the Irish Civil War - Kilmainham Jail Museum

Irish Civil War era paperwork

.303 Calibre Lee Enfield Rifle, taken in an IRA ambush of RIC in Rathmore County Kerry 6th May 1921 - Kilmainham Jail Museum

Treaty ratified headline -

Kilmainham Jail museum houses a collection of prisoner sketch and autograph books. Many rebel prisoners met in prison for the first time and were unlikely to meet again on release.

During the War of Independence the British famously lost an armoured car to an IRA ambush. The car was later used in an attempted prison break.

'Oath to the Irish Republic'

Serial number 232 of 1921 one of about 50 acquired by the IRA - Kilmainham Jail Museum. These were showing up into the 1970's.

Museum exhibits:

Easter Rising Proclamation :

Crucifix fashioned from bullets

Irish Civil War Mass/Remembrance Cards for Harry Boland, Cathal Brugha, Michael Collins & Arthur Griffith - Kilmainham Jail Museum

Convict Cap - Kilmainham Jail Museum

Prison badge - Kilmainham Jail Museum

Old cell door indicator

According to some accounts this was Eamon DeValera's cell. The name M.Collins was carved into the wall opposite so he would have to stare at it each morning.

Eamon DeValera's cell when he returned during the Irish Civil War

Corridor in closed wing

Execution yard, Kilmainham Jail, Dublin, Ireland

The gateway through which the Simon Donnelly & Ernie O'Malley escape took place :

Yard

Memorial plaque to the Invincibles :

The old hanging room

Water colours painted at Frongoch by Rebel prisoners - also in Kilmainham Jail museum (area not open to public)

More Artwork

contd.

The Gauntlet - corridor where Republican prisoners endured beatings :

This is an Honour Roll (in a part of the prison not normally open to the public)

Honour Roll - Detail

detail 2

These next few pictures are from an area of the Museum not normally open to the public - these are original prison grafitti:

Charles Stewart Parnell

unknown

'Unto This cell I bid farewell, I want to see no more'

Seamus Robinson (took part in Soloheadbeg ambush with Dan Breen and Sean Tracy)

more

unknown

more

IRA emblem :

Some cells were named :

Kilmainham chapel where Grace Gifford married Joseph Plunkett hours before his execution for his part in the 1916 Easter Rising :

The later cell of Plunkett's widow :

The restored Madonna she engraved on the wall of this cell

Following on from the 1916 Rising & Irish War of Independence the prison was also used by the free state during the Irish Civil War. At one point prisoners could be released by signing a document :

Many of the doorways were decorated :

Kilmainham Jail interior :

'Woodfield Cottages' in reference to Michael Collins (never a prisoner here)

When Collins Death was announced all of the Anti-Treaty IRA man knelt in prayer in this area :

Cell of Simon Donnelly (a relative of mine), one of the few prisoners ever to escape Kilmainham Jail (along with Ernie O'Malley & Frank Teeling) Patrick Moran was offered a place in the escape but he was innocent & chose to stand trial - found guilty and executed. During the Easter Rising Donnelly was commander of C Company of Eamon De Valera's command in Boland's Mill & during the War of Independence Donnelly was Vice-Commandant of the 3rd Battalion of the Dublin Brigade of the IRA (also head of the Irish Republican Police). 1940 founded a new political party in Ireland Córas na Poblachta.

Plaque above the Kilmainham cell of Pádraig Pearse, Irish Nationalist, Republican, Poet, 'Gaelic scholar and a visionary'. President of the Provisional Government and commander of republican forces Easter Rising 1916. Pearse read the proclamation outside the GPO April 24th 1916. Executed by the British in Kilmainham Jail stonebreakers yard 3rd May 1916 :

Kilmainham Jail interior :

During the famine years many of the desperate & hungry got themselves arrested in order to be fed in prison, many died of disease and exposure from sleeping in massively overcrowded cells and from sleeping on cold stone floors in the corridors open to the wind and elements all year round.

I believe the enslaved dragons above the entrance are meant to represent Rebellion :

These are some words from Padraig Pearse's The Rebel :

Padraig Pearse, The Rebel "I am come of the seed of the people, the people that sorrow; Who have no treasure but hope, No riches laid up but a memory of an ancient glory My mother bore me in bondage, in bondage my mother was born, I am of the blood of serfs; The children with whom I have played, the men and women with whom I have eaten Have had masters over them, have been under the lash of masters, and though gentle, have served churls. The hands that have touched mine, the dear hands whose touch Is familiar to me Have worn shameful manacles, have been bitten at the wrist by manacles, have grown hard with the manacles and the task-work of strangers. I am flesh of the flesh of these lowly, I am bone of their bone I that have never submitted; I that have a soul greater than the souls of my people’s masters, I that have vision and prophecy, and the gift of fiery speech, I that have spoken with God on the top of his holy hill. And because I am of the people, I understand the people, I am sorrowful with their sorrow, I am hungry with their desire; My heart is heavy with the grief of mothers, My eyes have been wet with the tears of children, I have yearned with old wistful men, And laughed and cursed with young men; Their shame is my shame, and I have reddened for it Reddened for that they have served, they who should be free Reddened for that they have gone in want, while others have been full, Reddened for that they have walked in fear of lawyers and their jailors. With their Writs of Summons and their handcuffs, Men mean and cruel. I could have borne stripes on my body Rather than this shame of my people. And now I speak, being full of vision: I speak to my people, and I speak in my people’s name to The masters of my people: I say to my people that they are holy, That they are august despite their chains. That they are greater than those that hold them And stronger and purer, That they have but need of courage, and to call on the name of their God, God the unforgetting, the dear God who loves the people For whom he died naked, suffering shame. And I say to my people’s masters: Beware Beware of the thing that is coming, beware of the risen people Who shall take what ye would not give. Did ye think to conquer the people, or that law is stronger than life, And than men’s desire to be free? We will try it out with you ye that have harried and held, Ye that have bullied and bribed. Tyrants… hypocrites… liars!"