Cork 1918: Victory, Virus and Votes

The Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr. Mick Finn yesterday attended a preview of the latest exhibition in Cork Public Museum, “Cork 1918 – Victory, Virus and Votes”.  The exhibition focuses on the Cork connection to World War One and its immediate aftermath, and contains a variety of fascinating objects from the Museum’s own collections as well as fantastic loans from the general public. These include collections of First World War artefacts and memorabilia that shed some light on Cork’s involvement in the war and its lasting effects.

The Lord Mayor said, “The addition of these new artefacts relating to Cork and Ireland during World War I is very timely given the centenary of that war’s end. Significantly also, they include items associated with both the war in Europe and the then ongoing struggle for independence here at home. The diaries of Iar-Árdmhéara Terence MacSwiney will be of special interest I feel alongside the memorabilia of ordinary people, neatly summing up that period.”

The following is a brief overview of the best material:

ARTHUR FITZGERALD (PART OF THE FITZGERALDS MENSWEAR ON PATRICK STREET)

Kindly donated by his daughter, Arthur Fitzgerald’s collection reflects his military service as a Messenger in the Signal Corp for the British Army beginning in 1915 and an Airman for the Royal Flying Corp/RAF 1916 till 1919. Amongst these items are:

Unique personal photographs
British Campaign War Medal (1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal) in their original package with Fitzgerald’s name and rank on each box.
Equipment he used while flying such as a Kodak camera, a compass and binoculars.
 

CHRISTY BARRY COLLECTION:

A collection of personal effects and letters related to the service of Christy Barry of Douglas Street, who died saving his captain on the Western Front in 1915.
 

LASTING IMPACT OF THE WAR: 

A memorial plaque (Death Penny) in tribute to Lyons who died on 15th November 1916.
Patrick Downing’s unclaimed 1914-15 Star Medal which was found in Cork District Mental Hospital where he spent his remaining years after being diagnosed with insanity after a long military career since 1877.
And three British War Medals belonging to James Hayes for serving in France with the Royal Munster Fusiliers since 1915. In 1919, he was deemed medically unfit, diagnosed with insanity, and discharged from service.

NATIONALIST SIDE:

The museum will also be displaying collections which highlight the struggle for Irish independence. These collections include Cumann na mBan’s efforts against Conscription Act, Sinn Féin and Dáil Éireann publications as well as Cork Irish Volunteers activities. Some of the significant items on display will include:

 Lá na mBan (Women’s Day) Meeting Pamphlet, circa 1918.
Signed Anti-Conscription Pledge by Republicans imprisoned in Cork Gaol, circa 1918.
Declaration of Independence Publication, circa 1919
Handcuffs and Key related to the escape/rescue of Volunteer Donnchadh Mac Niallghuis from Cork County Jail on the same day the war ended. These items were kindly donated by the Mac Neillghus family and Collins Barracks Museum Cork.
Items relating to elections include significant publications and loaned objects belonging to Terence McSwiney during their served time in Lincoln Prison such as:

An edited Arthur Griffith Nationality Journal, circa 1918
Terence McSwiney’s Diary dating from 15th September 1918 to 27th February 1919.
Signed by warden, a prisoner visitation pass issued on 29th April 1918 to Muriel McSwiney to visit her husband in jail.
Inscribed with the words “Cork with De Valera for Ireland” is an extremely rare Éamon De Valera election medal.
Contact: Dan Breen, Curator Cork Public Museum 021 4270679