Collection

Book of Shakespeare plays inscribed by Young Ireland leaders

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Collection of Shakespeare plays which belonged to James O’Rorke, prisoner in Kilmainham Gaol in 1848. The book contains poems transcribed and signed by Thomas Francis Meagher and William Smith O’Brien at Kilmainham Gaol on 26 August 1848. It also contains the signatures of Charles Gavan Duffy, Newgate Gaol, 1 November 1848 and Kevin Doherty, Newgate Gaol, 2 November 1848.

Young Ireland Shakespeare. OPW.

Meal Docket, Kilmainham Gaol, Various Classes, 21 October, 1849

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A food docket completed by the Matron – C. Judge – for 92 females, D & E class and 18 children.
Breakfast: 86 Quarts Stirabout, Milk; Dinner: 86 Bread and Milk. The six on hospital allowance received white bread and new milk.
Children: Breakfast- Stirabout, Milk and White bread; Dinner – Bread and Milk.

Last letter written by Charles Stewart Parnell to his doctor, 8 October 1891

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One of Parnell’s last letters, in which he tells his doctor in London that he has ‘been attacked by rheumatism’. It is written in a weak and scrawling hand, only three days before he died.

Ship’s bell from the Asgard

The Asgard was the boat used to transport 900 rifles and 29,000 rounds of ammunition which were landed at Howth on 26 July 1914. The weapons were used by the Irish Volunteers during the Easter Rising, 1916.

Ship’s bell from the Asgard. Simon Hill / Scirebroc (OPW).

An original 1916 Proclamation, given to Mrs Kathleen Clarke

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An original 1916 Proclamation, which was given to Mrs Kathleen Clarke, widow of signatory Thomas Clarke. On the back is written: “This was brought to me at my home in Richmond Avenue on Monday morning of Easter Week 1916, from GPO. Sent by my husband Tom Clarke by Miss Sarah MacMahon. Kathleen Clarke.”

Last letter of Michael Mallin, Kilmainham Gaol, May 1916

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Michael Mallin was commandant of the rebels at the St Stephen’s Green outpost in 1916. In this poignant last letter from Kilmainham Gaol to his wife and children he tells them of his hopes for their futures and says goodbye.

Large Crucifix held by Patrick Pearse prior to his execution, Kilmainham Gaol, 3 May 1916.

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A large black crucifix with brass figure, skull and crossbones, INRI and tips. This crucifix was held by Patrick Pearse prior to his execution at Kilmainham Gaol, 3 May 1916. Scratched on reverse with a pin is “PMP” indicating Padraig Mac Piarais.

On loan from Fr Leonard, OFM, Cap., Guardian, Capuchin Friary, Church Street, Dublin. In the course of a letter accompanying the object, Fr Leonard quoted a message received at the Friary on 2/5/1916 as follows:

Kilmainham Detention Barracks
Sir,
The prisoner H.T. Pearse (sic) desires to see you and you have permission to visit him. Failing you, he would be glad o see any of the capucines (sic) I am, sir,
Your obedient servant,
W.S. Kinsman, (Major) Commandant.

“In reply to the above message on May 2nd,” continued Fr Leonard, “Fr Aloysius went right away from Church St, to Kilmainham. He stayed with Pearse that night and well into the morning of the 3rd. He heard Pearse’s confession and gave him Holy Communion. Fr. Aloysius had taken his crucifix with him, the one he used when giving missions. He left it with Pearse while visiting one of the other prisoners. On his return to Pearse, he noticed the light of the corridor shining through the spy- hole of his cell. It was falling on Pearse’s face while he knelt in prayer clasping the crucifix. That was one of Fr Aloysius’s most cherished memories. Then, as a memento, Pearse scratched his initials PMP with a pin on the crucifix before giving it back to Fr Aloysius. And that is the crucifix that the Capuchins are now presenting to Kilmainham Museum.” (20/6/’66)

The Pearse Crucifix. 2016 © Photograph by Simon Hill (Courtesy of the OPW)

Rosary beads held by Thomas MacDonagh at his execution, 3 May 1916

Thomas MacDonagh was executed by firing squad and these rosary beads were given to him by his sister, Sr Francesca, the night before he died. The crucifix is missing, and is said to have been shot away.

Rosary beads held by Thomas MacDonagh at his execution, 3 May 1916. Simon Hill (OPW).

Mug from Reading Gaol used by Cathal O’Shannon

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A prison issue mug from Reading Gaol used by Cathal O’Shannon during his imprisonment after the Easter Rising. Large white mug with no handles. Stamped with black and white “Prison Commission” and prison arrow.

Cathal O’Shannon Mug. 2016 © Photograph by Simon Hill (Courtesy of the OPW)

Sean Treacy’s shoe, 14 October 1920

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A key member of the IRA, Sean Treacy was shot dead during a shoot-out with British forces on Talbot Street in Dublin city centre during the Irish War of Independence. Sean Treacy was wearing this shoe at the time of his death, which was kept by his comrade Dan Breen.

Sean Treacy Shoe. OPW.

Cyril J Daly’s autograph book, Kilmainham Gaol 1921

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From May to December 1921, IRA volunteers who had taken part in the burning of the Customs House in Dublin city centre were imprisoned in Kilmainham Gaol. A camera was smuggled into the gaol and this autograph book contains photographs and signatures of those imprisoned here at that time.

Last letter by James Fisher to his mother, 1922

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The last letter written by eighteen-year-old James Fisher to his mother, before his execution in Kilmainham in November 1922. Fisher, along with three other young men (Richard Twohig, Peter Cassidy and John Gaffney) was shot in the Gaol on 17 November 1922. They were the first of seventy-seven executions by the Irish Free State during the Civil War.

Sighle Humphrey’s rounders baton, Kilmainham Gaol 1923

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During the Irish Civil War, hundreds of women from all over Ireland were imprisoned in Kilmainham Gaol. Among them was Sighle Humphreys, who used the leg of a chair to make a baton for playing rounders in the exercise yards.

Blood-stained letter from Hazel Lavery found on the body of Michael Collins, 22 August 1923

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This letter was among the items found on Michael Collins’ body following his death at Béal na mBlá, Co. Cork during the Civil War. It was returned to Hazel Lavery by his sister Hannie Collins. She kept the letter pasted in to a book of poems by the poet Dante Gabriel Rossetti.

Piece of timber from Joseph Plunkett’s cell signed by Grace Gifford Plunkett, 1923

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A piece of timber which was taken from the cell in which Joseph Plunkett was held the night before his execution in 1916. A hand written inscription “This is Joseph Plunkett’s Cell’ was pencilled on it by his widow Grace Plunkett when she was held here in 1923 (during the Civil War).

Joseph Plunkett Inscription. 2016 © Photograph by Simon Hill (Courtesy of the OPW)

Collection Box – Support the Kilmainham Jail Restoration

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A small cardboard black and white box with “Support the Kilmainham Jail Restoration” written on sides. Slot for coins on top.

This box, and others like these, were designed to fund-raise for the work of restoring Kilmainham Jail, which began in the 1960s. The work was funded and undertaken by a group of volunteers.

Collection Box. 2016 © Photograph by Simon Hill (Courtesy of the OPW)