A Catalogue of the Eamon Donnelly Collection at Newry & Mourne Museum

A Catalogue of the

Éamon

Donnelly Collection at Newry and Mourne Museum

Robert Whan

On the last Friday of 1944, my grandfather, Éamon Donnelly, who was a native of County Armagh and a prominent Irish Nationalist politician, died at the age of 67 in a Dublin nursing home. A Requiem Mass was celebrated at St Andrew’s Church in the City on 30th December, attended by Éamon de Valera, then Taoiseach of the Irish Republic and other leading members of the Irish government. Éamon’s remains were taken through the streets of Dublin to Amiens Street (now Connolly) Station for the train journey to Newry, County Down, where he had spent much of his life, for burial.

In Newry, one of the largest crowds ever seen in the town lined the route to St. Mary’s Cemetery where Éamon was buried with his wife, Marianne, and two of their children, Catherine and Frank. The funeral cortege was preceded by fifteen members of the clergy in top hats, long black overcoats and carrying furled umbrellas. The old-fashioned hearse was drawn by two black horses. Behind walked his son, son-in-law and two grandsons, followed by leading politicians of the

day along with Major Vivion de Valera representing his father. A year later a striking memorial was unveiled at his grave with the inscription “to a true friend and sterling patriot”. It is still there at his grave; a huge block of white granite (now dulled by age and weather) with a bas-relief of Éamon on the front.

Since then, apart from the very occasional pilgrimage to his grave and memorial by politicians and historians, Éamon Donnelly has been largely forgotten.

I came to Newry in about 1956 when my mother, Nell, the eldest of Éamon and Marianne Donnelly’s six children and by then a relatively young widow, returned to the town that had been her family home years before. It was she who rescued, and safeguarded, most of what records remained in the family home. I was born nearly three years after Éamon had died, so my picture of him was that stone face sculpted on his grave. I knew he had been someone significant, if only because few people warrant such memorials over their last resting place.

A personal perspective by one of Éamon Donnelly’s grandchildren

Mum would talk to me about her father who was, she would say, an Ulsterman first and an Irishman second. Although elected as MP for Armagh in 1925 he was considered by the British and Northern Ireland Governments to be a threat. Mum often claimed that the British Government of the time went as far as offering Éamon a colonial Governorship in an attempt to remove him from Northern Ireland. I have no reason to doubt my mother’s word, but I am equally sure that no written record of any such offer exists, anywhere!

Despite her great love for, and admiration of, her father, Mum was not blind to his faults. He had a weakness for alcohol, not continuously but rather, as my Mum described it on occasional ‘skites’. Interestingly his weakness was never exploited by the British or Northern Ireland authorities. It was his friends and colleagues in Dublin who used it if they thought Éamon would embarrass them through his opposition to Partition, a principle he never abandoned.

I wish now that I had listened more to my Mother’s recollections. Instead, with all the callowness of youth, I closed my ears. It took the encouragement of my cousin, Sean Donnelly, and Anthony Carroll’s article in the online Newry Journal to send me back to my mother’s papers. I had kept, but not really examined, them, despite a visit from Eamon Phoenix to study them!

After consultation with my cousins, I decided to donate Éamon Donnelly’s papers to Newry and Mourne Museum.

I am delighted that this catalogue has been produced by the Museum. It will help bring my grandfather’s contribution to Irish history to a wider audience. Hopefully, its publication, and the availability of his papers, will show just why Éamon Donnelly was so publicly mourned by both leading politicians and churchmen and by vast numbers of the good people of Newry, his adopted and much loved home town.

Donal Donnelly-Wood

March 2014

Introduction

The Éamon Donnelly Collection comprises almost 400 documents dating from 1881 to 1972, but mostly from the 1930s and early 1940s. They are the personal and political papers of the Nationalist and Republican politician, Éamon Donnelly (1877–1944). Donnelly was elected by constituencies in both the north and south of Ireland: Armagh (1925–29), Laois-Offaly (1933–37) and Belfast Falls division (1942–44). Originally a member of Sinn Féin, he joined Fianna Fáil after its formation in 1926. A great organiser, Donnelly served as director of elections for both parties. As a result of his political convictions and activities he was imprisoned on a number of occasions. He was an ardent anti-Partitionist and, increasingly, by the mid-1930s, Donnelly had become disillusioned with Fianna Fáil’s lack of progress on the Partition issue.

PART A: ÉAMON DONNELLY

Early life and involvement with Sinn Féin

Éamon Donnelly (named Edward John Donnelly) was born in Middletown, Co. Armagh on 19 July 1877. His father, Francis, was a mason and his mother, Catherine (née Haggin), was the daughter of a Fenian farmer. After receiving his education, Éamon became a labourer and later was storekeeper at the Armagh Asylum. He joined the G.A.A., the Gaelic League, and Sinn Féin, and was one of the first of the Irish Volunteers in Armagh. On Easter Sunday 1916 he joined with Volunteers from the north who mobilised at Coalisland, Co. Tyrone. Though they dispersed without fighting, Donnelly was arrested because of his involvement and was imprisoned in England.1

After his release and return to Ireland, Donnelly played a key role in the rise of Sinn Féin in the north. He was dismissed from his post as storekeeper in the mental hospital because of his political convictions and he became

a full-time organiser for Sinn Féin in Armagh, where he was President of the local Sinn Féin Club. In the General Election of 1918 he acted as director of elections in north-east Ulster. His determination ensured that Sinn Féin contested every Irish constituency. The election resulted in a landslide victory with Sinn Féin winning 73 out of the 105 seats.2 The Sinn Féin MPs, however, refused to attend the Westminster Parliament, forming instead a separate legislature, Dáil Éireann.

During the War of Independence, 1919–1921, Donnelly’s activities became the focus of further police attention and his home was frequently searched for arms and incriminating literature. In September 1919 he was arrested and imprisoned for a fortnight in Belfast Gaol for refusing to pay a fine imposed by a local magistrate for riding a bicycle at midnight without a light.3

Upon his release, Donnelly was actively engaged in promoting the Dáil Éireann Loan in the north and in November 1919 he was again imprisoned, this

, 17 May & 11 Oct. 1918; Bureau of Military History witness statement of Seán T. O’Kelly (W.S. 1765); Sinn Féin 1918 Ard Fheis report, pp 5–6 (National Library of Ireland, Dulcibella Barton papers, MS 8,786); Joseph Connolly, Memoirs of Senator Joseph Connolly, ed. J. A. Gaughan (Dublin, 1998), pp 150–51; Robert Brennan, Allegiance (Dublin, 1950), pp 168, 181–82.

2 Mícheál Ó Coileáin [Michael Collins] to Éamon Donnelly, 27 July 1920 (Newry and Mourne Museum, Éamon Donnelly Collection, NMM:2011.29.1.2); Aibhistín dé Staic [Austin Stack] to Éamon Donnelly, 19 & 20 Jan. 1921 (ibid., NMM:2011.29.2); Armagh Guardian, 14 & 21 Nov. 1919, 20 Feb. 1920; Irish Bulletin, 21 Nov. 1919; Newry Reporter, 22 Nov. 1919.

3 Armagh Guardian, 19 & 26 Sept. 1919, 16 Apr. 1920; Irish Bulletin, 25 Sept. 1919; Frontier Sentinel, 25 Oct. 1919; Irish Independent, 20 Dec. 1920; Donegal News, 15 Jan. 1921.

1 Armagh Guardian

time for three months, for soliciting contributions for the republican loan outside Tynan Chapel in Co. Armagh.4 In 1920 he was involved in the effort to establish Dáil courts in Ulster and also in the organising of the Belfast Boycott which sought to exclude Northern Irish goods from the nationalist-dominated south.5

Donnelly was the Ulster Organiser for Sinn Féin in the 1921 election campaign, which was not an easy task considering many of the party’s candidates were either in prison or ‘on the run’. During the election, Donnelly acted as election agent for Michael Collins and in the campaign an attempt was made on Donnelly’s life by the Igoe Gang, a group of undercover R.I.C. intelligence agents. Sinn Féin members were ejected from the polling stations, while Unionists impersonated nationalist and republican voters. On the polling day, Donnelly wrote to Patrick O’Keeffe, “Intimidation is wholesale. Cars were set on and drivers taken off and beaten. […] The

only effect that all our literature and leaflets etc. will have upon them [the Unionists] is to bring them out to vote against us in great numbers.”6 In Northern Ireland, the Unionists gained 42 out of the 55 seats available, but also successful was Michael Collins who was elected as an abstentionist member for Armagh. Shortly after the election, in September 1921, Donnelly organised a large rally in Armagh, attended by over 20,000 people, at which Michael Collins was the keynote speaker.7

During the negotiations in autumn 1921, which led to the Anglo-Irish Treaty, Donnelly was invited by Collins to come to London to advise the Irish plenipotentiaries on the northern question. The illness of Donnelly’s wife, Marianne, however prevented his attendance.8 When the Treaty emerged Donnelly sided with the AntiTreatyites in the Civil War. Though the Free State defeated the Republicans in the Civil War, thousands of AntiTreatyite Republicans were imprisoned, including Donnelly who was arrested

Éamon Donnelly, 23 Sept. 1920 (Newry and Mourne Museum, Éamon Donnelly Collection, NMM:2011.29.1.2); Bureau of Military History witness statements of James Short (W.S. 534) and Frank Donnelly (W.S. 941).

5 Sinn Fein minute book, 1919–22 (University College Dublin Archives, P163/2, pp 142, 151); Irish Bulletin, 24 May 1921; Ulster Herald, 21 May 1921; Frontier Sentinel, 28 May 1921; Telegrams from Éamon Donnelly to J. H. Collins, 24 May 1921 (PRONI, D921/2/1/12–13, /15); Éamon [Donnelly] to [P. O’Keeffe], 24 May 1921 (University College Dublin Archives, Éamon de Valera Papers, P150/1381); Keiko Inoue, ‘Sinn Féin propaganda and the “Partition Election”, 1921’ in Studia Hibernica, no. 30 (1998/99), pp 47–61; Éamon Phoenix, Northern Nationalism: Nationalist politics, parties and the Catholic minority in Northern Ireland 1890–1940 (Belfast, 1994), p. 123.

6 Photographs of rally in Armagh, Sept. 1921 (Newry and Mourne Museum, Éamon Donnelly Collection, NMM:2011.29.6.23 & .28–.29); Des Fitzgerald, ‘Michael Collins in Armagh’ in History Armagh, i, no. 2 (2005), pp 7–11.

7 Obituary of Éamon Donnelly, 1944 (Newry and Mourne Museum, Éamon Donnelly Collection, NMM:2011.29.3.119).

Irish Times, 15 June & 25 Oct. 1923; Freeman’s Journal, 22 June, 20 & 22 Aug. 1923; Manchester Guardian, 2 Aug. 1923; costs of habeas corpus proceedings: case of Éamon Donnelly, Dublin, 1923 (National Archives of Ireland, Army Finance Office papers, FIN/1/3031);

8 ‘Eamonn Donnelly: the man for Sligo-Leitrim’ in Honesty, 8 June 1929 (Newry and Mourne Museum, Éamon Donnelly Collection, NMM:2011.29.3.15); Uinseann MacEoin, The IRA in the twilight years 1923–1948 (Dublin, 1997), pp 77, 79, 80, 86.

4 R. Ó’Siocháin to

by the Free State military in February 1923. He was detained in Mountjoy Prison until his daughter, Nellie Donnelly, applied for a writ of habeas corpus. The application was approved by the Court of Appeal who found that the State had not proved that a state of war still existed and therefore Donnelly’s continued imprisonment was ruled unlawful. Donnelly was accordingly released on 2 August 1923 but, fearing the necessity of a wholesale release of around 12,000 anti-Treaty prisoners, a Public Safety Bill was enacted by the Dublin government, under which it was possible for the authorities to re-arrest Donnelly on the 18 August 1923. Donnelly, whilst imprisoned in Mountjoy and Kilmainham, underwent a 41-day hunger strike.9

In the interval between his release and re-arrest Donnelly was actively involved, as director of elections, in organising the Sinn Féin campaign for the general election of August 1923. Despite the difficulties under which he worked, the party did better than

many anticipated with the pro-Treaty Government party, Cumannnan Gaedheal, winning only 63 (out of 153) seats and Sinn Féin, 44 seats.10 Donnelly was, from 1923, Director of Organisation for Sinn Féin throughout Ireland and in 1925 he acted as director of elections for the north-east. Of the six Republican candidates, Éamon de Valera (Down) and Donnelly himself (Armagh) were elected in April 1925. Elected as an abstentionist, Donnelly refused to take his seat in the northern parliament at Stormont and he did not contest the next election in 1929.11

Shortly after his election, Donnelly was arrested, on 28 September 1925, at a Republican concert held at Derrymacash, near Lurgan, in Co. Armagh. He was served with an exclusion order, dated 16 October 1924, which was signed by the northern Minister for Home Affairs, Sir Dawson Bates. This Order, which forms part of the Collection, excluded Donnelly from entering or residing in Northern Ireland (except in Co. Antrim, outside Belfast). Donnelly

9 Connolly, Memoirs of Joseph Connolly, p. 254; Dorothy Macardle, The Irish Republic (London, 1937), p. 897; Eoin Neeson, The Civil War 1922–23 (Dublin, 1989), pp 294–95.

10 Éamon Donnelly’s reports as Sinn Féin Director of Organisation, 1924–25 (National Library of Ireland, Dulcibella Barton papers, MS 8,786); Éamon Donnelly election poster canvassing “To the Electors of Armagh”, 1925 (PRONI, D2567/10); Frontier Sentinel, 28 Mar., 4 Apr. 1925; Irish Independent, 1 Apr. 1925; Conor Foley, Legion of the rearguard: the IRA and the modern Irish State (London, 1992), pp 50–51.

11 Irish Independent, 29 Sept. 1925; Armagh Guardian, 8 & 15 Mar. 1929.

was conveyed to Goraghwood Railway Junction, presented with a ticket to Dundalk, and put across the Irish border. (He was arrested and put over the border again in 1929 when he visited Armagh.)12

Involvement with Fianna Fáil

In 1926 Sinn Féin split over the issue of abstention from Dáil Éireann and Éamon de Valera formed a new party, Fianna Fáil. Donnelly subsequently joined Fianna Fáil. Intelligence agents suggested Donnelly had been advocating the acceptance of seats in the Dáil for several months, particularly after the failure of the Boundary Commission to satisfactorily settle the border issue.13 After the split, Donnelly acted as a liaison figure between Sinn Féin and the new Fianna Fáil party, and attempted, unsuccessfully, to negotiate an agreement between them.14 The Fianna Fáil Deputies took their seats in the Dáil in August 1927 and in the following month Donnelly, unsuccessfully, stood as a candidate in the Monaghan by-election.

After joining Fianna Fáil, Donnelly quickly lent his skills to organising the party and preparing its electoral machinery. He himself stood unsuccessfully as a candidate in the Leitrim-Sligo by-election of June 1929 and again for Laois-Offaly in 1932. Fianna Fáil’s victory at the LongfordWestmeath by-election of June 1930, which Donnelly directed, is often regarded as the ‘turning of the tide’ for Fianna Fáil on its journey to electoral dominance. Donnelly, himself, was successfully elected to represent LaoisOffaly in the 1933 election, when he topped the poll. When campaigning in Newry for the candidature of Éamon de Valera for South Down in the Northern Ireland election of 1933, Donnelly was arrested for defying the 1924 Exclusion Order. He was brought to Belfast and sentenced to a month’s imprisonment in Belfast Gaol. After his arrest, Donnelly’s son, Sean, acted as election agent for de Valera who topped the poll in South Down, gaining over 7,000 votes.15

12 Confidential reports, 29 & 30 Oct., 14 Nov. 1925 (University College Dublin Archives, Blythe papers, P24/222); intelligence report, 29 & 30 Oct. 1925 (ibid., FitzGerald papers, P80/847).

13 Éamon Donnelly to Mary MacSwiney, 2 April 1927 (University College Dublin Archives, MacSwiney Papers, P48a/43 (14)); MacSwiney to Donnelly, 2 Apr. 1927 (ibid., P48a/43 (15)); MacSwiney to the Sinn Féin Standing Committee, 9 Apr. 1927 (ibid., P48a/43 (19)); MacSwiney to Donnelly, 10 Apr. 1927 (Newry and Mourne Museum, Éamon Donnelly Collection, NMM:2011.29.1.13); John Bowman, De Valera and the Ulster question 1917–1973 (Oxford, 1989), pp 95–96; Micheál Martin, Freedom to choose: Cork & party politics in Ireland 1918–1932 (Cork, 2009), pp 142–47.

14 Jail journal of Éamon Donnelly, with related newspaper cuttings, 1933 (Newry and Mourne Museum, Éamon Donnelly Collection, NMM:2011.29.2.37).

15 Dáil Éireann debates, lvii, cols. 104–118 (11 May 1937).

Anti-Partition

As a northerner, Donnelly was acutely concerned with the Partition issue. Speaking in the Dáil in 1937 he stated Partition was “the predominant national issue. Nothing else counts; nothing else matters.”16 He constantly raised the issue at both the Fianna Fáil Ard Fheis and the party’s National Executive. Donnelly called on Fianna Fáil to organise in Northern Ireland and to allow northern Nationalist representatives to sit in the Dáil. Both suggestions were opposed by the Fianna Fáil leader, Éamon de Valera.17

At the 1933 Ard Fheis Donnelly heckled de Valera, shouting “What about the North?” and when a motion to establish a Republic was being debated in the Dáil, in October 1935, Donnelly opposed it arguing, “How could 26 counties out of 32 counties be a nation?”18

In September and October 1936

Donnelly outlined his fears about inactivity to his friend Cahir Healy: “Partition is now in operation 15 years

and we are worse to-day than when it began. If the present position lasts for another ten years we may chuck in. No one will remember us except as a lot of weaklings who saw what to do and didn’t do it.” Donnelly thought the northern Nationalist politicians should leave the Northern Ireland Parliament at Stormont and demand admission into the Dáil. This, he felt, would “force the pace”, “pull together Nationalists, north and south”, and “make the re-unification question practical politics again.”19 Around the same time Donnelly became involved with the Healy-inspired Irish Union Association, set up in September 1936, which sought to bring about a unified approach between Nationalists, Republicans and Fianna Fáil supporters. The organisation, however, was short-lived.20

In May 1937, when de Valera’s new Irish Constitution was being debated Donnelly sprang a surprise on the government when he moved an amendment that the Constitution be deferred until the issue of Partition was

16 Fianna Fáil National Executive minutes, 21 Dec. 1936, 1 Feb., 25 Oct. 1937, 1 Apr., 5 May 1940, 6 Jan. 1941 (UCDA, Fianna Fáil papers, P176/345); Irish Press, 4 Nov. 1936; John Bowman, De Valera and the Ulster question 1917–1973 (Oxford, 1989), pp 132–5, 171–2; Tom Gallagher, ‘Fianna Fáil and Partition, 1926–1984’ in Éire-Ireland, xx (1985), p. 32; Stephen Kelly, Fianna Fáil, Partition and Northern Ireland, 1926–1971 (Dublin, 2013), pp 82–85, 89–90, 95–97

17 Irish Press, 9 Nov. 1933; Dáil Éireann debates, lix, col. 193 (30 Oct. 1935).

18 Éamon Donnelly to Cahir Healy, 25 Sept. & 30 Oct. 1936 (PRONI, Healy Papers, D2991/B/10/5–6).

19 Enda Staunton, The Nationalists of Northern Ireland, 1918–1973 (Dublin, 2001), pp 128–29.

20Dáil Éireann debates, lxvii, cols 104–118 (11 May 1937); Irish Times, 11 May 1937.

adequately resolved. He also demanded that the Government establish a special Partition Department to co-ordinate and unite all anti-Partition forces in Ireland. In late 1937 Donnelly was himself to the fore in the establishment of the Northern Council for Unity which advocated a united antiPartition front.21

In July 1938, whilst visiting his home in Newry, Donnelly was arrested by the R.U.C. under the 1924 Exclusion Order. While the Dominions Office in London acknowledged that Donnelly may have been “unnecessarily provocative”, it concluded that his arrest was because, in the eyes of the Stormont administration, to suggest “partition should be ended is a crime!”22 Donnelly conducted his own defence. He refused to pay the £25 fine imposed by the Court and spent a month in Belfast Gaol, after seventeen days in the prison awaiting trial.23 During his imprisonment he was a candidate for the southern Senate but, despite the publicity surrounding his imprisonment, he gained only

one first preference vote and failed to get elected.24 On his return to Newry, he was warned by the police to leave the area but he refused stating, “My obedience to an order directing me, as an anti-Partitionist, to clear out of the six counties, would be a recognition on my part of Partition, since Partition alone is responsible for this sort of persecution.”25 Though he continued thereafter to reside in the north he was left alone and was not arrested again.

In 1938 the Fianna Fáil National Executive established an AntiPartition Subcommittee and Donnelly was chosen as one of its members. Ostensibly, the Committee, which launched the Anti-Partition of Ireland League of Great Britain, was designed to make British public opinion more receptive to the ending of Partition in Ireland. In reality, though, it was a ploy by de Valera to garner support in the wake of the Anglo-Irish Treaty which had not dealt with the reunification issue. Donnelly was involved as a speaker at anti-Partition rallies in both the north and south of Ireland, as well

21 Irish Times, 19 & 29 July 1938; Cabinet Secretariat, Ministry of Home Affairs: File on the execution of a deportation order against Éamon Donnelly, 1924–1938 (PRONI, CAB/9/B/215/1); Ministry of Home Affairs ‘Secret File’ relating to exclusion order against Donnelly, 1938 (PRONI, HA/32/1/668); Deirdre McMahon, Republicans and imperialists: Anglo-Irish relations in the 1930s (London, 1984), p. 269.

22 Belfast Telegraph, 28 July 1938; Irish Press, 29 July 1938.

23 Newspaper cutting on the Seanad election, Aug. 1938 (Newry and Mourne Museum, Éamon Donnelly Collection, NMM:2011.29.3.61).

24 Irish News, 31 Aug. 1938.

25 Irish Press, 22 Sept. 1938; Irish Times, 26 Nov., 3 Dec. 1938, 7 Mar. & 12 July 1939; Manchester Guardian, 16 Jan., 25 Mar. 1939; Gallagher, ‘Fianna Fáil and Partition’, p. 40.

as on the British mainland, at Glasgow and Liverpool. The campaign, however, was brought to a halt by the outbreak of the Second World War in September 1939.26

Later life

Donnelly saw the war as a potential opportunity to end Partition. He argued that if Fianna Fáil did not reunite the country when the war was on, “they could whistle for it afterwards”.27 He helped to set up the Six County Men’s Association, in late 1940, which sought to draw public attention to Partition and the need for its removal. Among those who attended the organisation’s inaugural meeting, at the Mansion House in Dublin, was Karl Petersen of the German Embassy. Donnelly, it was reported, had “approached the German and Italian Ministers in Dublin […] and that they had promised support and said they would have the case of Partition of the Six Counties broadcast in the German and Italian controlled radio stations”.28

26 Belfast Newsletter, 13 Dec. 1940.

When, during the Second World War, the British government contemplated introducing conscription to Northern Ireland, Donnelly instantly recognised the political capital that it presented. “Conscription! Damn the bit of harm a fight over this will do,” he confided in Healy. In May 1941, while one of his daughters was seriously ill (and subsequently died), Donnelly orchestrated a province-wide anticonscription campaign, supported by Nationalist representatives and the Catholic hierarchy. This culminated in a mass rally at Corrigan Park, Belfast, where 10,000 men pledged themselves to “resist conscription by the most effective means at our disposal consonant with the law of God.” As a result, the government scrapped its plan to introduce conscription in the north of Ireland.29

Donnelly also lent his organisational skills to seeking the reprieve of convicted I.R.A. members and providing relief to the families of political prisoners. The I.R.A. began a bombing campaign in Britain in

27 An Garda Síochána report, 19 Nov. 1940 (National Archives of Ireland, Garda Síochána papers, GFA/A/23); Christopher Norton, ‘The internment of Cahir Healy M.P., Brixton Prison July 1941–December 1942’ in Twentieth Century British History, xviii (2007), p. 180; Staunton, Nationalists of Northern Ireland, pp 144–45, 359 n.7.

28 Irish News, 25 & 26 May 1941; Belfast Newsletter, 26 May 1941; Manchester Guardian, 26 May 1941; Irish Times, 27 May 1941; Irish Press, 31 May 1941; Frontier Sentinel, 6 Jan. 1945; Bowman, De Valera and the Ulster question, p. 204; Thomas Hennessey, A history of Northern Ireland 1920–1996 (Dublin, 1997), pp 91–92.

29 Irish News, 7, 8, 12 & 26 Aug., 1 Sept. 1942; Staunton, Nationalists of Northern Ireland, p. 150.

1939. At a meeting in Dublin in 1940, Donnelly spoke in defence of Peter Barnes and James McCormack, who were sentenced to death for their involvement in the Coventry bombing of 1939. He drew attention to the fact that Britain had given £13 million “to enable the Poles to fight against the proposed partition of their country but Britain was ready to send to the scaffold two Irishmen fighting against the partition of their country”. Donnelly’s pleas, however, were to no avail. Subsequently, in 1942, he acted as secretary of a committee to secure a reprieve for Tom Williams, who was hanged in September 1942 for shooting a Catholic R.U.C. constable, Patrick Murphy.30 Donnelly also acted as Secretary for the Green Cross Fund which was established to provide support to the families of republican prisoners in Northern Ireland. The organisation raised £45,000 and in his address at Donnelly’s funeral Father H. Esler said, “That many homes did not know the pangs of hunger and cold was due to the fact that Éamon Donnelly, notwithstanding his failing

health, worked late and early on behalf of the dependants of the bread-winners who had been taken away as political internees.”31

In the by-election for the Falls Division of Belfast in November 1942 Donnelly stood as a Republican candidate. Speaking at his nomination, Donnelly said “We have been wandering more or less in a morass for the last number of years at sixes and sevens, with no definite guidance as to the ultimate realisation of the objective that everyone cherishes dearly, namely, the reunification of our country. I have always held, and still hold, that it is possible to re-unite our country by constitutional means. I believe that the Irish people as a whole, given an opportunity, will stand for the bringing together again of the old Constituent Assembly, the first Dail, under the aegis of which the advances were made which Southern Ireland to-day enjoys, but which do not apply to us.” Drawing on the votes of prisoners’ families whom the Green Cross organisation had assisted, and

Henry Patterson, Ireland since 1939: the persistence of conflict (Dublin, 2006), p. 34.

also Catholic anger at the execution of Tom Williams who was a native of the constituency, Donnelly secured 54.5% of the votes cast and became the first Republican ever elected to represent a Belfast constituency. Donnelly refused, however, as an abstentionist, to enter the Stormont parliament and held the seat until his death.32

To the end, Donnelly was keen to secure the reunification of Ireland. His final public appearance was at the Fianna Fáil Ard Fheis, in Dublin, in October 1944, when he appealed for a fresh drive to end Partition. He demanded that the Fianna Fáil government support the establishment of an anti-Partition body, which would be representative of all mainstream nationalist opinion throughout the island of Ireland, in order to “hammer out proposals to be submitted at the psychological moment, when the war is over, or even before it is over, to make Partition the burning question it used to be years ago before it became submerged in matters

not so important.”33 (The idea was implemented after Donnelly’s death in the establishment of the Irish AntiPartition League, which, founded in November 1945, defined antiPartitionism until the mid-1950s.)

Donnelly died, aged 67, on 29

December 1944 in St. Jarlath’s Nursing Home, Herbert Street, Dublin, after an illness of several weeks’ duration. A Requiem Mass was held at St. Andrew’s Church, Westland Row, Dublin, on 30 December, which was attended by the Irish Taoiseach, Éamon de Valera, Ministers of State, members of the Dáil and Senate, and representatives of the main political parties. The next day, Donnelly was buried in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Newry, where a monument, with his image in bas-relief, was erected in 1947.

32 Irish Press, 11 Oct. 1944; Bowman, De Valera and the Ulster question, pp 257–8. 33 Cahir Healy papers (PRONI, D2991); Mary MacSwiney papers (UCDA, P48a/43).

PART B: THE COLLECTION

Provenance

After Éamon Donnelly’s death his surviving papers were, in the main, retained by his eldest child, Nellie (Eleanor Marie). Nellie had worked with her father in some of his political activities, seeking his release from imprisonment in 1923 and sending a series of telegrams updating the rest of the family on the 1925 election, when Éamon Donnelly was elected to represent Armagh constituency. Nellie had an ambition to write a biography of her father but this was, unfortunately, never achieved. The papers lay dormant until they were made use of by Éamon Phoenix when carrying out research in the 1970s for his Ph.D. thesis and subsequent book, Northern Nationalism: Nationalist politics, parties and the Catholic minority in Northern Ireland 1890–1940 (Belfast, 1994).

The collection was donated to Newry and Mourne Museum in 2011 by Éamon Donnelly’s grandsons, Donal Donnelly-Wood and Sean Donnelly.

Content and Significance

The Collection contains c.400 documents, including correspondence, speeches/lectures, photographs and contemporary newspaper cuttings. The correspondence is from leading figures in Irish nationalism (male and female), including Éamon de Valera, Michael Collins, William O’Brien, Cahir Healy, Maud Gonne MacBride, Mary MacSwiney, Kathleen Clarke and, the contemporary author of The Irish Republic, Dorothy Macardle. The predominant correspondent in the collection is Cahir Healy, whose letters to Donnelly constitute an important archive on Northern Nationalism, in the 1930s and early 1940s. The Healy letters are given added significance as the other side of the correspondence can be viewed among the Healy papers in the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland, just as the other side of the Donnelly-MacSwiney correspondence can be consulted in the MacSwiney papers held at University College Dublin Archives.34

34 For brief biographical accounts of Éamon Donnelly see: P. F. Meehan, The T.D.’s and Senators for Laois and Offaly 1921–1986 (Portlaoise, 1987), pp 40–41; P. J. Dempsey, ‘Donnelly, Éamon’ in James McGuire and James Quinn (eds), Dictionary of Irish biography (Dublin, 2009), iii, pp 397–8.

As a whole the collection provides an insight into what it was to be a northern nationalist involved in Irish politics in the early twentieth century. It sheds invaluable light on the career of Éamon Donnelly and deals with important topics from the period such as the debate over abstentionism and the campaigns for nationalist unity and anti-Partition. Among the collection are items of local and national significance. There is an interesting list recording members of the I.R.A. and Cumann na mBan killed between 1916–1960, a handwritten police description of Michael Collins, an autograph book belonging to Donnelly, and material relating to the Catholic Archbishop of Melbourne, Daniel Mannix, who was refused entry to Northern Ireland in 1925. Donnelly’s Exclusion Order and related train ticket, telegrams connected to his various elections in the north and south of Ireland, and his 1933 ‘jail journal’ also form part of the collection. The latter, in particular, is significant because of the insight it offers into what he read, containing

quotations from books on various revolutions throughout the world, as well as displaying his interest in classical history, science and religion.

To date, the career of Éamon Donnelly has still to be examined in detail by historians.35 Hopefully, the collection’s availability to researchers will now assist in creating a greater awareness and understanding of Donnelly’s life and career and his contribution to Irish political life in the first half of the twentieth century.

Access

The material can be consulted by making an appointment with the Assistant Curator at Newry and Mourne Museum, tel: 028 3031 3177 or email museum@newryandmourne.gov.uk.

PART C: CATALOGUE OF THE ÉAMON DONNELLY COLLECTION

CORRESPONDENCE

Letters

REFERENCE DATE DESCRIPTION

NMM:2011.29.

1.1 1 Jan. 1920 Éamon Donnelly to his daughter, Nellie (Eleanor Marie) Donnelly, offering advice about her education and future employment: “[...] You are a big girl now and soon you will be making a start in life for yourself at whatever occupation you most prefer. Whether it is teaching, clerical work or business will be for yourself to say. Personally I like you a teacher. You have had all the opportunities of education available where you live and your mother has worked hard and toiled late and early that nothing might stand in your way. [...] Whether it be mathematics, languages, typing, shorthand – no matter what – pay attention to whatever it is and always do what the teacher tells you and try and remember all you are taught. You require even more than attention at school. You want always a courteous, kindly disposition. Don’t interrupt or contradict anyone – and make it a point to speak only when addressed and above all things don’t know too much. Always learn. Remember you can learn from anyone. And always speak in as gentle a way as possible. [...].”

1.2 27 July 1920 – Éamon Donnelly to ‘Annie’, 25 Mill Street, Belfast enclosing a series of nine letters, a form and a report, addressed to Donnelly from Michael Collins, Austin Stack and R. Ó’Siocháin. Sent for safekeeping, they cover issues such as the Dáil Éireann Loan, courts, goggles and the Armagh election in which Collins was standing.

25 May 1921

27 July 1920 Mícheál Ó Coileáin [Michael Collins], Aire Airgid. [Minister of Finance], Dáil Éireann, Department of Finance, Mansion House, Dublin to Éamon Donnelly, Ulster, about Donnelly’s activities as Chief Loan Organiser in Ulster for the Dáil Éireann loan: “I consider that the success of the Loan has been in no small way due to your effort in your own area.”

23 Sept. 1920 R. Ó’Siocháin, Dáil Éireann, Department of Home Affairs to Éamon Donnelly, about courts: “It is not desirable that District Courts should be set up anywhere in which the effective Republican population has not a clear majority though Parish Courts might be set up under this decision even where a District Court is not advisable and has not effective backing to sustain it effectively. This applies not alone to South Derry but to any other Constituency where opponents of the Republic are in a numerical superiority.”

1920 Aireacht Ghnothai Duitche (Home Affairs Department) Judiciary blank form (D.C.1.) relating to the Dáil Éireann Republican Courts, issued in connection with Parish Courts for the District of South Armagh.

23 Nov. 1920 MOC [Michael Collins] to Éamon Donnelly, about goggles: “It would be well to send on a set of these for inspection.”

7 Dec. 1920 Mícheál Ó Coileáin [Michael Collins], Aire Airgid [Minister of Finance], Dáil Éireann, Department of Finance, Mansion House, Dublin to Éamon Donnelly, about specimen goggles: “I believe your surmise was correct and they are meant for murderous practices. The whole thing is being passed on to the Propaganda Department for Publicity.”

20 Mi na Mícheál Ó Coileáin [Michael Collins] to Éamon Donnelly, about goggles: “The two things I want most are the original Packing Note and the particulars as to where they are manufactured.”

Nodhlag [Dec.] 1920

5 Jan. 1921 Mícheál Ó Coileáin [Michael Collins], Aire Airgid. [Minister of Finance], Dáil Éireann, Department of Finance, Mansion House, Dublin to Éamon Donnelly, about a packing note, and discovery of Donnelly’s address: “So far as I know your address was not discovered anywhere here – It is possible, of course, that it may have been got without my knowledge, but the procedure you describe is quite a typical one. Probably they would know that you were a Sinn Fein Organiser, and that would be sufficient.”

19 Jan. 1921 Aibhistín dé Staic [Austin Stack], Dáil Éireann, Department of Home Affairs to Éamon Donnelly, requesting Donnelly to attend his office.

19 Jan. 1921 Aibhistín dé Staic [Austin Stack], Dáil Éireann, Department of Home Affairs to Éamon Donnelly, about the writing of reports on the workings of the District Courts visited by Donnelly.

20 Jan. 1921 Aibhistín dé Staic [Austin Stack], Dáil Éireann, Department of Home Affairs to Éamon Donnelly, with a typescript report, relating to republican district and parish courts in Tyrone.

1.3 20 July 1923 Éamon de Valera to the editor of the Irish Independent, giving his views on the Treaty. Discusses capital sum for debt, sovereign status, the Ulster Question, breaking with Lloyd George and Cathal Brugha’s note.

1.4

13 Aug. 1924 Éamon de Valera to ‘D’ [Éamon Donnelly], requesting he write a short history of the “Boundary Question”.

1.5 16 Oct. 1925 Archbishop Daniel Mannix, Charleville, to Mr [Éamon] Donnelly in which he outlines his travel plans.

1.6 19 Oct. [1925] Archbishop Daniel Mannix, Charleville, to Mr [Éamon] Donnelly acknowledging receipt of Donnelly’s letter.

1.7 “Monday” [? Oct.] 1925 Archbishop Daniel Mannix to Mr [Éamon] Donnelly in which he outlines his travel plans.

1.8 3 Dec. 1926 Pádraic Ó Máille, Líam Mag Aonghusa [Liam McGuiness], and Alasdair MacCaba, Shelbourne Hotel, Dublin, to [Éamon Donnelly], inviting him to a conference representing various points of view in politics in order to consider what policy can be devised as a basis of national unity in the “face of the renewal of English aggression”.

1.9 5 Feb. 1926 William O’Brien, Bellevue, Mallow, Co. Cork, to Éamon Donnelly, M.P., Mountmellick. As “an old member for South Tyrone”, O’Brien has taken Donnelly’s advice and will write to Éamon de Valera in order to give de Valera his thoughts on the latest “Treaty”.

1.10 5 Feb. 1926 William O’Brien, Mallow, to Éamon de Valera, outlining his thoughts: “I cannot refuse to say with what dismay and shame I have observed the almost absolute indifference with which a bargain with England, perhaps the most disgraceful in our history, seems to have been received by the country. […] The astounding thing is that the country is asked to accept the shameful deed not merely with resignation but as an actual National victory, and to celebrate as an evidence of ‘the new spirit’ the rejoicings of Sir James Craig and his friends over the concession to them by the only legal authority pretending to speak for Ireland, of the utmost measure of ascendancy they ever aspired to in their wildest dreams. [...] I should have preferred bringing about the reunion of Ireland in a very different way [...] but reunion there shall be, or everlasting strife.”

1.11 28 Feb. 1927 William O’Brien, Bellevue, Mallow, Co. Cork to Éamon Donnelly, M.P., Newry, replying to a letter from Donnelly. (O’Brien’s letter was originally accompanied by a copy of a paper he was sending to Father [Eugene] Coyle.) Rough calculations are written on the back.

1.12 4 Apr. 1927 Sean Buckley, Bandon, to Éamon [Donnelly], replying to a letter from Donnelly: “I agree with a lot of what you say & I am prepared to go as far as any SF [Sinn Fein] representative but I see no hope of composing our differences & so I am reconciled to have things take this course”. Mentions Miss [Mary] MacSwiney.

1.13 10 Apr. 1927 Máire Nic Suibhne [Mary MacSwiney], Cork, to Éamon Donnelly, T.D., accompanied by an economic programme and proposals for an electoral pact between Sinn Féin and Fianna Fáil. MacSwiney shares her opinion of de Valera and his policies: “De Valera has been making such queer speeches in U.S.A. that he seems to have wandered a good distance from his base. He is certainly not pointing out the dangers of his policy, and what I should like to do if Sinn Fein would agree, is, to offer these terms quite openly to F.F. here and have them published in America while he is still there.”

1.14 31 Dec. 1932 [?], Melvin View, Devenish, Belleek to Éamon Donnelly, about a planned meeting in Belfast which Archdeacon [John] Tierney and Cahir Healy hope Donnelly will attend and also expresses delight that Donnelly’s name is going before the convention: “You would easily win by making Partition the big National issue.” Mentions Senator H. O’Doherty. (Incomplete)

1.15 20 Dec. 1933 M. J. Kennedy, Dáil Éireann, Tigh Laighean (Leinster House), Dublin, to Éamon [Donnelly], expressing hope that “the Rest will leave you fit & well to tackle Leix-Offaly when you come out” and passes on acknowledgements from Sean Cullen of The Irish Press

1.16 31 Mar. 1936 Dorothy Macardle, Creevagh, Dundrum, Co. Dublin to Mr [Éamon] Donnelly. Author is finishing a history of the Republic and wishes Donnelly will visit her to read over and check the portion of the manuscript relating to elections and election results.

1.17 1 Oct. 1936 T[omás] Ó Deirg, Dublin, to Éamon Donnelly, Tigh Muire, Courtenay Hill, Newry, replying to a letter from Donnelly: “If Partition can be ended in some such way as you suggest, i.e. by reopening the whole question and making it a practical political issue in the near future, nobody will be better pleased than I shall be. I agree with you that a united Ireland is the objective at which we should aim. […].”

1.18 25 Oct. 1936 [Cahir Healy], 3 Belmore Terrace, Enniskillen to Éamon Donnelly, on the topic of ‘Abstention’. “[...] It would be much more satisfactory if we could have discussed the matter of Abstention personally. At the last Election an Abstention Policy from the Northern Parliament was possible. Today legislation is upon the Statute Book which makes that impracticable save in a modified form. I would do my best to urge a modified Abstention upon the Members, under certain circumstances [...].”1

1.19 24 Nov. 1936 G. N. Ryan, 465 Falls Road, Belfast to Mr [Éamon] Donnelly, concerning information he had been asked to obtain for Donnelly: “[...] The Bishop was reluctant to pronounce any opinion, even a private one […]. The other person – you will no doubt remember whom I mean – would very much like to see you when you are in Belfast again. In the meantime he expressed – somewhat to my surprise – the view that the cause suggested would be ‘absolutely suicidal.’”

1.20

2adh Séamas S. Ó Daimhín [Seamus S. Davin], Ard-Runaidhe [Secretary General] [On Fianna Fáil headed paper] to Éamon [Donnelly], Teach Mhuire, Courtenay Hill, Newry, about Donnelly’s recent trip to Liverpool. “I would be glad to have an account from you regarding the recent Luverpool [sic] functions, and whether any useful purpose could be served by developing further contacts in that centre. Also please state if the financial allowance made you for the trip was sufficient.”

M. Foghmhair [2 Sept.], 1937

1 Only the first page of the letter is part of the Éamon Donnelly Collection. There are two copies of the full, three page letter, in the Cahir Healy papers held at the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland, D2991/B/10/1 2.

1.21 20 Dec. 1937 Cathaeir [Cahir Healy], 44 Belmore Street, Enniskillen to Éamon [Donnelly] on the topic of Nationalist unity and electoral candidacy. “I think the only sensible thing to do in the six Counties, is to link up with F.F. [Fianna Fáil] without becoming part of that organisation. […] I still believe we can get substantial Unity upon practical Abstention, but the seats must be filled by whoever is elected. The alternative is to allow the Labour Group, who refused by a majority to endorse anti-Partition policy, to come in. I hope you will take either Mourne (where Pat O’Neill is vacating) or South Down, De V’s [De Valera’s] seat. You could thus become the connecting link between F.F. and the North, and help us to make a National Policy […].” Also mentions a letter by Father Maguire, recently published in the Irish Press.

1.22

17adh Feabhra Séamas S. Ó Daimhín [Seamus S. Davin], Ard-Runaidhe [Secretary General], Fianna Fáil, Dublin to Éamon Donnelly, Teach Mhuire, Courtney Hill, Newry (on Fianna Fail headed notepaper). Davin wants to know if Donnelly will attend a Demonstration of the Irish Societies in Liverpool on St. Patrick’s Day. The celebrations to include: (1) A Church Parade to Mass (2) An all-Irish evening Service (3) A Public Meeting in the largest Hall in the City.

1.23 27 July 1938 Cahir Healy, 44 Belmore Street, Enniskillen to Mr [Éamon] Donnelly, Belfast Prison, telling him that he is thinking of him during his imprisonment. “We regret that there should be any power of interference with one like yourself who was living as a perfectly peaceable citizen in your native County, or on the border of the Constituency you so long represented. We trust you will soon be at liberty.” There are rough calculations on the back of the letter.

1.24 31 July 1938 P. S. Doyle, Société Des Nations, Genève, [Geneva] to Éamon Donnelly, Ex TD, Crumlin Road Prison, Belfast. Message: “Hearty Greetings”. On postcard depicting S. d. N. – Assemblée en session [League of Nations – A sitting of the Assembly].

1.25 11 Aug. 1938 Seamus O Hair, Bellurgan, Dundalk to [Éamon Donnelly] on Donnelly’s imprisonment: “Congratulations on your determined stand for your rights as an Irishman. You have got my first preference.”

1.26 29 Aug. 1938 Maud Gonne MacBride, Roebuck House, Clonskea [Clonskeagh], Co. Dublin to Éamon Donnelly, about Donnelly’s imprisonment. After acknowledging receipt of Donnelly’s letter, the author writes: “Sojourn in H. M. [His Majesty] of England[’]s jails is rarely conducive to health. I do hope you will soon be feeling stronger. […] I want news of all the 30 prisoners in Crumlin Rd. […] I believe a big united effort could get their release. […] Your arrest, though horrid for yourself, did a lot of good but was not half used as it should have been by your own political friends.”

1.27 24 Sept. 1938 Maud Gonne MacBride, Roebuck House, Clonskea [Clonskeagh], Co. Dublin to Mr [Éamon] Donnelly, asking him to dine at Roebuck when next in Dublin and mentioning a special edition of Prison Bars which she is having published.

1.28 24 Sept. 1938 Cahir Healy, 44 Belmore Street, Enniskillen to Éamon

Donnelly, referring to Donnelly’s lecture in Dublin, Donnelly’s exclusion by the Northern government, meetings arranged by the G.A.A., the Council for National Unity, and Healy’s abstention from the Northern Parliament.

1.29 6 Oct. 1938 Cahir Healy, 44 Belmore Street, Enniskillen to Éamon

Donnelly, Newry, enclosing a copy of a resolution passed on 4 Oct. 1938 at a meeting of the Nationalist Members of the Northern Ireland Parliament and Senate. Healy desires Donnelly, as the northern representative on the Fianna Fáil Executive, to have the party’s headquarters staff transmit it to any National organisations in the United States “who might be able to help us”. The resolution states: “We request representative Irish-Americans in the United States to come together and arrange to send an impartial Commission to

Northern Ireland, on the lines of the British Council for Civil Liberties in 1935, to take evidence upon the treatment of the National minority here since 1921 and issue a Report”. Healy further writes: “We can prove to such a body that Lord Craigavon has ignored the express conditions of the British Government of Ireland Act 1920 under which his Parliament functions, which prohibited the Government from giving a preference or privilege on account pf [sic] religion in the making of public appointments, and that the administration of the law is partial and unjust, resulting in riots in 1935, the chief sufferers being the Nationalists.”

1.30 19 Oct. 1938 Cahir Healy, 44 Belmore Street, Enniskillen to Éamon [Donnelly], concerning Partition, inviting Donnelly to attend a meeting in Dungannon, and suggesting he set up “a Federation of all existing societies in the North” in order to appeal for funds: “De ‘V’s [De Valera’s] interview has opened up the matter of Partition once again. It will be an unpleasant pill if Fermanagh and other Co’s [Counties] are to be left under the harrow for all time. However, if P.R were restored, and gerrymandering abolished, with its property franchise, we might pull out fairly well. [...]”

1.31 3 Nov. 1938 Liam T. MacConmhaigh [Liam T. MacConway], 43 Ferns Road, Kimmage, Dublin to Éamon Donnelly, Courtnay Hill, Newry, placing himself at Donnelly’s service: “[…] My one passionate desire in life is to see the restoration of Irelands nationhood and I accordingly devote my life to that Ideal. If there is any particular task that I can carry forward here in Dublin don’t hesitate in sending me the necessary instructions [...].”

1.32 17 Nov. 1938 Cahir Healy, 44 Belmore Street, Enniskillen to Éamon Donnelly, referring to tensions with the Orangemen and ‘B Specials’: “The issue of a counter poster for an Orange meeting at Newtownbutler is reg[a]rded as the work of a small extremists group in South Fermanagh. They have gone around pulling down our posters and putting up their own

in the night in a car. They are the “B” men. Father Maguire was asked to cancel his meeting by the police, or it was strongly suggested to him there might be trouble with the “B” men if he persisted. The main idea, I think, is not to hold a counter meeting but to intimidate people from coming to our meeting by spreading the idea that there may be a conflict. The “Fermanagh Times” has cultivated that idea for two weeks. Fermanagh folks are not notable for wanting to be in any trouble. They are shy folks. […] I think you will find from this on, in the Border areas anyhow, a desire on the part of the Orange Order to prevent our holding meetings.”

1.33 28 Nov. 1938 Tomás [Moran?], Anti-Partition League of Great Britain, 116 Church Road, Litherland, Liverpool to Éamon [Donnelly], about Donnelly and others attending a demonstration in Liverpool: “Mr [Cahir] Healy has informed me that Mr Mulvey will in all probability go on to Dungannon on Sunday December the 4th but that He, Erskine Childers and Yourself [Donnelly] will be with us in Liverpool. I do hope that this holds good so that we will not have to disappoint the people here.”

1.34 13 Feb. 1939 Cahir Healy, 44 Belmore Street, Enniskillen to Éamon Donnelly: “Father C [Father Eugene Coyle], on his return, said he purposely refrained from mentioning our Plan to anyone. He just listened to the other side giving their views, from which he concluded that they were not willing to have two parties with fingers in the pie. [...] About Down, I am glad to hear the spirit is so good. You could get a meeting at a Church any Sunday, in any place. Jos Stewart tells me that County has more Catholics and Nationalists on their Public Service Committees than all the other six Counties. So it does not appear as if the Unity Council has worked any miracle, so far. So many priests refuse to have anything at all to do with us that we can afford to have one or two helpers, even if they are not always as diplomatic as they might be. Most of them prefer lying in the armchair reading, smoking and passing judgment upon the rest of us.” He also mentions some press

1.35

articles including one by St. John Irvine [St. John Ervine], which he describes as “the most vitriolic I have ever seen”, and another alleging Communist literature was distributed at a meeting of the anti-Partition League in Manchester.

18 Feb. 1939 Cathaeir [Cahir Healy], 44 Belmore Street, Enniskillen to Éamon Donnelly, largely about Éamon de Valera and antipartitionism: “If we are to try the Cosgrave formulae, –convert the Orangemen, it is too evidently a means of getting rid of the difficulty. Dev ought to have made it plain that until Partition was ended neither he nor anyone else could co-operate in any scheme of defence. The spending of five millions is of no use to this country but is of great use to England. Whilst [Frank] Aiken said that we were arming to assert our neutrality, De Valera admitted frankly that we could not be neutral, as our right to supply food to England would bring us into the category of participants. […] If De V has not made some promise to Chamberlain, his attitude is very perplexing. He must lead or else we must help anyone else who does – – I.R.A, or anyone. If young men get sick of waiting for a lead, who can blame them for doing something. We are a land of talkers mainly […] De V[alera] made a civil war about the difference between Document 1 and 2, but he is not prepared to say ‘boo’ to C[hamberlain] over the loss of six counties after all he concluded another good bargain for the 26 counties! […] He will go, as Cosgrave went, if he does not get right on top of this issue [...].”

1.36 23 Feb. 1939 Cathaeir [Cahir Healy], 44 Belmore Street, Enniskillen to Éamon [Donnelly], referring to Éamon de Valera and to issues of Nationalist unity: “I am glad you think there is a ‘new way’ in F.F [Fianna Fáil] in regard to partition. Up here the people who were Dev mad are beginning to fear he would end where Cosgrave did. The meeting in Belfast consisted of many who were not in our camp. We wanted to get the views of reprssentative [sic] people, whether on one side or the other. There was no talk of unity in the sense in which the papers report it. We know we have essential unity

upon the only matter which is of vital National importance. What we want to do is to present a demand to the Eire Government to get on with the only work of importance which remains. I think you are very much wanted to lead the Crusade […] Why does not Dev arrange for a Crusade in America? He is going as the friend of the U.S.A in a friendly guise. It will be more difficult for him, personally, to say unpleasant disturbing things than it w[oul]d be for you. My only hope is that the new army will be strong enough and well enough equipped to do National work. There is precious little need for them to defend our shores, unless we have the shores. […].”

1.37 18 Mar. 1939 Cahir Healy to Éamon Donnelly, seeking Donnelly’s presence at an anti-Partition meeting in London: “They want you & [Erskine] Childers. They have been sent, instead Noel Harnett, a good chap but not known. […] Pakenham & two English M.P’s are coming. They will defray all expenses. […] I hope you can come as they want some well known Northerner […].” (Written on the headed paper of The National University of Ireland Club, University House, 13a Lower Grosvenor Place, London.)

1.38 21 Mar. 1939 Cahir Healy, Royal Bank, Naas to Éamon [Donnelly].

Healy is glad Donnelly has decided to come to London (see NMM:2011.29.1.37) and expresses views on the Executive and their position on Partition: “I am sure Dublin only wants an excuse to let Partition die as an issue. They will have it for window dressing on special occasions, after the manner of the Irish Party & Home Rule. I am trying to get a group of well known Northern people to come together & “Jog” them up. We want a National non-party Council for all Ireland.” Healy also refers to the “Cooneen Ghost”, to be broadcast on the BBC, for which he supplied the story and N. C. Hunter the drama.

1.39 31 March 1939 Cahir [Healy], 44 Belmore Street, Enniskillen to Éamon [Donnelly], referring to Donnelly’s attendance at an antiPartition meeting in London and the policies and activities of Neville Chamberlain and Éamon de Valera prior to the outbreak of the Second World War: “[…] I read the report of your Euston Road meeting [London] and gathered you had a big crowd and a few disgruntled folk on one side and the other. If F.F [Fianna Fáil] will now take the bit in their teeth and arrange to have England organised, it will put the Parties there into a fix if bodies of voters begin to ask them for guranantees [sic] before voting at the General Election, which is now almost in sight. It is for De V[alera] to come back to Dublin (as he said Collins and Griffith ought to have done), and let his colleagues know what Chamberlain’s attitude is really. He is not going up and down to Chequers to discuss the weather! […] I agree De V[alera] should speak to his Irish Race here before going off to Chicago […].”

1.40 17 Apr. 1939 Cahir [Healy], 44 Belmore Street, Enniskillen to Éamon [Donnelly], referring to Donnelly’s lecture in Dublin, Nationalist unity, and Justice Humphreys’ tirade about “the murder of British soldiers in 1921”, as well as to Neville Chamberlain and Éamon de Valera: “Even with the interruptions of the young men, you got home a number of good points, viz the repeal of the Constitution, Clause 3. [...] The Council for Unity w[oul]d not come in with us. Not much evidence of ‘unity’ there. However we’ll go on without them. I see the Eire Gov[ernmen]t has moved in the matter of Justice Humphrey’s tirade about ‘the murder of British soldiers in 1921’. Nearly time. They must be pushed to do what they ought as a matter of justice to jump to. Some people up here believe that De V[alera] has some promise from Chamberlain which has caused him to call off the F.F [Fianna Fáil] propaganda arranged at the Ard Fheis, including his own great meeting in Dublin before departing for America […].”

1.41 28 Apr. 1939 Cahir [Healy], 44 Belmore Street, Enniskillen to Éamon Donnelly, on Éamon de Valera and conscription: “Your prognostication of what De V[alera] should do in this instance agreed with his own action. He is not going to the U.S.A. He learned a lesson, I think, from his last adventure at the League of Nations. He ought to have been at home then, too. If he had gone to America, he would have met nothing only division amongst our countrymen out there. […] But what are we going to do about Conscription? De V[alera] ought to take the lead in getting a movement to prevent the conscription of his Nationals in the Six Counties. He will meet with a great deal of sympathy from the Unionists in this matter. Any Movement of this kind ought to be an AllIreland and All-Party one. […] There is a chance of uniting the whole people as in 1918, even for a short time, upon this Conscription issue. We ought not to fear anything in our opposition.”

1.42 24 May 1939 Cahir [Healy], 44 Belmore Street, Enniskillen to Éamon Donnelly, expressing his dissatisfaction with the progress of anti-Partition in Eire and mentions letters he has received from Erskine Childers and Louis Walsh: “[…] I have had some letters with Childers. I asked him why had they abandoned the 26 County meetings arranged? He says I must get into touch with the F.F [Fianna Fáil] Committee over wh[ich] the Min[ister] for Posts and Teleg[raph]s presides, and he will tell me of an advanced programme upon Partition! […] Louis Walsh wrote about your suggestion re Clause 3 of the Constitution. He thought it was not a wise suggestion as it would immediately open the Border to Belfast, and end there, so far as National benefits went.” Healy also mentions being troubled with bronchial catarrh.

1.43 22 June 1939 Cahir [Healy], Beechcliffe & Pier View Hotel, Bournemouth to Éamon [Donnelly], about the leadership of Éamon de Valera, the potential leverage opportunity created by the war, and nationalist unity. Healy writes: “If you strike out on ‘leadership,’ many people will not understand. Why

1.44

not say, simply, ‘Dev must either lead or be led’? This might stir him into action, as the idea of being led by anyone will probably Jog him into action. I doubt very much that any Republican w[oul]d win anywhere against F.F. [Fianna Fáil]. Those who are R[epublican] doctrinaires make a lot of noise in proportion to their size. [...] Dev has the power to make matters uncomfortable for England & Roosevelt, if he will bend his energies to that point. If he merely intends going to the U.S.A to give 20 interviews or address 30 meetings & then come home, we ought to make our views plain before-hand. An organisation embracing Germans, Irish & Italians sh[oul] d be set up which w[oul]d have only one aim – to assist the Isolationists there in their campaign. […] We make too much of differences that don’t matter. Sure, we have varied views in regard to colours, clothes etc. In National matters we walk the same road, towards the same goal. The trouble about clause 3 of the C[onstitution] is that the first reaction w[oul] d be the abolition of the Customs border & the flooding of the 26 counties with goods from G[rea]t Britain & N. Ireland. All the folk in the 26 county factories – the vast majority anyhow – w[oul]d be out of work immediately. [...] Dev can never get the people to substitute anything for Partition as No 1 in the National Programme, even if he wanted to. The silent sympathy with the I.R.A in their activities is proof of that. I agree that nothing only physical force will trouble England in times of peace. If other times come – & they seem pretty much on the horizon – then will come Dev’s test time & maybe ours […].”

4 July 1939 Cahir [Healy], Beechcliffe & Pier View Hotel, Bournemouth to Éamon [Donnelly], referring to the I.R.A. campaign, the plan of Alderman Byrne of Dublin to form a battalion of orators to press the case for Irish unity, Éamon de Valera’s continuing “policy of masterly inactivity”, and his own ill health: “I think forcing a fight with fellow Nat[ationalist] s wrong in principle, even tho[ugh] they may be wrong in tactics.”

1.45 19 July 1939 Cahir [Healy], 44 Belmore Street, Enniskillen, to Éamon [Donnelly], referring to meetings in Cork and Dublin, as well as to Éamon de Valera and his attitude on partition: “I don[’] t think it would be difficult to set the border counties going. The trouble is, people say: ‘We are all for a united Ireland. Everyone already knows that’. It merely keeps the matter alive and before the eyes of the public. But at the bottom the only persons who need to be awakened are the F.F. [Fianna Fáil] statesmen, and De V[alera] himself in particular. His attitude to the whole question is puzzling. You ought to be able to get to know what F.F is going to do, or if it will not take the initiative, we ought to be told why. Really this is the weak spot. [...] What is De V[alera]’s opinion now and what is he going to do? I realise he is off to the U.S.A in Sep[tember]. Does he intend merely holding a few meetings, coming home and leaving it at that, or is he going to set up an organisation in America for the special purpose of ending partition here? He certainly cannot achieve it by half a dozen interviews and as many meetings.” Healy also refers to a pamphlet he wrote on Partition at the request of de Valera and Tommy Mullen.

1.46 15 Mar. 1940 Cahir [Healy], 44 Belmore Street, Enniskillen, to Éamon [Donnelly], referring to Donnelly’s illness and also Benjamin Sumner Welles (an American government official and diplomat in the Foreign Service): “I knew that when I first wrote London that Sumner Well[es] would never help us. He was sent forth to help our enemy. I just wanted to remind the British that we were alive. Yes, the clouds are gathering over E, and if our friends in Dublin are able to play the right cards at the right time, we may sail in on the flood-tide yet. I have confidence in De V[alera], if for no other reason than that if we go down he goes down with us. […]”. He also writes about a recent meeting of the Northern Council for Unity in Belfast.

1.47 11 Oct. 1940 [Éamon Donnelly] to the Editor of The Irish Press, Dublin, referring to a recent speech by John M. Andrews, a speech of 1912 by Mr. R. Thompson (Chairman of the Belfast Harbour Board), Churchill’s visit to Ulster, Lord Craigavon (who “goes on forever”), conscription, Lord Londonderry and Ribbentrop. He writes: “People in Belfast, like Mr. Andrews, have no native land. Unlike the Normans, they never merged with the old Irish and have been described by a famous Irishman as ‘political mules with neither pride of ancestry nor hope of posterity.’ They rant about ‘priests in politics’ while they send their parsons to Westminster and the tighter the fix Britain finds herself in, this is the time chosen by the loyal sons of Empire to milk dry the Imperial cow.

In this dreadful conflict, when the last man and woman in Britain are giving their all in defence of their country – in London, Dover, Liverpool, Manchester and Birmingham –there are no volunteers from ‘Ulster’! In sheltered, well-paid jobs, in the Specials and other odds and ends are the loyalists of military age, while from the Labour Exchanges emerge the broken papists, en route for the front lines in Britain, or they will forfeit their unemployment dole. Military conscription was killed, but economic conscription is rampant.

The average Irishman likes the average Englishman and wants to be friends with him, but what can never be understood is how the Britisher allows himself to be imposed upon by the political adventurers of Belfast. True, there are decent young Protestants in the North who want an end put to this Belfast hypocrisy, but they are a minority. Is it too much to hope that in the new world after the war this nightmare of hypocrisy and ascendancy will pass with the others. Even before that time comes, Britain in her own interests should put a full stop to the dishonest activities of this group of fossilized bigots who pose as statemen, but who take good care they are always paid in advance for their services [...].”

1.48 18 Dec. 1940 Éamon [Donnelly], “Tig muire”, Courtenay Hill, Newry to Mr Maxwell, about a potential anti-Partition conference, its composition and what it might do: “Suppose a conference on the broadest anti-Partition lines met what c[oul]d. or sh[oul]d. it do? [...] It c[oul]d. firstly demand an unqualified application of the constitution to all Ireland. Secondly admit members of Northern Constituencies to Dail Eireann, thirdly ultimatum to Britain that settlement of Partition must be on the same lines as minority was dealt with after U.S.A war of Independence, viz, buy out those who refuse to accept new regime of all-Ireland Parliament; fourthly send out to U.S.A a delegation well versed in the subject matter Consequences &c of Partition. Fifthly, demand general application of neutrality policy. Sixthly Defence of country w[oul]d. be the job of allIreland Parliament as w[oul]d. everything else of course. As regards the economic angle this is most important & I believe the strongest weapon of all involving as it does such concerns as the G.N.R. banks & trading firms.” (Draft)

1.49 30 Jan. 1941 Cahir [Healy], 44 Belmore Street, Enniskillen, to Éamon [Donnelly], referring to the visit of the American emissary, Wendell Willkie and a forthcoming County Meeting of the Green Cross. He also reacts to a broadcast by Éamon de Valera: “I thought de V[alera]’s broadcast last evening would have had something to say about the National issue. It was, instead, a repetition of the other’s Minister’s – more pigs, n[o] more potatoes! As if every man and woman in the 26 Counties does not rise each morning from a dream of famine. He may be wiser than we and have a trump card concealed in his hand. It seems, however, at the moment, as if the English Food Controller had had him badly scared […].”

1.50 3 Feb. 1941 S. McKeown, 19 St. James Parade, Belfast to Mr [Éamon] Donnelly, originally enclosing a copy of a suggested appeal which McKeown sent to the Cardinal, the Bishops and the other trustees of the [Green Cross] Fund for approval.

1.51 5 Feb. 1941 Cahir [Healy], 44 Belmore Street, Enniskillen to Éamon Donnelly, referring to the visit of an American deputation (including Wendell Willkie), Catholic Study Circles, and the Green Cross Fund: “As W.W only gave one day’s notice of his visit to Dublin, (having already announced that he was not coming), I don[’]t see how it was possible for anyone to arrange a meeting or deputation in that time. In his rush he would certainly have refused to see any ‘troublesome’ folks, like us. His fulsome tribute to Churchill on that evening indicates just where he stands. He, Col[onel William J.] Donovan and the other personal representatives of President Roosevelt, are engaged in sounding the ground for a peace foundation, if it can be found in time. [...]

The Bishops of Derry and Belfast have been endeavouring for some time, through Catholic Study Circles, to train teachers and semi-professional young men in the need for and the responsibilities of Catholic Action with a view to membership of public boards. Catholic Social Weeks are now the fashion. […]

Much can be done in the U.S.A. We have neglected that, but the Fianna Fail people, who undertook to put Partition first always, and took office with that promise, have the means to implement that promise and have failed to do so […].”

1.52 10 Feb. 1941 Caitlín Bean uí Cléirig [Kathleen Clarke], Ard Maor [Lord Mayor], Mansion House, Dublin to Éamon Donnelly, Courtenay Hill, Newry, about Donnelly’s invitation for her to come to Newry for St. Patrick’s Day: “I had intended giving a Lunch to the Dublin Corporation that day, but if you think I would do more good nationally by going to Newry, I could postpone luncheon until Easter. [...] I find I must get a travel permit to go North, so I would want to know as soon as possible what you think.”

1.53 15 Mar. 1941 Tom Dowdall of Dowdall, O’Mahoney & Co. Limited, Margarine Manufacturers & Butter Merchants, Cork to

Éamon Donnelly, Tigh Muire, Courtney Hill, Newry, concerning the raising of funds for the Green Cross Fund. Dowdall mentions the refusal of the Red Cross to contribute to the cause and gives some alternative suggestions for raising funds.

1.54 22 Mar. 1941 Tom Dowdall of Dowdall, O’Mahoney & Co. Limited, Margarine Manufacturers & Butter Merchants, Cork to Éamon Donnelly, Tigh Muire, Courtney Hill, Newry, referring to the Green Cross Fund and the war: “You certainly speak the truth when you say that ‘freedom was never won by Algebra or Proportional Representation.’ If the British get out of this war unbeaten, I think they may be induced to consider the unity of the whole country. It is not the English that I mind so much in this matter – though they were the instigators of it – as the North of Ireland privileged classes who got vested interests by the establishment of a Parliament in the Six Counties.”

1.55 27 Oct. 1942 Thomas Joseph [T. J.] Campbell, 27 Old Cavehill Road, Belfast to Éamon Donnelly, Hon. Secretary, Green Cross Fund, 72 Castle Street, [Belfast] (with stamped envelope), on the Falls election: “I regret that we do not see to eye about the Falls Election. Men may differ on policy and remain good friends. I trust this will prove so in our case. I have been a lifelong Nationalist. A Nationalist I remain.”

1.56 29 Nov. 1943 Cahir Healy, 44 Belmore Street, Enniskillen to Éamon Donnelly, M.P., expressing regret that he cannot attend the Green Cross Céilidh in Newry because he has only just come out of hospital. Healy adds: “I think it will not be disputed that partition is responsible for all our National unrest, North and South. If we had a united Ireland we should have few, if any, internees within the four seas of this kingdom.”

1.57 16 June 1944 P. Burke, 78 Portrane Avenue, Donabate, Co. Dublin to Éamon Donnelly, Tigh Mhuire, Courtenay Hill, Newry, conveying the sympathies of the County Dublin Fianna Fáil Delegates following the death of Mrs Donnelly.

1.58 1 Dec. 1944 Hugh [Corvin], 13 Orpen Road, Finaghy, Belfast to Éamon [Donnelly], referring to the latter’s illness and the activities of the Green Cross Fund.

1.59 13 Dec. 1944 Richard Mulcahy, 16 Hume Street, Dublin to Éamon [Donnelly], referring to the latter’s illness so soon after he had taken such a prominent part in the Fianna Fáil Ard Fheis.

1.60 9 Jan. 1945 Dan Breen to Sean Donnelly (on Dáil Éireann headed paper), conveying his sympathy following the death of Sean’s father, Éamon Donnelly.

1.61 23 Jan. 1972 [Nell (Eleanor Marie) Donnelly Wood] to Maire [?], written to accompany transcripts of her father’s correspondence relating to the visit of Dr. [Daniel] Mannix [Archbishop of Melbourne] to Dublin: “From my Father’s notes it would appear he arranged for Revv. [sic] Michael McCarville and Malachy Clarke (Meath St.) and a Canon Duffy to meet Dr. Mannix who agreed to visit the graves. It was something my Father considered he ought to do – hence, ‘Use your own discretion’ I suspect!! I remember there was quite a bit of ‘manipulating and negotiating’ at the time, but there was very little Daddy could not achieve!!” (Typescript draft)

1.62 23 Jan. 1972 Letter summaries written by [Nell (Eleanor Marie) Donnelly Wood], relating to the correspondence of Dr [Daniel] Mannix with Éamon Donnelly. The letter summaries are written on the back of a typed invitation and information sheet relating to a musical tribute to the late very Rev. James Paul Canon Burke of Hilltown. The tribute to be held in St. Colman’s Hall, Trevor Hill, Newry on 7 April 1968, where the Newry Choral Union (conducted by Father Seamus Moore) will give a performance of Handel’s ‘Messiah’; the soloists will be Irene Sandford, Eileen Gavin, Martin Welsh and Eric Hinds; and the orchestra will include Evan John and Harold Uprichard.

[7 Dec. 1923]

1.63 “Thursday” “Daddy” [Éamon Donnelly], from prison, to his daughter Nellie [Eleanor Marie] Donnelly, wishing her a happy 20th birthday: “‘About release it seems no nearer – as far as I can see. This is an awful dungeon of a place & this last day or so I haven’t been quite up for the mark but am getting well again. One has these ‘turns’ I understand. But I am very well compared with some of the others. The physical, & mental agony is awful, there are a couple very bad yet perhaps I sh[oul]d. say four who are suffering. […] Tell me all you do, where you go, who are your friends & what church you go to. Don’t think I doubt you but I want to be happy about you & know how your daily life passes. Prayer & communion constantly remember that [...].”

1.64 Undated “Daddy” [Éamon Donnelly] to his daughter Nellie [Eleanor Marie] Donnelly, containing family news.

1.65 Undated Edw. [?], Saorstát Éireann, to Éamon Donnelly. Message: “I am glad to see your sojourn ‘up North’ hasn’t done you any harm.”

1.66 Undated [Post Séamas S. Ó Daimhín [Seamus S. Davin], Ard-Runaidhe [Secretary General] to [Éamon Donnelly], giving the results of the Sligo-Leitrim by-election which Donnelly contested and also indicating that an admission ticket to the [Fianna Fáil] Ard Fheis has been despatched to Newry for Donnelly.

TELEGRAMS

7 June 1929]

1.67 3 Apr. 1925 Nells [Eleanor Marie Donnelly], Armagh, to the Donnelly [family], Woodvale, Omeath: “Frank here Dady [sic] visiting booths polling steadily Will wire later”.

1.68 4 Apr. 1925 Nell [Eleanor Marie Donnelly], Armagh to the Donnelly [family], Woodvale, Omeath: “Count unfinished not coming tonight No information yet”.

1.69 5 Apr. 1925 Nellie [Eleanor Marie Donnelly], Armagh to the Donnelly [family], Woodvale, Omeath: “Armagh declares for Republic vast majority”.

1.70 6 Apr. 1925 “E & N”, Dublin to Éamon Donnelly, T.D., Woodvale, Omeath: “Congratulations”.

1.71 6 Apr. 1925 [?], Dublin, to Éamon Donnelly, Woodvale, Omeath: “Congratulations on great victory”.

1.72 6 Apr. 1925 Éamon O Duffy & Colema[n], Omagh to [Éamon] Donnelly, Republican Election Rooms, Armagh: “Heartiest Congratulations and all good wishes first count proceeding here nothing definite yet our chances slight”.

1.73 20 Oct. 1925 Archbishop [Daniel] Mannix, Rathluirc [Charleville] to [Éamon] Donnelly, 23 Suffolk Street, Dublin: “Use your own discretion”.

1.74 31 Jan. 1933 Seamus Devins [Devin], Grange, Sligo to Éamon Donnelly, Fianna Fáil Headquarters, Dublin: “Heartiest congratulations from Grange”.

1.75 31 Jan. 1933 P[atrick] Boland, Ballycumber, [Co. Offaly] to Éamon Donnelly, 9 Northumberland Road, Dublin: “OK”.

1.76 31 Jan. 1933 Councillor John Barry, Rathluirc to Éamon Donnelly, 9 Northumberland Road, Dublin: “Leix Offally [sic] vindicated your indefatigable fight for Irish freedom thousand congratulations”.

1.77 2 II [Feb.] 1933 [Patrick] Boland, Ballycumber to Éamon Donnelly, 9 Northumberland Road, Dublin: “Richmond Hospital”.

1.78 3 II [Feb.] 1933 Liam Forde, Limerick to Fianna Fail Offices, Mount Street, Dublin: “Will President speak Limerick Saturday night.”

1.79 16 Nov. 1937 [Seamus] Davin, Dublin to [Éamon] Donnelly, Teach mhuire, Courtnay Hill, Newry: “Will you go Liverpool to deliver oration Manchester Martyrs anniversary Sunday 21st November”.

1.80 18 Dec. 1937 [Seamus] Davin, Dublin to [Éamon] Donnelly, Teach Muire, Courtnay Hill, Newry: “Executive meeting Monday as usual”.

1.81 9 Nov. 1942 [Cahir] Healy, Brixton to [Éamon] Donnelly, MP, 72 Castle Street, Belfast, congratulating him on his victory in the Belfast Falls Division by-election.

1.82 9 Nov. 1942 Roger MacCorley, Dublin to Éamon Donnelly, c/o Flynn, 159 Springfield Road, Belfast: “Northern Republicans in capital elated at your success speed the day”.

1.83 10 Nov. 1942 Eveline and Felix Devlin, Dublin to Éamon Donnelly, Courtney Hill, Newry: “Belated nevertheless hearty congratulations”.

1.84 22 Mar. 1943 [Dan?] Breen, Dublin to Éamon Donnelly, MP, Newry: “Expect your [sic] early Wednesday”.

1.85 21 May 1943 [Joseph?] Bren[n]an, Dunkineely, [Co. Donegal] to Éamon Donnelly, MP, Newry: “Come Mountcharles Fair tomorrow Saturday if possible”.

1.86 21 May 1943 [?] Darwin, Dublin to Éamon Donnelly, Teach Mhuire, Courtnay Hill, Newry: “Can you go Cork City for election campaign have asked for you down here”.

1.87 22 May 1943 [?] Neeson, 12 Patrick Street, Cork to Éamon Donnelly, MP, Newry: “Anxious you come Cork election period”.

1.88 26 May 1943 Ted [Timothy] O’Sullivan and Seán Buckley, An Dáil, Dublin to Éamon Donnelly, MP, Newry: “Will you come to West Cork this week reply to Leinster House stating when”.

1.89 31 May 1943 [Michael] Kennedy, TD, Castlepollard to [Éamon] Donnelly, MP, Courtney Hill, Newry: “Come and direct elections”.

1.90 5 June 1943 [Michael] Kennedy, Castlepollard to [Éamon] Donnelly, Courtney Hill, Newry: “Try and come for the 13th”.

1.91 5 June 1943 [?] Neeson, Cork to Éamon Donnelly, MP, Newry: “When can you come Cork City”.

POLITICAL MATERIAL

2.1 [1 Aug. 1915] Oration of P[atrick] H[enry] Pearse over [Jeremiah O’Donovan] Rossa’s Grave.

2.2 3 May 1916 Newspaper article copied from the Liverpool Express, on Liverpool Nationalists’ condemnation of revolt [Easter Rising] as “A Treacherous Outrage” and a “Glorified form of Larkinism”.

2.3 23 June 1916 Printed ‘report’ on Lloyd George’s Proposals, on “Government and Ulster”, Belfast Convention.

2.4 1919–1921 Typescript copies of Democratic Programme of Dáil Éireann 1919 (Issued at the meeting of the first Dáil Éireann, January 21, 1919) and Dáil Decrees, 1919–1921.

2.5 22 Apr.– Handwritten description of Michael Collins, stamped by the District Inspector of the Royal Irish Constabulary, Magherafelt, which was sent to local stations whose sergeants have signed and dated it before forwarding it on.

29 June 1921

2.6 7–10 May 1923 Terms of Settlement Draft given to A. Jameson and J. Douglas by President Éamon de Valera and read in the Free State “Parliament” (Text from Irish Times report May 10 1923).

2.7 16 Oct. 1924 Exclusion order served on Éamon Donnelly, of Tullyard House, Co. Armagh, under the Civil Authorities (Special Powers) Act (Northern Ireland) 1922, prohibiting Donnelly from entering the Counties of Armagh, Down, Tyrone, Fermanagh and Londonderry, and the city of Belfast.

2.8 28 Sept. 1925 GNR 3rd Class train ticket from Goraghwood to Dundalk. Fare 2s 8d. Presented by Sir R. Dawson Bates to Éamon Donnelly and Mic[h]eal O’Flannagáin [Father Michael O’Flanagan].

2.9 8 Dec. 1925 Notes and telegrams relating to a meeting against Partition in the Shelbourne Hotel, Dublin:

Telegram from Deputy [Patrick] McKenna, Haworth: “Deputy OMally Meeting Room Shelbourne Hotel Dublin: Illness prevents my attendance at meeting object has my support”.

Telegram from E. Pope, Clonmel: “OMaille Shelbourne, Dublin. Emmets epithiph [epitaph] Doomed By so called Irishmen”.

2.10 [1925] Address to the Most Reverend Daniel Mannix, Archbishop of Melbourne (Irish and English versions).

2.11 [1932?] Fianna Fáil electioneering poster, discussing “Two sets of pensioners (Old Age Pension)”. Published by election agent, Éamon Donnelly.

2.12 c.1937 Constitution and Rules of the Northern Council for Unity. Printed by the Frontier Sentinel, Newry.

2.13 28 July 1938 Summons: The King at the Prosecution of District Inspector J. W. Stratford, R.U.C., Newry, Co. Down v. Edward Donnelly, detained in Belfast Prison, with handwritten notes relating to Donnelly’s defence on the back.

2.14 June 1938 Members of 10th Dáil, listed by party and constituency, and including addresses of the T.D.s.

2.15 1938–9 List of names and addresses of the Fianna Fáil National Executive and constituency delegates.

2.16 9 July [1940] Invitation from the Lord Mayor of Dublin to the citizens of Dublin, the Mayors of other cities, T.D.s and Senators to attend a public meeting in the Mansion House in relation to an Appeal for a Reprieve of Tomás MacCurtain, under sentence of death in Mountjoy Prison.

2.17 14 January Northern Ireland Publicity Service bulletin, with articles on Mr [John M.] Andrews and “The Six County Muddle”, Lord Londonderry and the Ulster Unionist Council, and the Y.M.C.A. report dealing with social conditions in the Six Counties [Northern Ireland].

1941

2.18 [June 1943] Election manifesto of Seán Buckley and Ted [O’]Sullivan of Fianna Fáil (Republican Party) to the Electors of West Cork.

2.19 Undated Headings for an agreement between Republicans, for combined action at the forthcoming General Election.

2.20 Undated Rough list of composition for a convention in handwriting of Éamon Donnelly.

2.21 Undated Rough list of personnel for a conference, in handwriting of Éamon Donnelly.

2.22 Undated Rough notes of Éamon Donnelly.

2.23 Undated Rough notes.

2.24 Undated Handwritten tables recording cumain [cumann] [branch], reg[istration?] units, chapels and secretaries for Borris and Abbeyleix, and for Mountmellick.

2.25 24 May 1936 Invitation: The Minister of Defence requests the honour of the presence of Éamon Donnelly, Esq., T.D. in the Reserved Enclosure, Upr. Merrion St., on the occasion of the presentation to the President of the Executive Council of the Roll of Honour signed by the participants in the Easter Week Rising, 1916.

2.26 1936–1937 Fianna Fáil (Republican Party) cárta comhalta [member’s card], with aims of Fianna Fáil printed at front and quotations of Wolfe Tone and Fintan Lalor on the back cover.

2.27 17 Apr. 19[38?] Platform ticket for Fianna Fáil Republican Party’s Easter Week Celebration to be held in St. Mungo Hall, Moffat St., Glasgow. With handwritten addresses on the back. (Two copies)

2.28 17 Apr. 1938 Ticket relating to Kevin Barry Cumman, Fianna Fáil, Easter Week celebration, Maryhill Burgh Hall, Gairbraid Avenue, [Glasgow]. Éamon Donnelly T.D. speaking, followed by an Irish Ireland Concert.

2.29 17 Apr. 19[38?] Concert ticket for the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick, Irish concert in commemoration of Easter Week, 1916 in A.O.H. Hall, Benalder Street, Partick Cross, on Easter Sunday (17th April): St. Mungo’s Concert Party In Rebel Songs, Dances and Sketches; and prominent members of An Dáil will be giving short lectures on Irish affairs.

2.30 Undated Sinn Féin platform ticket for Miss Devanny.

2.31 29 Aug. 1937 Speech by Éamon Donnelly at ‘James Moran Commemoration’, Liverpool. Written on ‘Ulster Imperial Line M.V. Ulster Prince’ headed paper.

2.32 [1938] Speech by Éamon Donnelly.

2.33 6 Mar. 1939 Lecture delivered in Town Hall, Dun Laoghaire.

2.34 Undated Lecture headings/notes.

2.35 Undated Reporter’s note book belonging to Éamon Donnelly. Includes speech and other notes, for instance relating to elections, made by Donnelly.

2.36 Undated Loose page detached from notepad, with notes made by Éamon Donnelly on T.D.s and meetings.

2.37

Dec. 1933 Jail Journal of Éamon Donnelly. Granted for educational purposes, it consists of newspaper clippings and quotations from books read by Donnelly whilst in prison. Quotations are taken from/on the following topics: life of the Blessed Virgin Mary by Very Rev. F. C. Husenbeth Provost of Northampton; “The monstrous regiment” by Hollis; History of Mexico & Life of President Diaz; “French Revolution” by Van Loon; “Balance of Power”; “The Rise of Russia”; “English Revolution”; “The Rise of Prussia”; “History of Mankind”; “American Revolution”; “National Independence”; “Andreas Vesalius” (Medical); On Rome & Carthage; On Charlemagne; “Twelve Catholic men of Science” by Sir Bertram Windle; On “Discoveries”; H. Ford, Today & tomorrow; on “Industry”; and H. G. Wells, History. Pages 25-26 gives a list of books:

(1) “History of Mankind” Van Loon (2) The monstrous Regiment Hollis (3) Decisive Wars of History Liddell Hart

(4) Porfirio Diaz Pres of Mexico Mrs Tweedie (5) Twelve Catholic men of science Sir Bertram Windle (6) Life of Blessed Virgin (7) Life of Columbus (8) Discoverers & Navigators in world history (9) French Revolution (10) American Revolution (11) Rise of Russia (12) Bismarck & unification of Germany (13) Garibaldi, Mazzini & Cavour (Italy) (14) Garibaldi & the making of Italy (15) The downfall of Roman Empire (16) “Life of Cicero” (17) To-day & tomorrow (Hy. Forde) (18) Liberalism (L. T. Hobhouse M.A.) (19) The evolution of Industry (D. H. McGregor MA Prof Economics, Oxford) (20) History of World (H. G. Wells). There is also a list (page 42) of “Great figures in history”.

2.38 1916-1960 [Drawn up post-1960] Lists relating to the 4th Northern Division Veterans Dublin Branch, recording volunteers killed in action, I.R.A. and Cumann na mBan who died from 1916 onwards, and volunteers and civilians killed. For each individual there is a recording of address, date of death and, occasionally, place and cause of death.

Those listed are: Thomas Campbell, Patrick Creggan, John Cosgrave, Thomas Carr, William Canning, Sean Doran, Daniel Downey, Joseph Ferguson, Patrick Grant, Joseph Garvey, John Halpenny (Halpin), Cyril Heaney, William Hickey, James Johnston, Thomas Lennon, Thomas Mulholland, Bernard Morris, James Melia, Felix Mallon, Peter Murray, Thomas Murray, John Magle, Patrick McKenna, Thomas Markey, Thomas McKeown, Peter McCreesh, Francis McCoy, Peter McGennitty, John McNulty, Owen McGill, Stephen McGill, Harry McKigney, John McAlindon, John F. O’Hare, Hugh O’Hare, Sean O’Carroll, Bernard O’Hanlon, John Quigley, Patrick Quinn, Sean Quinn, Sean O’Reilly, Thomas O’Reilly, James Robinson, Peter Shields, Patrick Tierney, Patrick Tumilty, Patrick Watter, John Watter, Sean McCartney, Michael Bennett, Mary C. Barry, Edward Brennan, Joseph Brennan, Patrick Brennan, Kevin Byrne, Patrick Campbell, Patrick Culhane, Frank Conlon, Thomas Corrigan, John Courtney, Patrick Courtney, Patrick Donnelly, Edward Early, Thomas Garland, Patrick Grimes, Thomas Grimes, Nicholas Hardy, Joseph Hearty, Frank Henry, John Hodges, Tho[ma]s Art[hur] Hughes, Patrick Henry, Thomas Hearty, Patrick Kelly, Terry Cranny, Leo Cullen, Cha[rle]s. Cunningham, Dan Cunningham, Charles Cooney, Dom[i]nic Doherty, Paddy Fearon, Mick Fearon, Patrick Hughes, James Goodfellow, Frank Hanaway, Paddy Hughes, Emilie Hilton, George Kane, Bob Kelly, [?] MacGowan (Dundalk, Brigade engineer), Patrick Murray, Patrick McCarthy, Patrick McGovern, James Murphy, Gerard McCourt, Peter McFadden, Hugh Magennis, Peter Murney, Michael Plunket, Ted McEvoy, Michael McCourt, Thomas Henry, William Rice, Arthur Campbell, Hugh O’Hagan,

Stephen O’Hagan, Sean O’Rourke, Mick White, Peter O’Hare, Henry Guy, Tho[ma]s Grant, Roisin Byrne, Mary Barry, James Toal, Mary Connolly, Joseph Garvey, Bernard Gaughran, Joseph Hughes, Michael O’Kane, William Leach, Peter Macken, Margaret Moore, Patrick MacAteer and Miss [?] McAnuff.

GREEN CROSS FUND MATERIAL

2.39 Undated Suggested constitution for the Green Cross Fund.

2.40 Undated Green Cross Society appeal for funds signed by Patrick Cunningham, M.P., Strathroy, Omagh; Éamon Donnelly, “Teach Mhuire,” Courtenay Hill, Newry; Thomas McLaughlin, Senator, “Grianan,” Armagh; John Quinn, “Lisdearg,” Dublin Road, Newry; Joseph Maguire, Senator, Lake Glen, Anderstown, Belfast; Cahir Healy, M.P., Belmore Street, Enniskillen; and Hugh Corvin, Gransha Park, Glen Road, Belfast.

2.41 Apr. 1941 Green Cross Society Newry Branch, 31 Hill Street, urgent appeal for funds signed by Rev. P. F. McComiskey (Chairman), John Quinn (Vice-Chairman), Rev. E. Campbell (Treasurer), P. J. Barry (Secretary) and M. J. Keogh (Assistant Secretary).

2.42 27 Apr. 1942 Printed letter to accompany Green Cross Fund balance sheet (1940–42), signed by Aodh O’Corbhin (chairman of trustees) and Éamon Donnelly (Hon. Secretary).

2.43 6 Oct. 1942 Green Cross Fund Honorary Secretary’s Half Yearly Report, ending 31 August 1942. Signed Éamon Donnelly.

2.44 31 Aug. 1943 [Green Cross Fund] Receipts and expenditure for six months ending 31 August 1943. Receipts are broken down to show amounts received by each of the six northern counties, southern Ireland, England, Scotland, and U.S.A. Expenditure is broken down to cover each northern county, petty cash, Green Cross Week Dublin, printing, etc.

1944

2.45 29 February Cisde Na Croise Glaise (Green Cross Fund) Trustees’ Annual Report, Receipts & Payments for the year ended 29 February 1944.

NEWSPAPERS

Cuttings

3.1 1 Jan. 1881 From The Graphic, including article entitled “The Land Agitation in Ireland”.

3.2 6 Oct. 1900 “The North Westmeath election: Mr Dillon and the Bishop of Meath”, from [Irish] Daily Independent.

3.3 11 Dec. 1901 Articles entitled “The agricultural outlook: fat cattle and lean men” and “The hatred of England (letter to the Editor of Reynold’s Newspaper)”.

3.4 25 Sept. 1902 “The Land Question”, from Irish Daily Independent

3.5 8 Oct. 1902 “The condition and prospects of Ireland”, on Surgeon McArdle’s address at St Vincent’s Hospital. From Irish Daily Independent.

3.6 31 May 1906 “Death of Mr Michael Davitt”. From Belfast News [Letter].

3.7 30 Oct. 1916 Dublin Evening Mail, pages 1–2, 5–6. Articles include “Ancient Order of Hibernians: Ritual observed at Division meetings”.

3.8 [1921] “Why Gen. Collins went to London”. (Interview with De Valera about differences between Document No. 2 and the Treaty).

3.9 13 Apr. 1922 De Valera replying to Mr Griffith’s speech at Cavan.

3.10 15 Mar. 1923 “De Valera and U.S.A.: Captured letters: Question of Financial Assistance”.

3.11 17 Mar. 1925 Éamon Donnelly’s letter to the editor of the Irish Independent on the “Civil War”.

3.12 11 Jan. 1927 Departure of President Cosgrave to America. From the Independent.

3.13 27 Jan. 1928 “Eggs and Fowl: An Important British Report: Position of Free State”.

3.14 21 Dec. 1928 Articles on “Anglo-Eire Agreement: ‘Having deleterious effect on northern trade’ – New industries in South making headway” and “Relief of Catholic refugees from Central Europe”. From Morning News [Irish News].

3.15 8 June 1929 “Éamon Donnelly: The man for Sligo-Leitrim”. From Honesty

3.16 [1929?] “In the Northern capital: Politicians and the Border: The Flight of Youth: Agricultural Workers Rushing to Canada”.

3.17 13 Nov. 1932 “Irish week of contrasts: Great welcome for Prince [of Wales and] challenge to De Valera”. From The Sunday Chronicle.

3.18 [1932?] Letter of Éamon Donnelly on “Ireland’s claims against Britain”.

3.19 Undated [Post “Maps changing rapidly (since 1902)”.

20 Aug. 1932]

3.20 [25 Jan. 1933] Election results (Éamon Donnelly leads in Leix-Offaly).

3.21 7 June 1933 Cartoon entitled “Protected Persons” and an article on “Germany and the Jews”. From Irish Press

3.22 13 Aug. 1933 “‘Dev.’ on the screen”. From [Dublin?] Evening Standard.

3.23 23 June 1934 “Edenderry Gymkhana: Successful sporting event: Speech by General O’Duffy”. From Leinster Leader.

3.24 30 Nov. 1934 “F.E. [Frederick Edwin Smith, 1st Earl of Birkenhead] and Boundary Commission”. From Belfast Telegraph.

3.25 4 Dec. 1934 “If ‘F.E.’ [Frederick Edwin Smith, 1st Earl of Birkenhead] were now alive would he rejoice? Irish concession of 1925”. From Belfast Telegraph

3.26 5 Dec. 1934 “Mr. Cosgrave and the Crown: Common link of Empire”. From Evening Telegraph.

3.27 19 [?] 1934 “Progress of the Finance Bill: Irish Free State Default”. From Daily Telegraph.

3.28 12 Jan. 1935 “MPs Welcome Trade Pact: Miss M. Lloyd George and Mr J. H. Thomas Hopeful”, as a result of the recent trade agreement between Britain and the Free State. From Irish Press.

3.29 25 Feb. 1935 “Six Co. Teachers’ Protest: Inspection system sharply criticized”. From Irish Press.

3.30 7 Mar. 1935 Irish Press, pages 1–2, including photographs of “New lairage opened”.

3.31 [Mar. 1935] Photograph and caption on opening of new L.M.S. Cattle Lairage. From [Irish Weekly Independent?].

3.32 21 Oct. 1935 Irish Press, pp 5–6, including article entitled “Dublin’s Bastille – The future of Kilmainham”.

3.33 30 Nov. 1936 Irish Press, pp 7–10, including article relating to Professor George O’Brien’s views on Partition expressed in his recent publication “The Four Green Fields”.

3.34 15 Jan. 1937 Photograph of delegates at the Ulster Unionist Council Annual Meeting. From Belfast Telegraph

3.35 15 Jan. 1937 De Valera’s talks with Malcolm MacDonald concerning tariffs. From Evening Standard.

3.36 17 Jan. 1937 “Bringing back the North: Mr. Dillon on aid of Commonwealth”.

3.37 19 Jan. 1937 “Mr T. J. Campbell hits out in a vigorous reply to Lord Craigavon”. From Evening Herald.

3.38 19 Jan. 1937 Recent increase in emigration to Great Britain referred to in James Dillon’s speech as “a spellbinder of disaster”. From Irish Press.

3.39 23 Jan. 1937 Irish Press, pp 11–12, including article on the Manifesto by Irish Christian Front (I.C.F.) in relation to defeating Communism in Ireland.

3.40 27 Jan. 1937 “‘No final settlement without unity’: Vice-president on Government Objectives”.

3.41 28 Jan. 1937 G.N.R. shareholders’ protest against expenses. From Irish Press.

3.42 2 Oct. 1937 “Probing a mystery”, about Theobald Wolfe Tone – a spy and an informer? From Irish Press.

3.43 23 Feb. 1938 Anglo-Irish Talks; and the election of new senators.

3.44 26 Feb. 1938 “Partition must go”, concerning letters and telegrams pouring in on the issue from prominent Irish Americans. From Irish Press.

3.45 2 Mar. 1938 “Election Result Did Not Reflect People’s Wishes: Labour M.P. [Mr J. Beattie] Indicts Ministry On Re-assembly At Stormont: Unemployment Position”. From Irish Press.

3.46 7 Mar. 1938 “Craigavon and proportional representation”. From Irish News.

3.47 16 Apr. 1938 “Unjust interference”, concerning protests against Ulster police force activities in Nationalist districts of Belfast. From Evening Times.

3.48 23 Apr. 1938 Irish Weekly and Ulster Examiner, pp 15–16, including articles entitled “Éamon Donnelly’s views” and “Irish National Association: Éamon Donnelly Visits Clontarf House”.

3.49 18 July 1938 “Former De Valera T.D. [Éamon Donnelly], arrested in the Newry District under Exclusion Order: Previous Case Recalled”. From Belfast Telegraph.

3.50 19 July [1938] “Éamon Donnelly arrested in Newry”. From Irish Press.

3.51 20 July [1938] “Arrest of Mr. Donnelly: Protest by Six-County Nationalist M.P.s”. From Irish Press.

3.52 28 July 1938 Belfast Telegraph, pp 11–12, including article entitled “Éamon Donnelly fined £25: His address in Court”.

3.53 29 July 1938 “Man Ulster expelled [Éamon Donnelly] came back, now goes to jail: Challenges 13-year-ban”. From Daily Express.

3.54 29 July 1938 Éamon Donnelly “Sentenced To Prison for Entering Native County: Exile or Jail Ulsterman’s Choice”. From Irish Press.

3.55 29 July 1938 “This freedom”: a comment on Éamon Donnelly’s imprisonment. From Irish Independent.

3.56 29 July 1938 “Ulster-born Candidate for Eire Senate [Éamon Donnelly] Fined: Defied 13-year-old Exclusion Order: Dramatic Protest Against Government Ban. ‘No Liberty in My Native Place’”. From Irish News.

3.57 6 Aug. 1938 “Éamon Donnelly jailed for entering his native county: Defied 13-year-old Exclusion Order: Dramatic protest against six-county ban. ‘I have no liberty in my native place’ – Prison or exile his choice”. From Irish Weekly and Ulster Examiner.

3.58 24 Aug. 1938 Letter written by ‘Fear an Iarthair’ to the Editor of the Irish Independent, on ‘Seanad Election’ and mentioning Éamon Donnelly’s imprisonment.

3.59 [?] Aug. 1938 “Éamon Donnelly’s arrest: Galway Corporation protest: Letterkenny calls for release”. From Frontier Sentinel

3.60 27 Aug. 1938 “Release of Éamon Donnelly: Escorted to Home in Co. Down by Detectives”. From Frontier Sentinel.

3.61 Aug. 1938 “Got no vote, so now they know! Broken promises in the Seanad Election”.

3.62 Aug. 1938 “Éamon Donnelly: Police Warning to Leave Ignored” and “Éamon Donnelly Still in Newry”.

3.63 1 Sept. 1938 “He will fight for a principle: Éamon Donnelly’s attitude”.

3.64 2 Sept. [1938] Letter of ‘Plutarch’ to the Editor of the Derry Journal, concerning Partition.

3.65 5 Sept. 1938 “Obstacles”, about ‘Plutarch’s’ letter and Éamon Donnelly. From Derry Journal.

3.66 8 Sept. 1938 “Special Powers Act film – London Company’s cameraman in Belfast – ‘Shot’ taken of Crumlin Road Gaol Building – Visit made to Newry: Éamon Donnelly poses for picture”. From Irish News.

3.67 14 Sept. 1938 “A trip to the Border” – Scenery and landscape make their mute protest against attempts to sever this land. From Irish Press.

3.68 17 Sept. 1938 “Éamon Donnelly stays at home despite order”. From Irish Independent.

3.69 27 Sept. 1938 “Ireland and Czechoslovakia: The Contrast”. From Irish Press.

3.70 Sept. 1938 “Anti-Partition movement: Éamon Donnelly’s advice: Going back to the North” – Donnelly’s lecture on Partition in the Rotunda Winter Gardens, Dublin.

3.71 1 Oct. 1938 “Sir Basil Brooke and Partition: North-South breach: Great Loyalist Rally”. From Belfast Telegraph.

3.72 27 Oct. 1938 “M.P. [Major ‘Jack’ Hills] and Irish Unity”. From Irish Independent.

3.73 29 Nov. 1938 “Ulster’s Loyalty to United Kingdom: Community of Interest with Britain”. From Liverpool Echo.

3.74 2 Dec. 1938 “Judge [Best] on Hut Explosions: Unusual Speech to Grand Jury”. From Irish Independent.

3.75 21 Dec. 1938 “New York Irish to fight Partition: Convention of Race In America Urged”. From Irish News.

3.76 31 Dec. 1938 “Partition condemned: Dublin Society’s Border debate”. From Evening Herald.

3.77 1938 Letter of Fred MacSorley to the Editor of the Irish News, concerning “Religion of Dispensary doctors” – in Belfast district not a single Catholic appointed.

3.78 c. 1938 “Fleeing the Free State” (emigration to Great Britain) and “Church Problems”.

3.79 [1938] “Irish Unity Demand: Call to Governments of Eire and Britain”.

3.80 [1938] “Topics of the Day: The Donnelly Case”.

3.81 [1938] “Liberty in Ulster” – reproduction of a comment in the Manchester Guardian on the Éamon Donnelly case.

3.82 [1938] “Éamon Donnelly and [Roger] Casement”, relating to demand by Limerick County Council for the Government of Éire to take action in regard to citizens of Éire imprisoned in Belfast Jail.

3.83 [1938] “Jailed Ex-M.P. [Éamon Donnelly] awaits prison move”.

3.84 c. 1938 Photographs of Éamon de Valera talking to Malcolm MacDonald, Dominions Secretary, in Piccadilly Hotel, London.

3.85 [1938?] “Éamon Donnelly in Crumlin Prison Hospital”.

3.86 [1938?] “British asked to free six-county political prisoners”.

3.87 [1938?] “Exiled ex-M.P. [Éamon Donnelly]: new move”.

3.88 [1938?] “Campaign for release of Éamon Donnelly: instituted by sixco. nationalists”.

3.89 [1938?] “Donnelly imprisonment protests”.

3.90 [1938?] “Éamon Donnelly warned again – ‘Clear Out’. Order expired last night: Ex-T.D. states his attitude to authorities’ action”.

3.91 [1938?] “Strength in Anglo-Irish friendship: Dublin views of Rotary Club president, [Sir Thomas Robinson]”.

3.92 [c.1938] “Irish ‘Mutt and Jeff’” – Sean T. O’Kelly and his chief Éamon de Valera.

3.93 6 Jan. 1939 “Irish suspended priest [Fr. Michael O’Flanagan] supports [religious freedom in] Barcelona”. From Catholic Herald.

3.94 13 Jan. 1939 “Fr. O’Flanagan says he is no longer suspended – but his bishop knows better”. From Catholic Herald.

3.95 30 Jan. 1939 Protest by the Council of Irish Societies, Glasgow, against Partition. From Evening Times Glasgow.

3.96 30 Jan. 1939 “U.S. and French leader to get protest in Partition” –Demands for the repeal of the Government of Ireland Act made at meeting in Glasgow (Council of Irish Societies). (Mentions speech by Éamon Donnelly). From Independent

3.97 30 Jan. 1939 “A united Ireland: Demand at Glasgow meeting: Effort to make it an issue at general election”. From Glasgow Herald.

3.98 30 Jan. 1939 “Irish bring fight to Scotland: Bid to gain votes against Partition”. From Glasgow News Bulletin.

3.99 9 Feb. 1939 Kilkenny Journal, pp 5–6, including article entitled “Fianna Fail meeting at Abbeyleix: Address by Éamon Donnelly, T.D.”

3.100 9 Feb. 1939 Northern Whig, pp 5–8. Articles include: “Resignation of Ulster Butter and Cream Board”; “Britain will not permit coercion of Ulster: Sir Samuel Hoare on futility of Republican bombings”; “Lord Londonderry on futility of Unity campaign: Declares people of North and South having nothing in common”.

3.101 18 Apr. 1939 “On Constitutions: Modern constitutions since 1737” and “Mistakes in Irish section”. From Irish Independent.

3.102 6 Jan. 1940 Photographs of the Londonderrys engaged in amateur theatricals at Mount Stewart, with additional notes written in pencil relating to Lord Londonderry’s illegitimate grandsons, Patrick, Lord Plunket, and the Hon. Robin Plunket. From Northern Whig

3.103 6 Jan. 1940 “Unhappy neutrals”. From Northern Whig

3.104 11 Aug. 1940 Map showing Battle of Britain bombings (June 18–July 21). From Sunday Express.

3.105 14 Aug. 1940 “Taoiseach re-affirms Ireland’s neutrality”. From Irish Press.

3.106 20 Aug. 1940 Map of Sudan, Abyssinia and Arabia and surrounding territories. From Irish Independent.

3.107 4 Sept. 1940 “A Word is added to the Language” – Article on James Boycott. From Irish Independent.

3.108 9 Oct. 1940 “The greatest crusade” – The War and the British Commonwealth. From Belfast Telegraph.

3.109 12 Oct. 1940 “Customs seize trippers’ sugar” on the Monaghan side of the Éireann-Ulster border. From Daily Express.

3.110 16 Oct. 1940 Éamon Donnelly’s letter to the Editor of the Irish Press on Mr. Andrews’ speech. From Daily Express

3.111 30 Nov. 1940 “Mr De Valera re-states ports position”. From Irish Weekly.

3.112 [1941] “Senator says: Pray to End Blaze of Ruin” – Lecture by Prof. M. Tierney.

3.113 [1942] “Ex-T.D. [Éamon Donnelly] to stand for Northern Commons”.

3.114 9 Nov. 1942 “Éamon Donnelly gets big majority: result of Belfast byelection”. From Derry Journal.

3.115 18 March1944 Frontier Sentinel, pp 3–4, including obituary of the “Late Mrs. M. Donnelly, Newry”.

3.116 30 Dec. 1944 Obituary of Éamon Donnelly. From Irish Press.

3.117 [Dec. 1944] Éamon Donnelly death notice.

3.118 2 Jan. 1945 “Funeral of Éamon Donnelly, M.P”. From Newry Telegraph.

3.119 [Dec. 1944/ Obituary of Éamon Donnelly.

Jan. 1945] Jan. 1945]

3.120 [Dec. 1944/ Obituary of Éamon Donnelly.

3.121 [Jan. 1945?] Resolution passed by Green Cross Fund following death of Éamon Donnelly.

3.122 14 July 1945 Poem by Desmond Crean entitled “Éamon Donnelly”. From the Ulster Herald.

3.123 18 Oct. 1954 Éamon Donnelly suggested as the most famous man of the county. From Evening Press.

3.124 27 May 1956 “Mid-Ulster”, in which Éamon Donnelly is mentioned. From Evening Press.

3.125 18 May 1958 Letter of John Kiernan, entitled “A damn good bargain?”, on the Irish Party, Partition and the Boundary Agreement. From [Sunday Press?].

3.126 [May 1958] “Irish Party and Partition”, letter of Nellie Donnelly-Wood. From [Sunday Press?].

3.127 9 Nov. 1970 “Orangeism in the 19th century: Decline and revival”. From Irish Times.

3.128 22 Aug. 1972 Irish Press, pp 3–4, 12–14, including photograph from September 1921 of Michael Collins with a reception committee outside Armagh City Hall.

3.129 2 Jan. 1935 “Republican Aims” – Letter of Éamon Donnelly to the Editor of the Irish Press

3.130 c. 1936-40? Photograph of King George VI riding in his grandfather, Edward VII’s, car during his tour of the five “shadow” factories in [Birming]ham and Coventry that were doing R.A.F. work. From Daily Express.

3.131

c. 1939-41 “Wild scenes in City Hall”, Manchester, where meeting was addressed by Sir Basil Brooke, Ulster Minister of Agriculture.

3.132 Undated “Requirements of British market: Eggs and poultry from Free State”.

3.133

Undated “Irish Unity Campaign: Northern Council Programme”.

3.134 Undated “History of the crisis 1918–1938”, events arising from Czech problem.

3.135 [c.Aug. 1963?] “Pope John hoped to live to 100, diary reveals”.

3.136

Undated Pictures of United Irishmen, Henry Joy McCracken, Jimmy Hope, William Orr and Samuel Neilson.

3.137 Undated “Why is the ‘Whig ‘disappointed’ with Mr. Sean Lemass?”: Lemass’s refusal to recognize Northern Ireland.

3.138 Undated James F. Donnelly, Kilkeel on “Partition”.

3.139 Undated “New Line of Cleavage”: Éamon Donnelly’s speech in Dromore, Co. Tyrone.

3.140

3.141

Undated Resolution passed by conference of Anti-Partitionists.

Undated Convention of South Armagh, South Down and Mourne Nationalists’ confidence in leadership of Éamon de Valera.

3.142 Undated Letter of ‘Evicted Tenant’, entitled “All a dream?”, on the Treaty.

3.143 Undated Incomplete article mentioning Lord Clonbrock, Sir Horace Plunket and the Earl of Dunraven.

3.144 Undated Incomplete article mentioning Sir Dawson Bates and the Special Powers Act. From Derry Journal.

FULL NEWSPAPERS

3.145 25 Mar. 1916 Nationality.

3.146 29 June 1918 Nationality.

3.147 7 Dec. 1918 Nationality.

3.148 Dec. 1938 Fianna Fáil Bulletin.

3.149 Mar.–Apr. 1939 Fianna Fáil Bulletin (with supplement).

3.150 15 Oct. 1941 Bulletin of C.I.V.I.C. [Council for Investigation of Vatican Influence and Censorship].

3.151 18 Mar. 1944 Frontier Sentinel, including obituary of Mrs. Marianne Donnelly, Newry.

3.152 30 Dec. 1944 Irish Press, including obituary of Éamon Donnelly.

3.153 6 Jan. 1945 Frontier Sentinel, including obituary of Éamon Donnelly.

3.154 17 May 1945 Irish News.

3.155 18 Mar. 1946 Irish Press.

3.156 11 Jan. 1947 Frontier Sentinel, including article on the “Memorial erected at Newry in memory of Éamon Donnelly”.

3.157 27 Oct. 1947 Irish Press. Leading article on Éamon de Valera’s review of 30 years of endeavour.

BOOKLETS

4.1 1948 Rev. Edward Campbell, Cathedral of SS. Patrick and Colman Newry (Publisher: P. Bennett, Newry).

4.2 1920 [Dáil Éireann], Judiciary: Rules and Forms, Parish and District Courts.

4.3 1921 Dáil Éireann, Official Correspondence relating to the Peace Negotiations June-September, 1921. Part I. Preliminary Correspondence, June 24th to July 9th, 1921. Part II. Correspondence arising from the Conversations at London, between President de Valera and the British Prime Minister July 20th to September 30th.

4.4 1936 Dáil Éireann, Díospóireachtaí Páirliminte Parliamentary Debates 18th and 19th November, 1936.

4.5 [1920] [Éamon de Valera], Ireland’s Claim for Recognition as a Sovereign Independent State presented officially to the United States by Eamon De Valera president of the Irish Republic Presentation copy from Éamon de Valera, inscribed: ‘To Éamon Donnelly as a surety that the OHiggins “Treason Act” will apply to him. 12–2–25.’

4.6 1927 Fianna Fáil Clár An dara Árd fheis a tionólfar ’sa Rotunda, I mBaile áta cliath [...] [Programme of the 2nd Fianna Fáil Árd-Fheis]

4.7 1936 Fianna Fáil An 11adh Árd-Fheis a tionólfar I dTigh an árdmhaoir I mBaile átha cliath Clár Dia máirt agus dia céadaoin 3adh lá agus 4adh lá de mhí na samhna [Programme of the 11th Fianna Fáil Ard Fheis]

4.8 n.d. Fianna Fáil, Who caused the Civil War? Extracts from some Speeches, Documents and Records, which Free State Ministers forget.

4.9 [1918] Thomas Johnson (comp.), A Handbook for Rebels: A Guide to Successful Defiance of the British Government: Being extracts from the Speeches of Sir E. Carson, … Sir J. H. Campbell, … Mr A. Bonar Law, … Sir F. E. Smith … (now Lord Birkenhead, Lord Chancellor of England); and other Organisers of Rebellion in Ulster, who with complete success, by a display of Armed Force Challenged the Might of Empire, and were afterwards honoured and rewarded by the Government they defied [Incomplete]

4.10 [1946?] P[adraic?] Keenan, Old Newry: Some Historical Notes: With Biographical Sketches of Noted Newryers of the Past. Includes material on John Mitchel, Nicholas Grant, the Corrys, the Campbells, the O’Hanlons, the Dromgooles, William H. Maxwell, the Russell family, John O’Hagan, the Hughes family, John F. Small, Henry Quinn and Rev. Henry Fegan.

4.11 1950 Padraic Keenan, Saval in Ancient and Modern Times: Some Historical Notes, inscribed “To my friend, Mrs. DonnellyWood. With Very Best Regards, P Keenan 10/6/50”. Reprinted from the Frontier Sentinel newspaper.

4.12 1954 The Parish of Seagoe. Part I – The Place-names Explained (By Rev. Bernard J. Mooney). Part II – Some Historical Notes (By Padraic Keenan) (Publisher: P. Bennett, Newry). Inscribed: “To Mrs N. Donnelly-Wood with my very best regards. Because this book deals with the history of part of your native county, and has been partly written by someone from dear old Newry, I know you will be glad to have it. Pat. Keenan 9–IV–1954”.

4.13 1921 S. O’Ceileachair, The Labour Problems.

4.14 1949 Pádráic Ó Cianáin (ed.), Souvenir of Seventy-fifth anniversary celebration Newry Holy Family Confraternity (Publisher: P. Bennett, Newry), with related letter to Nellie [Donnelly Wood], 24 November 1949.

4.15 [1922?] Kevin O’Higgins, T.D., Civil War and the Events which led to it (Publisher: Talbot Press, Newry).

4.16 [1916] P. H. Pearse, Ghosts.

4.17 1916 P. H. Pearse, The Murder Machine (Publisher: Whelan & Son, Dublin). Cover marked “ED”.

4.18 Undated Incomplete booklet on Parnell, “The Party” and Home Rule, etc.

4.19 Undated Incomplete booklet on Parnell, Redmond, etc.

4.20 [1919] Incomplete booklet, England’s Fair Words and Ireland (Published: Dublin), pages 3–8 only.

4.21 Undated Loose page from booklet, with section on “Ireland’s priests”.

MISCELLANEOUS (INCLUDING FINANCIAL MATERIAL)

5.1 4 Oct. 1919 Receipt no. 287 issued to Eamonn O Donnaghaille [Éamon Donnelly] of Tullyard House, Armagh, for £2 10s 0d towards the purchase a £5 certificate for the National Loan. Signed on behalf of Mícheál Ó Coileáin [Michael Collins], Minister of Finance.

5.2 June – Aug. Cash receipt book belonging to Éamon Donnelly, referring to payments of salaries, hire of bicycles, motor hire, and a railway fare. 1924

5.3 2 Mar. 1937 Confirmation from the Application Book of the Circuit Court Office that a decree has been lodged in that Office for immediate execution against Thomas Cavanagh (Defendant) at the suit of the Irish Land Commission (Plaintiff), for debts, costs and poundage amounting to £10:4:4.

5.4 8 Nov. 1937 Receipt for 8 guineas for professional services received by Master Aidan O’Kelly in Hardwicke and Whiteworth Hospitals (with Dr Alan Thompson’s compliments). Addressed to Mrs O’Kelly, 2 Skreen Road, Cabra.

5.5 4 May 1938– Two letters and a form relating to Éamon Donnelly’s claim for exemption from Éire Income Tax on his pension.

24 Oct. 1939

5.6 Undated Details of lodgement amounting to £23.17.0.

5.7 1914–1933 Autograph book belonging to Éamon Donnelly. Signatories include: Eibhlín Ní Dhonghaile, Teach an Tullac Árd [Tullyard House], Árd Macha [Armagh]; Éamon O Donnghaille, Árd Macha [Armagh], 23/6/21; Éamonn Uá Corbaí, Creach Mhaorl [Craughwell], Co na Gaillimhe [Co. Galway], 22 Jul 22; Seúmas Robinson [Séamus Robinson]; [?] O’ Shanahan, 2nd Bat IRA; Conchubhar Ó Coileáin [Cornelius “Con” Collins]; A. Savage [Archibald Savage?]; Riobaird Bartuin [Robert Barton]; Máiréad Oates; Pádraic Ó Máille, Conemara [Connemara], 22.7.1921; “Dan”; Liam de Róiste; Peadar O h Aodh; “Mutt” 23/6 21; Micheál Ó Coileáin [Michael Collins] 22.7.1921; Thomas O’Donnell South Sligo; A. McDonnell [Andy McDonnell] o/c VI Batt I.R.A, 22–7–21; Domnall O Corcoran, Magh Chromdha [Macroom, Co. Cork]; Aindriú S. Ó Láimhin T.D. [Andrew Lavin, T.D. for the Leitrim–Roscommon North constituency, 1921-27], Beal Átha Fearnaín [Ballyfarnan] Co. Ros Comáin [Co. Roscommon]; Harry Boland, Armagh, 4-9-21; Ristéard Cóipland, Árd Macha [Armagh], 22 Deireadh Foghmhair [September] 1922; Seán Kerr; “Jim”, 13.4.22; “Daniel”; Caoimhín de Barra [Kevin Barry]; Sean O Murchadha, Asst Q.M. [Quarter Master]; Dómhnall Ó Cealacáin, Árd mheara

Chorcaighe [Lord Mayor of Cork], 23.7.21, Le gach deaghghuidhe [With every best wish]; Seorais Ó Conghaile [Joseph Connolly], 17.6.33; M.M. Dubhgaill; “Alec”; and “Tom”. Also mentions various prisons: “Arbour Hill, Lincoln, Mountjoy, P.S. Maryboro [Maryborough = Portlaoise Prison]”.

5.8 1940 Newry Public Library Reader’s Ticket belonging to Éamon Donnelly, issued until 31 December 1940.

5.9 Undated Information card from Central Hotel Glasgow.

5.10 Undated Map of Great Northern Railway lines relating to Ireland north of Dublin.

PHOTOGRAPHS

6.1

5 May 1934 Éamon Donnelly in his political prime.

6.2 Undated Members of the Donnelly family. Clockwise from top left: Catherine Mary (Kathleen/Kay) Donnelly, Francis John (Frank) Donnelly, Marianne Donnelly (wife of Éamon Donnelly), Mary Josephine (Maureen) Donnelly, Norah Mary (Nora) Donnelly, John Edward (Sean) Donnelly, and Eleanor Marie (Nellie/Nell) Donnelly.

6.3

6.4

6.5

c. 1923 Éamon Donnelly and his eldest child, Eleanor (Nellie).

Undated Éamon Donnelly’s son, Sean Donnelly, and another man.

30 Dec. 1944 Éamon Donnelly’s funeral, Dublin. His remains were taken from St Jarlath’s Nursing Home, Dublin, where he died, to St. Andrew’s Church, Westland Row, Dublin for Requiem Mass before being taken by train to Newry. Immediately behind hearse: Left-Right – Sean Donnelly (son), Aidan O’Kelly (grandson), Paddy O’Kelly (son-in-law) (Aidan’s father).

6.6 30 Dec. 1944 Éamon Donnelly’s funeral, Dublin, passing Liberty Hall. His son, Sean Donnelly, is immediately behind the hearse.

6.7 30 Dec. 1944 Sean Lemass and Éamon de Valera arriving for Requiem Mass for Éamon Donnelly at St. Andrew’s Church, Westland Row, Dublin.

6.8 31 Dec. 1944 Éamon Donnelly’s funeral, Newry. The two boys in front are: left, Michael Donnelly-Wood (Grandson); right, Aidan O’Kelly (Grandson).

6.9 31 Dec. 1944 A general view of the crowd following the cortege at Éamon Donnelly’s funeral, Hill Street, Newry.

6.10 31 Dec. 1944 General view of the front of the cortege at Éamon Donnelly’s funeral, Hill Street, Newry.

6.11 31 Dec. 1944 Éamon Donnelly’s funeral, Hill Street, Newry. Immediately behind hearse: Left – Paddy O’Kelly (son-in-law); right –Sean Donnelly (son).

6.12 31 Dec. 1944 Duplicate of NMM:2011.29.6.11.

6.13 31 Dec. 1944 Éamon Donnelly’s funeral, Newry.

6.14 31 Dec. 1944 Éamon Donnelly’s funeral, Chapel Street, Newry. Includes: Front – Paddy O’Kelly (son-in-law); second row (left to right): Frank Aiken (with moustache), Charles McGleenan, [?], Major Vivion de Valera (son of Éamon de Valera).

6.15 31 Dec. 1944 Clergy leading the cortege at Éamon Donnelly’s funeral, Chapel Street.

6.16 31 Dec. 1944 Éamon Donnelly’s funeral, Newry. Includes, as front pallbearer, Gerald Boland.

6.17 5 Jan. 1947 Front of the Éamon Donnelly Memorial in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Newry. The monument was designed by Mr. D. McCullough, Junior, 12 Oakley Road, Ranelagh, Dublin, and the sculptural work was carried out by Sean Peyton.

6.18 5 Jan. 1947 Photograph of the front of the Éamon Donnelly Memorial, St. Mary’s Cemetery, Newry.

6.19 5 Jan. 1947 Front of the Éamon Donnelly Memorial, St. Mary’s Cemetery, Newry.

6.20 5 Jan. 1947 Unveiling and blessing of the Éamon Donnelly Memorial, by Very Rev. P. F. McComiskey, in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Newry. Includes top of head and eyes of Michael Donnelly-Wood (grandson) peering over the right side of the memorial; to his right: Frances O’Kelly (granddaughter); to her right, Maureen O’Kelly (daughter); to her right, Eleanor (Nellie) Donnelly-Wood (daughter); to her right, Paddy O’Kelly (sonin-law).

6.21 5 Jan. 1947 Blessing of the Éamon Donnelly Memorial, by Very Rev. P. F. McComiskey, in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Newry. The boy holding the holy water is Michael Donnelly-Wood (a grandson).

6.22 5 Jan. 1947 Blessing of the Éamon Donnelly Memorial, by Very Rev. P. F. McComiskey, in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Newry. Immediately behind the priest’s head is Mrs Nora Magee (Daughter of Éamon Donnelly).

6.23 Sept. 1921 Platform party at rally in Armagh, consisting of Éamon Donnelly, Eoin O’Duffy and Michael Collins.

6.24

Undated A political group, including Sean T. O’Kelly (front seated), Éamon de Valera (back centre) and, possibly, Éamon Donnelly (second from the left in the back row).

6.25

Undated Éamon Donnelly, Sean T. O’Kelly, Frank Aiken and Sean McEntee together at a funeral in Newry. The man in the bowler hat, beyond Frank Aiken, is Newry Draper, Billy O’Hare.

6.26 c. 1944 Five men at a meeting. Éamon Donnelly is the one on the left.

6.27 Undated A lady at a desk (Possibly Éamon Donnelly’s secretary in Dublin).

6.28 Sept. 1921 Michael Collins speaking. The lady with the decorated hat (framed by the left poles of the podium) is Marianne Donnelly (wife of Éamon Donnelly).

6.29 Sept. 1921 Michael Collins, with a reception committee outside City Hall, Armagh. Front row from left to right: Michael Garvey, Seán Ó Muirthile (Sean Hurley), Éamon Donnelly, Michael Collins, Harry Boland, Tom Cullen (Collins’s bodyguard), Joseph Dolan. Second row: Tim McCormack, Michael Short, Charles Rooney, Cornelius McElroy, Patrick Fegan, Eoin O’Duffy, Seamus O’Reilly (the Sinn Fein chairman of Armagh Urban Council), Tom Duggan [Dougan], Seamus/ Sam Johnston, Peter Hughes, Malachy Kearney, Patrick Teague [Teigue], Dr Walter McKee, Seamus McGuill, John Garvey and Mrs. S. McGuill. Back Row: James Mallon, Frank McKee, Edward Fitzpatrick, Charles Garland, George Murnaghan, Liam Healy, John Lenagh, James Trodden, Joe McKelvey, Harry Collins.

6.30 Sept. 1921 Duplicate of NMM:2011.29.6.29.

6.31 17 July 1921 A lady, clergyman, and three other men, taken in O’Connell Street, Dublin. The third from the right is Éamon Donnelly.

6.32

6.33

6.34

Undated Signed photograph of Éamon de Valera, in possession of Éamon Donnelly.

Undated Signed photograph of Éamon de Valera, in possession of Éamon Donnelly.

Undated Reception at the Irish Embassy, London, for visit of Éamon de Valera. Front: Left to right – [?], Mrs Nora Magee (Daughter of Éamon Donnelly), Éamon de Valera, Mrs Eleanor (Nellie) Donnelly-Wood (Daughter of Éamon Donnelly), Mr Ciaran Magee (Éamon Donnelly’s son-inlaw), and [?].

6.35 8 Dec. 1922 Copy of a note from Liam O Maoilíosa [Liam Mellows] to his “dear comrades in Mountjoy”. Written by Mellows before his execution, the letter was delivered to Éamon Martin, “C” Wing, by a prison officer. “God bless you boys and may He give you fortitude, courage and wisdom to suffer and endure all for Ireland’s sake. An poblacht abú! [The Republic forever!].”

6.36 1955 Black and white photographic negative of Mary Donnelly and her son, Sean Donnelly (daughter-in-law and grandson of Éamon Donnelly). Taken in Crofton Road, Dun Laoghaire, at Sean’s first communion.

AUDIO MATERIAL

6.37 2 Apr. 1967 Margaret [Margaretta] D’Arcy Appeal magnetic tape reel. Broadcast N.I. Home Service.

Acknowledgements

This catalogue was produced by Dr. Robert Whan during a bursary traineeship which was part of the 2012/13 Collections Skills Initiative programme. The Collections Skills Initiative NI was a partnership between the Northern Ireland Museums Council and National Museums Northern Ireland, funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund.

The donation of the Éamon Donnelly Collection to Newry and Mourne Museum marks a significant milestone in the development of the Museum’s collection of local twentieth-century political material. The cataloguing of the Collection was vital to making these important papers accessible for research purposes and for use in the Museum’s exhibitions.

Newry and Mourne Museum would like to sincerely thank Donal DonnellyWood for the donation of Éamon Donnelly’s papers and Sean Donnelly for donating additional documents. We would also like to thank the wider Donnelly family circle for their support and encouragement.

Sincere thanks to Donal DonnellyWood and the Irish Press for permission to reproduce the photographs in the catalogue. Noreen Cunningham, Curator Dr. Ken Abraham, Assistant Curator

The Donnelly family

Éamon married Marianne (Mary Anne) O’Hagan, the daughter of a farmer, on 14 January 1903 in St. Malachy’s Roman Catholic Chapel, Armagh, and they had six children. The photograph shows, clockwise from top left: Catherine Mary (Kathleen/Kay) Donnelly (b. 15 Aug. 1905; d. 27 May 1941), Francis John (Frank) Donnelly (b. 30 July 1908; d. 24 July 1932), Marianne Donnelly (wife of Éamon Donnelly; d. 6 March 1944), Mary Josephine (Maureen) Donnelly (b. 7 May 1907), Norah Mary (Nora) Donnelly (b. 7 August 1911), John Edward (Sean) Donnelly (b. 27 April 1913), and Eleanor Marie (Nellie/Nell) Donnelly (b. 7 Dec. 1903; d. 9 Dec. 1975).

NMM:2011.29.6.2

NMM:2011.29.6.1

NMM:2011.29.6.3

Front cover

Photograph of Éamon Donnelly in his political prime, 1934.

Éamon Donnelly and his eldest child, Eleanor (Nellie), c.1923

Éamon Donnelly’s funeral, Hill Street, Newry, 31 December 1944.

NMM:2011.29.6.11

Mourners at Éamon Donnelly’s funeral, Newry, 31 December 1944, including Frank Aiken, Charles McGleenan and Major Vivion de Valera.

NMM:2011.29.6.14

Front of the Éamon Donnelly Memorial, St. Mary’s Cemetery, Newry, unveiled 5 January 1947.

NMM:2011.29.6.18

Design: G. Watters