Skip Navigation
Falvey Library
Advanced
You are exploring: Home > Blogs

Green Voices of the Past: The German and Irish Connection during World War I

Posted for: Emily Poteat.

The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand on June 28, 1914 ignited international political tensions, and catapulted the world into World War I a month later. World War I was fraught with multiple layers of political significance for countries and individuals across the world. For the Irish American Club, who called themselves the Clan-na-Gael, the Great War presented a way for Irish Americans to directly work against the interests of the British, and towards forming political ties to support the cause of Irish Independence. In the Minute Book of the Board of Officers for the Irish American Club, the way in which Irish Americans, in the Irish American Club, actively engaged in support of the German war effort comes to light, and offers new insight into ways Irish Americans engaged in Irish republicanism during the early twentieth century.

Seemingly the disdain and urgency to work against British interests in World War I emerged soon after the onset of the conflict. Just short of two months after the beginning of World War I, on September 20, 1914, the Irish American Club in their meeting minutes for that day’s meeting discuss ways to work against Irish people fighting for the English in the war. This is clear with the statement “A motion was passed that a re-union [sic] be called for next Sunday night to pass resolutions condemning the action of Redmond and those so called Irish leaders in urging the Irish people to join the English army to fight against Germany” (p. 308). With this strong assertion against Irishmen fighting for the English in World War I, it is clear that the Irish Americans were conflating support of the English with anti-republicanism, as this war was viewed by the Irish American Club as serving the interests of the British. Because of this understanding of the First World War, the Irish American Club worked earnestly to support the opposing side of the war, the Germans.

The Irish American Club’s support of the German war effort emerges from the pages of the Minute Book of the Board of Officers for the club, in the form of both advocacy work and monetary support. For, on page 392 of the minute book, in an entry of meeting minutes from March 21, 1915, the club donated seven hundred dollars to the German and Austrian Red Cross. This is evident with the statement “Bro McGarrity produced a receipt from the German + Austrian Consuls for $70000…for the German + Austrian Red Cross” (p.392). Clearly with a monetary contribution of that value, the Irish American Club were staking their claim and attempting to make ties with the Germans in working against the British war effort. Further denoting this tie between the Irish Americans and the German war effort, “a letter of thanks from the German Ambassador at Washington thanking Clan Na Gael for” the donation of money to the German and Austrian Red Cross was delivered to the Irish American Club (p. 392). In addition to their monetary support, the Irish American Club also held demonstrations in connection with German-American societies in support of American neutrality in the war.

The Gaelic American v. 12, Philadelphia, May 15, 1915

This tie between Germany and the Clan-na-Gael, under the name of the Irish American Club, is interesting to note, as it connects to other attempts to forge alliances between the Irish and the Germans. Prior to the Easter Rising, Clan-na-Gael representatives requested support from the German ambassador in the United States as early as 1914. With this information in mind, the actions of the Irish American Club in supporting the German war effort could have been in the hopes of gaining more definite support for their own revolution against England. As a whole, the actions of the Irish American Club in their support for Germany in World War I give further insight into the activities twentieth century Irish American organizations took in working towards their goal of Irish independence.

Advertisement, “Grosse Massen-Demonstration unter den Asupicien des Irish-American Club,” 1916.

——————–
Emily Poteat is a graduate assistant in Irish Studies and Falvey Memorial Library’s Distinctive Collections and Digital Engagement Department, and a graduate student in the History Department.


Like
1 People Like This Post

Content Roundup – Last Week – October 2021

The Suburban (Wayne Times Edition), v. 26, no. 24, September 16, 1910

Newly scanned and available this week: new Dime Novels and story- and newspaper issues – including issues of the The Suburban (Wayne Times Edition) from the Radnor Historical Society, several books and pamphlets, and a statistical history of Villanova football.

Dime Novel and Popular Literature

Fiction

La Tosca : founded on the famous play of the same name / by Victorien Sardou
[https://digital.library.villanova.edu/Item/vudl:666872]

Non-Fiction

Front cover, Our Nation At War, v. 5, no. 3, July 19, 1898

Our nation in war (3 parts added)
[https://digital.library.villanova.edu/Item/vudl:667463]

Everybody’s law book / by John L. Shirley
[https://digital.library.villanova.edu/Item/vudl:653513]

Periodicals

p. [153], Frank Leslie’s Chimney Corner, v. X, no. 244, January 29, 1870

Frank Leslie’s Chimney Corner (1 issue added)
[https://digital.library.villanova.edu/Item/vudl:653954]

New York Family Story Paper (1 issue added)
[https://digital.library.villanova.edu/Item/vudl:661326]

New York Fireside Companion (2 issues added)
[https://digital.library.villanova.edu/Item/vudl:665483?lookfor=title%3Amarch]

New York Ledger (5 issues added)
[https://digital.library.villanova.edu/Item/vudl:649658?lookfor=title%3Aaugust]

p. [97], Street & Smith’s Literary Album, v. I, no. 7, February 3, 1866

Street & Smith’s Literary Album (4 issues added)
[https://digital.library.villanova.edu/Item/vudl:629804?lookfor=title%3Afebruary]

Joseph McGarrity Collection

Books

Front cover, The Ardagh chalice

The Ardagh chalice; a description of the ministral chalice found at Ardagh in county Limerick in the year 1868; with a note on its traditional conformity to the Holy Grail of legend and story / by L.S. Góga
[https://digital.library.villanova.edu/Item/vudl:666671]

Newspaper

Irish freedom, no. 16, February 1912

Irish Freedom (14 issues and 1 subscription card added)
[https://digital.library.villanova.edu/Item/vudl:667462]

Newspapers

Detail, [1] p., Saturday Globe, v. 20, no. 8, Saturday, July 7, 1900

Saturday Globe (21 issues added)
[https://digital.library.villanova.edu/Collection/vudl:646198]

Pennsylvaniana

Description of Pompeian ruins, restorations and scenes exhibited at the Pompeian Museum, Fairmount Park / published by authority of the Park Commission
[https://digital.library.villanova.edu/Item/vudl:661630]

Fall classic Altoona Speedway : national 250-mile championship. Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 1st, 1924
[https://digital.library.villanova.edu/Item/vudl:661650]

Radnor Historical Society

The Suburban (Wayne Times Edition), (8 issues added July-September 1910)
[https://digital.library.villanova.edu/Item/vudl:620529]

Villanova Digital Collection

Athletics

Title page, Villanova University football; a statistical history

Villanova University Football; a statistical history / Compiled by: Rev. Michael J. O’Donnell, O.S.A.
[https://digital.library.villanova.edu/Item/vudl:660449]

Photographs and Illustrations

Photograph, Special Olympics, 1992

Student Life (2 Special Olympics photographs added)
[https://digital.library.villanova.edu/Item/vudl:662591]
[https://digital.library.villanova.edu/Item/vudl:662597]


Like
1 People Like This Post

Green Voices of the Past: Linking the Irish American Club to the Clan-na-Gael

Posted for: Emily Poteat.

The Irish American Club was an organization dedicated to organizing and advocating for issues pertinent to the Irish republican cause. Throughout the Minute Book of the Board of Officers for the Irish American Club, one can see the devotion to the Irish republicanism and Irish independence laden throughout its pages. However, also newly emerging from the Irish American Club’s minute book is new evidence that there were deep links between the Irish American Club and the Clan-na-Gael.

The Clan-na-Gael Journal, v. 33, Philadelphia, February 8, 1908

The Clan-na-Gael formed in 1867 in New York as the successor of the Fenian Brotherhood, and was a secret Irish Republican society. As the American sister organization to the Irish Republican Brotherhood, the Clan-na-Gael was dedicated to supporting the formation of an independent and democratic republic in Ireland through the use of force. With Irish republican beliefs deeply embedded into the organization, the Clan-na-Gael was active in assisting the Irish Republican Brotherhood in achieving an independent Ireland. Because of this deep support of Irish independence, the Clan-na-Gael was the single largest financial support of the Easter rising, as well as the Irish War of Independence.

With similar ideological frameworks comprising their organizations, one would guess that the Irish American Club and the Clan-na-Gael engaged with one another to work towards Irish independence; however, the deep ties between the two organizations have been illuminated throughout the text of the Minute Book of the Board of Officers for the Irish American Club. First, early on in the minute book the link between the two organizations is vague, with the recording secretary mentioning that the Irish American Club would hold excursions or entertainments “under the auspices of the Clan-na-Gael.” However, with reading deeper into the minute book a deeper links between the two organizations emerges. First, the Irish American Club directly paid some bills for the Clan-na-Gael. For instance, on page 109 of the minute book it is stated “bill for $3.75 for printing Clan-na-Gael ball account ordered paid.” This is interesting because this marks a direct financial line between both organizations. Further, deepening the tie between the two organizations was a communication received by the Irish American Club in the meeting held on November 20, 1898, located on page 129 in the minute book. In this communication, it is recorded by the recording secretary of the Irish American Club that the organization received a communication “from the Academy of Music inquiring if the Clan-na-Gael would want that hall for the 3d of March 1899.” By sending a letter to the Irish American Club, seeking their authority in making arrangements for the Clan-na-Gael, for an event the question of how interconnected the two organizations were becomes apparent. It would seem at the very least, the Irish American Club, like the Friends of Irish Freedom were affiliates of the Clan-na-Gael.

p. 73, Minute Book of the Board of Officers for the Irish American Club

However, with the direct reference to the Irish American Club as the Clan-na-Gael it is worth considering if the tie was deeper than an affiliation. In the meeting of the Irish American Club on page 129, the Irish American Club also received another communication, and this communication once again directly equated the Irish American Club to the Clan-na-Gael. For, the recording secretary in the minute book wrote, “the second communication was a letter from Mr. M. P. Moroney asking for the appointment of a new committee from the Clan-na-Gael to meet a committee from the Nationalists to consider the question of a joint celebration of Emmets [sic] birth.” Here, the Irish American Club is directly referred to as the Clan-na-Gael, and an individual is seeking the Irish American Club, under the name of the Clan-na-Gael to meet to arrange a celebration for the Irish republican martyr Robert Emmet. This is not the only reference of the Irish American Club as the Clan-na-Gael in the minute book. On page 138, Brother Dillon, a member of the Irish American Club sought the authority of the Irish American Club’s District Officer to form a company of the Clan-na-Gael Guards. With this statement the militant nature of the movement is evident, but also the link deepened, as a senior member of the Irish American Club was consulted in forming a branch of the Clan-na-Gael’s military operations. Moreover, deeper links between the two organizations are present on page 319 of the manuscript with the Irish American Club recording themselves as the Clan-na-Gael in their minute book in discussion of a lawsuit they were involved in. It is written on page 319, “regularily [sic] moved + sec the Clan na Gael Organization appeal the case of Sherin to the higher courts and fight the case to a finish in the highest courts.”

From the evidence in the Minute Book of the Board of Officers for the Irish American Club, compelling evidence is emerging for looking at the Irish American Club as directly tied to the Clan-na-Gael. While further research is warranted for determining if the Irish American Club was actually a part of the Clan-na-Gael, the minute book of the Irish American Club’s Board of Directors offers insight into the ties between Irish-American organizations seeking to work towards Irish independence in the early twentieth century.

——————–
Emily Poteat is a graduate assistant in Irish Studies and Falvey Memorial Library’s Distinctive Collections and Digital Engagement Department, and a graduate student in the History Department.


Like
1 People Like This Post

Content Roundup – Mid-October – 2021

This week we offer a significant amount of freshly digitized material from Distinctive Collections for your research consideration. Especially noteworthy are a number of pamphlets and materials from the Joseph McGarrity Collection, more the early newspaper and story paper issues, and this year’s program for the annual banquet of the Friendly Sons and Daughters of St. Patrick.

Dime Novel and Popular Literature

Fiction

The Green Mountain Boys; or, Ethan Allen’s heroism / by John De Morgan
[https://digital.library.villanova.edu/Item/vudl:657408]

Periodicals

Comfort, v. 8, no. 12, October, 1896

Comfort (1 issue added)
[https://digital.library.villanova.edu/Item/vudl:656891]

The Girls’ companion, v. VI, no. 26, June 29, 1907

Girls’ Companion (5 issues added)
[https://digital.library.villanova.edu/Item/vudl:652562?lookfor=title%3Ajune

New York Ledger (3 issues added)
[https://digital.library.villanova.edu/Item/vudl:649658?lookfor=title%3Ajuly]

Detail, Street and Smith’s New York Weekly : a journal of useful knowledge, romance, amusement, &c., v. 60, no. 1, October 15, 1904

New York Weekly (3 issues added)
[https://digital.library.villanova.edu/Item/vudl:660877?lookfor=title%3Aoctober+title%3A1904]

Street & Smith’s Literary Album, v. I, no. 3, January 6, 1866

Street & Smith’s Literary Album (3 issues added)
[https://digital.library.villanova.edu/Item/vudl:658812]
[https://digital.library.villanova.edu/Item/vudl:658830]
[https://digital.library.villanova.edu/Item/vudl:658846]

Weekly Novelette (2 issues added)
[https://digital.library.villanova.edu/Item/vudl:657520]
[https://digital.library.villanova.edu/Item/vudl:657540]

Joseph McGarrity Collection

Art

Realia, Requiescat in pace Ald. Terence McSwiney (Lord Mayor of Cork)

Realia, Requiescat in pace Ald. Terence McSwiney (Lord Mayor of Cork) : born in West Cork, 28th March 1880. Died in Brixton prison, October 25th 1920 after a hunger strike lasting seventy four days. Age 40.
[https://digital.library.villanova.edu/Item/vudl:659144]

Books

[ix] p., The patriotic songs and poems of J.J. Finnan (“Myles”)

The patriotic songs and poems of J.J. Finnan (“Myles”)
[https://digital.library.villanova.edu/Item/vudl:660189]

Sketch of the origin and operations of the Society for Irish Church Missions to the Roman Catholics : Being a record of important documents and information to the commencement of the year 1852 / by the Rev. William Marrable, A.M.
[https://digital.library.villanova.edu/Item/vudl:659600]

A Brief View of the Church of Ireland, in its early purity and independence; its subjugation and restoration / by the Rev. William Baillie, LL.D.
[https://digital.library.villanova.edu/Item/vudl:659648]

A letter to his grace the Archbishop of Dublin :on the nature, government, and tendency of Miss Sellon’s establishment at Plymouth, called the “Sisters of Mercy” / by the Rev. W.G. Cookesley. M.A. with the Archbishop’s reply and postscript
[https://digital.library.villanova.edu/Item/vudl:659072]

System of Irish Education : Explained and Defended / by the Rev. James Carlile
[https://digital.library.villanova.edu/Item/vudl:659680]

[9] p., The lady of Mourne

The Lady of Mourne: a ballad of Ulster, in the thirteenth century / by William McMechan, Esq.
[https://digital.library.villanova.edu/Item/vudl:659768]

p. 41, A handbook of Celtic ornament

A handbook of Celtic ornament : being a key to the construction of all types of that form of decoration, for the use of schools, art teachers, designers, architects, sculptors, etc., with over 700 illustrations / by John G. Merne
[https://digital.library.villanova.edu/Item/vudl:658952]

Newspapers

Detail, “Pictures Impressed On The Mind During 1902”, Saturday Globe, v. 22, no. 32, Saturday, December 27, 1902

Saturday Globe (12 issues added)
[https://digital.library.villanova.edu/Item/vudl:646198]

The Society of The Friendly Sons and Daughters of St. Patrick for The Relief of Emigrants from Ireland

Programs

[3] p., Program, The Society of the Friendly Sons of Saint Patrick, 250th Annual

Program, The Society of the Friendly Sons of Saint Patrick, 250th Annual Banquet, September 17, 2021.
[https://digital.library.villanova.edu/Item/vudl:659150]

Villanova student author

Undergraduate Theses

p. 39, Analysis of The Commuter Station

Analysis of The Commuter Station /Robert C. McIntire
[https://digital.library.villanova.edu/Item/vudl:659876]


Like

Content Roundup – First Week – October 2021

Photograph, Dances, 1950s

This week a number of newly digitized materials are available for readers and researchers; notable items for this week include: photos from Villlanova dances and proms, more issues the Saturday Globe newspaper, and more story paper and dime novel offerings.

Dime Novel and Popular Literature

Fiction

To unknown lands; or, Gordon Keith in Patagonia / by Lawrence White, Jr.
[https://digital.library.villanova.edu/Item/vudl:656691]

Pioneer pearl ; or, How Fort Welltown was saved / by Robert Sherman
[https://digital.library.villanova.edu/Item/vudl:656213]

Periodicals

The half-holiday, v. 1, no. 22, July 2, 1898

The Half-Holiday (1 issue added)
[https://digital.library.villanova.edu/Item/vudl:654977]

Golden Days (1 issue added)
[https://digital.library.villanova.edu/Item/vudl:654432]

Detail, p. [1], The New York family story paper, v. XI, no. 550, April 21, 1884

New York Family Story Paper (1 issue added)
[https://digital.library.villanova.edu/Item/vudl:650809]

New York Ledger (1 issue added)
[https://digital.library.villanova.edu/Item/vudl:655056]

p. [385], The Weekly novelette, v. IV, no. 25, Saturday, March 5, 1859

Weekly Novelette (2 issues added)
[https://digital.library.villanova.edu/Item/vudl:653403]
[https://digital.library.villanova.edu/Item/vudl:653423]

Newspapers

Detail, p. [1], Saturday Globe, v. 18, no. 38, Saturday, February 4, 1899

Saturday Globe (12 issues added)
[https://digital.library.villanova.edu/Item/vudl:646198]

Villanova Digital Collection

Photographs and Illustrations

Photograph, Dances (Junior Dinner Dance), 1960

University Functions, Dances (28 items added)
[https://digital.library.villanova.edu/Item/vudl:620508?type=AllFields&filter%5B%5D=topic_facet%3A%22Villanova+University+–+University+Functions+–+Dances%22]


Like
1 People Like This Post

Green Voices of the Past: The Irish American Club and the Second Boer War

Posted for: Emily Poteat.

Presently, I am working through the Minute Book of the Board of Officers for the Irish American Club, an organization dedicated to organizing and advocating for issues pertinent to the Irish republican cause. Emerging from the minute book are details about how the Irish American Club viewed the Second Boer War as an opportunity to protest British imperialism, through a pro-Boer stance. The discussions on the Second Boer War in the Minute Book of the Board of Officers of the Irish American Club offer an interesting insight as to how Irish Americans viewed British imperialism and attempted to act against it during the early twentieth century.

Lasting from October 11, 1899 to May 31, 1902, the Second Boer War was a conflict between the United Kingdom and the two independent Boer states, the Orange Free State and the South African Republic. Other names for the war include, the Boer War, the Anglo-Boer War, and the South-African War. However, the war erupted following the discovery of both gold and diamonds in the Boer states, and with the question of who would control the Witwatersrand gold mines. In the early phases of the war, Boer attacks proved successful against the British; however, after initial success British reinforcements reversed those successes. Despite this, the war continued for several years, as the Boer forces utilized guerilla warfare against the British. The guerilla warfare tactics of the Boer states were counteracted with a scorched earth policy on the part of the British that brought the war to an end. With the Treaty of Vereeniging, which was signed on May 31, 1902, the Second Boer War came to an end. As a result, the South African Republic and the Orange Free State were no longer independent republics and were incorporated into the British empire.

Initially in the minute book, the Second Boer War appears as a way to support a war against British imperialism. As the months went by in the meeting book, “pro-Boer sentiment and meetings continued to occur, and culminated on page 184 when the organization discussed whether or not take action to protest the war. The organization expressed this by questioning “the advisability of District 12 taking action along the lines suggested by Mr. Van Ness of New York, protesting against the sale of horses to the British Government for us in South Africa against the Boer Republic.”

Further, the organization took great pride in a visit from Major John MacBride, spelled in the minute book as “McBride.” For, it is stated in the minute book on pages 186 and 187, “the object of the meeting was to make arrangements for a reception to Major McBride of the Transvaal Irish Brigade, who had done more to uphold the name of the Irish race than any other man during the past century.” John MacBride was an Irish leader and supporter of the Irish Republican movements. Moreover, MacBride was instrumental to Irish involvement in the Second Boer War, as he was responsible for the organization of the Transvaal Irish Brigade. The Transvaal Irish Brigade, also known as the Irish Transvaal Brigade, or the “Wreckers Corps,” consisted of Irish and Irish-American miners who lived in Transvaal and were willing to fight against the British forces in the Second Boer War. Furthermore, the Transvaal Irish Brigade operated from September 1899 to September 1900, and participated in approximately twenty engagements. In those twenty engagements, eighteen men were killed and seventy were wounded.

Page 187

As a whole, the discussion of the Second Boer War by the Irish American Clubs gives valuable insight as to how Irish Americans viewed Britain’s imperial wars as another means to work against the British, and aid in the overthrow of British rule in other parts of the world. Inherently it can be sensed from this that the Irish Americans viewed it as their duty to not only support British independence, but also the independence of nations also in the British empire.


——————–
Emily Poteat is a graduate assistant in Irish Studies and Falvey Memorial Library’s Distinctive Collections and Digital Engagement Department, and a graduate student in the History Department.


Like
1 People Like This Post

Content Roundup – Third Week – September 2021

Photograph, Demonstration, Villanova Students demonstrate outside the University President’s Office in Tolentine Hall, February 7, 1974

Newly available this week are a number of offerings including: Dime Novels, story paper issues, issues of the very rare Saturday Globe newspaper, the Freedom of Information Act FBI files related to Joseph McGarrity and the Irish Republican Army, a scrapbook documenting the voyage of the “Great White Fleet”, a photo album from a veteran of the Spanish American War, and photos of Villanova student life.

Americana

[12] p., Photograph album of Harry W. DeJarnette during the 1898 Spanish American War

Photograph album of Harry W. DeJarnette during the 1898 Spanish American War
[https://digital.library.villanova.edu/Item/vudl:655417]

p. 5, Scrapbook and autograph book, 1907-1913

Scrapbook and autograph book, 1907-1913
[https://digital.library.villanova.edu/Item/vudl:655665]

Dime Novel and Popular Literature

Fiction

The Irish Judas, or, The Great Conspiracy Against Parnell / by Clarence Clancool.

The Irish Judas, or, The Great Conspiracy Against Parnell / by Clarence Clancool
[https://digital.library.villanova.edu/Item/vudl:655105]

His great revenge, vol. 1 / by Fortune Du Boisgobey
[https://digital.library.villanova.edu/Item/vudl:655161]

Periodicals

Golden Hours (3 issues added)
[https://digital.library.villanova.edu/Item/vudl:655397]
[https://digital.library.villanova.edu/Item/vudl:655477]
[https://digital.library.villanova.edu/Item/vudl:655457]

The Fireside at home, v. II, no. 2, February, 1881

Fireside at Home (1 issue added)
[https://digital.library.villanova.edu/Item/vudl:654010]

Girls’ Companion (4 issues added)
[https://digital.library.villanova.edu/Item/vudl:652562?lookfor=title%3Aapril]

[121] p., Frank Leslie’s Chimney Corner, v. X, no. 242, January 15, 1870

Frank Leslie’s Chimney Corner (1 issue added)
[https://digital.library.villanova.edu/Item/vudl:653914]

Portland Transcript (6 issues added)
[https://digital.library.villanova.edu/Item/vudl:649817?lookfor=title%3A(march+OR+april)+AND+title%3A1856]

Joseph McGarrity Collection

Other

Irish Republican Army, F.B.I. files, 1939-1976
[https://digital.library.villanova.edu/Item/vudl:656036]

Newspapers

Front cover, detail with Color cover illustration: “Uncle Sam is now in dead earnest and the dogs of war are eager for the fray.” Saturday Globe, v. 17, no. 47, Saturday, April 9, 1898

Saturday Globe (22 issues added)
[https://digital.library.villanova.edu/Collection/vudl:646198]

Villanova Digital Collection

Villanova University President’s Records

Personal Appeal of Rev. J. J. Fedigan, O.S.A. to his many friends wherever found, circa 1870s.

John Joseph Fedigan, O.S.A. records (2 items added, collection created)
[https://digital.library.villanova.edu/Item/vudl:656444]

College and University Functions

Program, Dedication of Moulden Hall, Klekotka Hall, Rudolph Hall, Welsh Hall, October 11, 1994
[https://digital.library.villanova.edu/Item/vudl:655510]

Student Life

Photograph, Radio Club, circa 1950s

Photographs, (14 added)
[https://digital.library.villanova.edu/Item/vudl:620489?type=AllFields&sort=normalized_sort_date&page=3]


Like

Green Voices of the Past: The Commemoration of Armed Insurrections in the Irish American Club

Posted for: Emily Poteat.

The Irish American Club was a club dedicated to organizing and advocating for issues pertinent to the Irish republican cause. Throughout Minute Book of the Board of Officers for the Irish American Club, one of the most prominent examples of their advocacy and work was through their commemorative celebrations held in remembrance of some of the failed Irish republican uprisings, as well as important figures in Irish republicanism.

One of the first instances of commemorating armed insurrections that appeared in manuscript, was with the mention of a committee on an Emmet celebration on page eight of the manuscript [1]. This celebration was to commemorate the death of the leader of Irish Rebellion of 1803, Robert Emmet. Emmet was born on September 08, 1771, and was the eleventh child of Dr. Robert Emmet and Elizabeth Emmet (née Mason) [2]. Emmet prior to the insurrection was deeply involved in the Society of United Irishmen, which was formed following the French Revolution, and later evolved to advocate to secure a representative government in Ireland. Emmet, initiated the Irish Rebellion on July 23, 1803, and did so in the hope of overthrowing British rule in Ireland and implementing a representative government [4]. The rebellion failed, and on September 20, 1803 Emmet was put to death for his role in the rebellion [5]. On page 68 of the minute book, it becomes clear that the men in the Irish American Club felt a deep commitment to making sure that the celebration in commemoration of Emmet was successful. For example, on page 68 a man identified as “Br Thompson” is described as having “urged the brothers to try and make the coming Emmet celebration a great success”[6]. Further punctuating this was a description of a statement made by a man referred to as “Br Dillon,” who “said that we ought to try and make the Emmet celebration the greatest success we ever had on account on the present situation in Europe”[7]. From these brief mentions of the planning of the Emmet celebration, one gains the sense that the Emmet celebration was of great importance to the men of the Irish American Club. As an important Irish republican figure, the Emmet celebration was brought up yearly in the minute book, and was one of the club’s annual celebrations.

Image showing quote about Emmet celebration

Also commemorated frequently by the Irish American Club, was the 1798 Rebellion. The Irish Rebellion of 1798 was born in the era of the French Revolution.[8] Revolutionary fervor sweeping through France, gave inspiration to Irish republican and Irish nationalist organizers, and this resulted in the reorganization of groups such as the Volunteers, and the creation of the United Irishmen [9]. In early 1798 the United Irishmen made the decision to instigate a domestic uprising, and this rebellion is considered by scholars to have decisively changed Irish society [10]. Primarily, the purpose of the 1798 Rebellion was to overthrow British rule in Ireland. During the rebellion, the rebels had success in County Wexford, in Ireland; however, when the rebels attempted to carry the rebellion to the northern and western regions of Ireland, they failed [11]. It was on June 21, 1798, at Vinegar Hill, where the rebel forces were effectively defeated [12]. From the way that the Irish American Club spoke of the 1798 Rebellion, referred to in the manuscript as “the events of 98,” one gains a sense of the importance of the event to the Irish American community in the late nineteenth century [13]. For example, on page 98, when debating on the plans for the commemorative celebration of the 1798 Rebellion it was recorded by the secretary, that the “Bros Carney and Redmond” had carried out a long debate as to “the most suitable way to celebrate the memory of the men and the events of 98” [14]. Furthermore, the importance of the rebellion and commemorating it, for the club is clear in the language utilized in the minute book, with the words “most suitable” it is clear the men were putting considerable thought into the celebration. Further, according to page 104 of the manuscript, there was considerable anticipation for the commemorative celebration, as it is put forth “Bro MacMahon reported from the committee on the 98 celebration, stating that the prospects for a very impressive demonstration were bright, as all persons who were enthusiastic” [15].

Image showing quote about the 1798 Rebellion

From the commemoration of these two uprisings, one gains the sense of the dedication and the inspiration that the men of the Irish American Club drew from the armed uprisings in Ireland’s history. Moreover, this minute book amplifies the voices of the men who partook in the commemoration of events and a cause they were deeply committed to.

—–

Bibliography

Curtin, Nancy J. “The Transformation of the Society of United Irishmen into a Mass-Based Revolutionary Organization, 1794-6.” Irish Historical Studies 24, no. 96 (1985): 463-492.

Geoghegan, Patrick M. Robert Emmet: A Life. Cornwall, United Kingdom: McGill-Queen’s University Press, 2002.

Minute book. Board of Officers Irish American Club. Meeting Minutes. January 19, 1896. Villanova University Digital Library. Accessed September 15, 2021. https://digital.library.villanova.edu/Item/vudl:572888.

Patterson, James G. In the Wake of The Great Rebellion: Republicanism, Agrarianism and Banditry in Ireland after 1798. Manchester, United Kingdom: Manchester University Press, 2008.

Séaghdha, Tomás Ó. “Robert Emmet and the Insurrection of 1803.” The Past: The Organ of the Uí Cinsealaigh Historical Society, no. 22 (2000): 51-66.

—–

Notes

[1] Minute book, Board of Officers, Irish American Club, Meeting Minutes, January 19, 1896. Villanova University Digital Library, accessed September 15, 2021. https://digital.library.villanova.edu/Item/vudl:572888., 8.

[2] Patrick M. Geoghegan, Robert Emmet: A Life. (Cornwall, England: McGill-Queen’s University Press, 2002), 51.

[3] Nancy J. Curtin, “The Transformation of the Society of United Irishmen into a Mass-Based Revolutionary Organization, 1794-6,” Irish Historical Studies 24, no. 96 (1985): 463.

[4] Geoghegan, Robert Emmet: A Life, 155-164.

[5] Tomás Ó Séaghdha, “Robert Emmet and the Insurrection of 1803,” The Past: The Organ of the Uí Cinsealaigh Historical Society, no. 22 (2000): 64.

[6] Minute book, Board of Officers, Irish American Club, Meeting Minutes, January 19, 1896. Villanova University Digital Library, accessed September 15, 2021. https://digital.library.villanova.edu/Item/vudl:572888., 68.

[7] Minute book, Board of Officers, Irish American Club, Meeting Minutes, January 19, 1896. Villanova University Digital Library, accessed September 15, 2021. https://digital.library.villanova.edu/Item/vudl:572888., 68.

[8] James G. Patterson, In the Wake of The Great Rebellion: Republicanism, Agrarianism and Banditry in Ireland after 1798 (Manchester, United Kingdom: Manchester University Press, 2008), 1.

[9] Patterson, In the Wake of the Great Rebellion, 1.

[10] Patterson, In the Wake of the Great Rebellion, 3.

[11] Patterson, In the Wake of the Great Rebellion, 3.

[12] Patterson, In the Wake of the Great Rebellion, 3.

[13] Minute book, Board of Officers, Irish American Club, Meeting Minutes, January 19, 1896. Villanova University Digital Library, accessed September 15, 2021. https://digital.library.villanova.edu/Item/vudl:572888, 98.

[14] Minute book, Board of Officers, Irish American Club, Meeting Minutes, January 19, 1896. Villanova University Digital Library, accessed September 15, 2021. https://digital.library.villanova.edu/Item/vudl:572888, 98.

[15] Minute book, Board of Officers, Irish American Club, Meeting Minutes, January 19, 1896. Villanova University Digital Library, accessed September 15, 2021. https://digital.library.villanova.edu/Item/vudl:572888, 104.

——————–
Emily Poteat is a graduate assistant in Irish Studies and Falvey Memorial Library’s Distinctive Collections and Digital Engagement Department, and a graduate student in the History Department.


Like
1 People Like This Post

Content Roundup – First Two Weeks – September 2021

This two week Content Roundup highlights recently digitized materials from the first two weeks of September including more materials from American popular culture and literature.

Dime Novel and Popular Literature

Fiction

Captain Mystery; or, The brave girl of Boulder Bar / by Herbert Bellwood
[https://digital.library.villanova.edu/Item/vudl:654937]

Holland Library (1 issue added):
[https://digital.library.villanova.edu/Item/vudl:653031]

Her love or her life? : a sequel to The bride’s ordeal / by E.D.E.N. Southwort
[https://digital.library.villanova.edu/Item/vudl:654600]

Periodicals

Golden Hours : A Weekly Journal of Good Literature for Young Folks, v. XXI, no. 542, Saturday June 18, 1898

Golden Hours : A Weekly Journal of Good Literature for Young Folks (1 issue added)
[https://digital.library.villanova.edu/Item/vudl:654580]

Frank Leslie’s Chimney Corner, v. X, no. 240, January 1, 1870

Frank Leslie’s Chimney Corner (2 issues added)
[https://digital.library.villanova.edu/Item/vudl:652643]
[https://digital.library.villanova.edu/Item/vudl:653894]

Selection, front cover, The Girls’ companion, v. VI, no. 12, March 23, 1907

Girls’ Companion (5 issues added)
[https://digital.library.villanova.edu/Item/vudl:652562?lookfor=title%3Amarch]

Portland Transcript (4 issues added)
[https://digital.library.villanova.edu/Item/vudl:649817?lookfor=title%3Afeb]


Like

Green Voice of the Past: Women in the Patrick H. Pearse Branch of the Friends of Irish Freedom

Posted for: Emily Poteat.

Often underrepresented in the historical record, women’s voices and experiences offer an important lens through which to view history and the events of the past. While clearly present, and participating throughout historical events of the past, often women’s voices were not as often acknowledged or given the same attention as that of men. Emerging from the Patrick H. Pearse Branch of the Friends of Irish Freedom’s Minute Book are the voices of many women who stridently organized and participated in the movement for Irish Independence during the early twentieth century. Founded during the third Irish Race Convention, held from March 04, 1916 to March 05, 1916, the Friends of Irish Freedom was founded with the aims of both supporting and assisting in the movement for Irish independence.

Title Page of Minute Book

To an extent, the participation of women in the Patrick H. Pearse Branch of the Friends of Irish Freedom was unusual, as women were not often invited or accepted into these types of organizations with men during this time period. Despite this, the Patrick H. Pearse Branch of the Friends of Irish Freedom, according to their minute book, were honored to welcome women into their branch of the organization. This is evident on page thirty of the manuscript where it is stated, “a goodly member of Irish ladies attended the meeting and it is hoped they will continue their visits, and invite others to do the same, as we recognize the fact that from the women of Limerick all the way down the line…women have played a noble part in Irelands fight for Independence.” With word choices such as “noble,” and “goodly” when describing the woman who attended the meeting, one garners the sense that the Patrick H. Pearse Branch of the Friends of Irish Freedom were pleased to have welcomed the woman to their meeting. Furthermore, the secretary directly noted that the organization hoped they would continue to attend and bring more women into the branch.

Page with Nolan Quote

Denoting this openness to women’s involvement in the organization was the way that women were supported throughout the manuscript in not only voicing their opinions on Irish independence, but also in participating and running for elected positions within the branch, as well as taking part in committees. The voice of Mary Nolan emerges strongly from the manuscript, wherein she consistently participated in discussion, was appointed to various important committees, and was elected as Chancellor and later Chairlady of the Ball Committee. From reading the manuscript, one gains the sense that Nolan was well-respected within the branch, along with the other women who joined the branch. Women were referred to as “Sister” and men were referred to as “Brother.” Moreover, the way Nolan was written about further demonstrates the respect that she received from the organization. For example, the secretary wrote on page 33, “Sister Nolan (new member) spoke eloquently on her American birth.” The use of “eloquent” demonstrates that the secretary respected what Nolan had to say, and acknowledged the persuasiveness and clarity of her speech. Also evident from the manuscript, was the dedication that women in the organization felt towards the cause of Irish independence. Nolan, is recorded in the manuscript on page 33 as having conveyed that “she loved that dear land Ireland, that she had never yet seen, but which prayed to see, but not until England was driven from its stock and barrell [sic]. She knew God was a good God, but she believed he would be a sleepy God if he allowed England to come out victorious.” From the passionate wording of Nolan, and the respect with which her oration was recorded, it is evident that women contributed and voiced their beliefs freely within the Patrick H. Pearse Branch of the Friends of Irish Freedom.

Nolan was not the only woman to emerge from the pages of the minute book from the Patrick H. Pearse Branch of the Friends of Irish Freedom. Women such as Margaret Kain, Marie Seary, Annie Doyle, Mary O’Hagan, and many others also appear in the text. With each appearance one sees these women being accepted and actively participating in committees and elections within the organization, and actively contributing to the cause for Irish independence.
——————–
Emily Poteat is a graduate assistant in Irish Studies and Falvey Memorial Library’s Distinctive Collections and Digital Engagement Department, and a graduate student in the History Department.


Like
1 People Like This Post

« Previous PageNext Page »

 


Last Modified: September 8, 2021

Ask Us: Live Chat
Back to Top