Chief Secretary’s Office, Crime Branch: Dublin Metropolitan Police (DMP) Movement of Extremists January 1916
The series is comprised of daily reports produced by the DMP Detective Department on the movements and associations of pro-independence suspects between 29 May 1915 and 20 April 1916.
The DMP reports were compiled by Superintendent Owen Brien and submitted to the Under Secretary for Ireland, Sir Matthew Nathan, at Dublin Castle. The reports describe Republican activity in Dublin during the 11 months preceding the Easter Rising. The final report in the series was written on 20 April 1916, just 4 days before the beginning of the Rising.
The reports detail intelligence gathered at a number of key city centre locations, including the shop of Thomas J Clarke at 75 Parnell Street, the Irish Volunteers Office at 2 Dawson Street, the Irish National Forester’s Hall at 41 Parnell Square, and the headquarters of the Gaelic League at 25 Parnell Square. The reports record the interaction of suspects at these locations and attendance at meetings, as well as drilling and marching of Irish Volunteers. The movements of suspects in and out of Dublin were also recorded at the five main Dublin train stations: Kingsbridge [Heuston], Amiens Street [Connolly], Westland Row [Pearse Station], Broadstone and Harcourt Street, and at Dublin Port.
Major events which took place in 1915 and 1916 are recorded in the reports, including the funeral of the Fenian leader Jeremiah O’Donovan Rossa (1 August 1915) and the Annual Convention of Irish Volunteers (31 October 1915). They also record the travel of suspects to events outside of Dublin, such as the ‘annual pilgrimage’ to Bodenstown, County Kildare, for commemorations at the grave of Theobald Wolfe Tone (19 June 1915). Other activities recorded in the reports include anti-recruitment and conscription rallies, meetings of the Irish Women’s Franchise League, and protests against the imprisonment of revolutionaries under the Defence of the Realm Act.
There are over 230 individuals referred to in the reports, principally members of the Irish Volunteers, the Irish Republican Brotherhood and Sinn Féin. The primary person of interest is Thomas J Clarke, who is mentioned in almost every report, while the other most frequently mentioned individuals include Pierce Beasley, Thomas Byrne, Con Colbert, Bulmer Hobson, Seán T Ó Ceallaigh, Seán Mac Diarmada, John McGarry, Joseph McGuinness, Herbert Mellows, Michael O’Hanrahan, William O’Leary Curtis, Michael Joseph O’Rahilly and James Joseph Walsh.
The reports also contain copies of Nationalist newspapers, with attention drawn to ‘anti-British’ content, as well as pamphlets and election material. Publications include The Workers’ Republic, Ná Bac Leis, Nationality, The Hibernian, The Irish Volunteer, The Spark, Honesty and New Ireland.
For more information on the individuals frequently mentioned in the reports, please see Who were the Extremists?
For more information about the work of the Chief Secretary, please see Office of Chief Secretary for Ireland.
For more information about how the documents were conserved please see How we conserve the Movement of Extremist reports.
(NAI, CSO/JD/2/174)
The report of 1 January 1916 records visits to the shop of Thomas J Clarke, 75 Parnell Street, by Frank Fahy, followed by William O’Leary Curtis, Thomas Byrne, John O’Mahony, John McGarry, Michael Foley, William Sheehan, James J Buggy, MW O’Reilly and Edward Daly.
Michael J O’Rahilly and Ernest Blythe are observed together in Sackville Street [O’Connell Street], while JJ Walsh is observed in his shop at 26 Blessington Street.
The arrival of Bulmer Hobson by train from Belfast and Seán MacDiarmada from Limerick is noted.
A copy is included of the latest issue of The Spark.
For the full report please see Dublin Metropolitan Police (DMP) Detective Department report on the movement of Dublin extremists on 31 December 1915.
(NAI, CSO/JD/2/175)
The report of 3 January 1916 records visits to the shop of Thomas J Clarke, 75 Parnell Street, on Saturday 1 January by Seán T Ó Ceallaigh, followed by Joseph McGuinness, Joseph Murray, John O’Mahony, FJ McCabe, Seán MacDiarmada, William O’Leary Curtis and Michael O’Hanrahan. On Sunday 2 January, Clarke is visited by O’Ceallaigh, McGuinness and MacDiarmada a second time.
The departure of Herbert M Pim in the company of Laurence Ginnell MP [Member of Parliament] to Mullingar is noted.
Ernest Blythe and Eimar O’Duffy are observed in the office of the Irish Volunteers, 2 Dawson Street. Blythe’s subsequent departure to Limerick is noted.
John Nolan ‘ex Dynamite Convict’ is observed in the company of Laurence Reddy in College Green. Reddy’s previous close association with Nolan is reported.
The report concludes with details of the arrival from Belfast of Charles S [Wyse] Power BL [Barrister at Law] and John Neeson from Drogheda [County Louth].
A copy is included of the second issue of The Pioneer, a magazine edited by Neal MacNeill, son of Eoin MacNeill, and sold to members of the Sinn Féin Boy Scouts and Irish Volunteers.
For the full report please see Dublin Metropolitan Police (DMP) Detective Department report on the movement of Dublin extremists on 1 and 2 January 1916.
(NAI, CSO/JD/2/176)
The report of 4 January 1916 records visits to the shop of Thomas J Clarke, 75 Parnell Street, by John McGarry, followed by Seán MacDiarmada, Denis McCullough, Joseph Murray and William O’Leary Curtis.
The departure from Dublin of a number of individuals is noted, including John Neeson to Drogheda [County Louth], John O’Mahony to Cork and Denis McCullough to Belfast.
The arrival of Patrick Ryan from Belfast is reported.
A meeting in the office of the Irish Volunteers, 2 Dawson Street, is attended by Herbert ‘Barney’ Mellows, Eimar O’Duffy, Bulmer Hobson, Michael J O’Rahilly and James O’Sullivan. A second meeting later that evening is attended by Éamon de Valera, Joseph Plunkett and Thomas MacDonagh.
For the full report please see Dublin Metropolitan Police (DMP) Detective Department report on the movement of Dublin extremists on 3 January 1916.
(NAI, CSO/JD/2/177)
The report of 5 January 1916 records visits to the shop of Thomas J Clarke, 75 Parnell Street, by John McGarry, followed by Thomas McCarthy, Seán T Ó Ceallaigh, MW O’Reilly and William O’Leary Curtis.
A meeting in the office of the Irish Volunteers, 2 Dawson Street, is attended by Bulmer Hobson, Herbert ‘Barney’ Mellows, Eimar O’Duffy, Michael O’Hanrahan, Thomas MacDonagh and Joseph McGuinness.
A report is given of a lecture by Francis Sheehy-Skeffington of his ‘impressions in America’, hosted by the Irish Women’s’ Franchise League at 41 Parnell Square. The lecture was attended by ‘about 500 persons’ including James Connolly, William O’Brien, Thomas J Clarke, Bulmer Hobson, Arthur Griffith, Patrick Ryan, Eimar O’Duffy, John McGarry, Patrick O’Keeffe, Charles D Somers, Gerald Crofts, Countess Markievicz and Mrs [Jennie] Wyse Power.
An annotation on the report states ‘we have not yet obtained any particulars of Mr Skeffington’s address’.
For the full report please see Dublin Metropolitan Police (DMP) Detective Department report on the movement of Dublin extremists on 4 January 1916.
(NAI, CSO/JD/2/178)
The report of 6 January 1916 records visits to the shop of Thomas J Clarke, 75 Parnell Street, by Michael J O’Rahilly and Seán MacDiarmada, followed by Patrick Hughes, Charles J Kickham, James J Buggy, Michael O’Hanrahan and Frank Fahy.
John Nolan is observed in College Green.
A meeting in the office of the Irish Volunteers, 2 Dawson Street, is attended by Bulmer Hobson, Herbert ‘Barney’ Mellows and Michael O’Hanrahan.
The departure is noted of Herbert M Pim by train to Belfast, Joseph Murray to Drogheda [County Louth] and Patrick Hughes to Dundalk [County Louth].
Seán MacDiarmada, Eimar O’Duffy and John McGarry are observed together in 12 D’Olier Street.
Copies are included of the latest issues of The Irish Volunteer, Honesty, The Hibernian and New Ireland.
For the full report please see Dublin Metropolitan Police (DMP) Detective Department report on the movement of Dublin extremists on 5 January 1916.
(NAI, CSO/JD/2/179)
The report of 7 January 1916 records visits to the shop of Thomas J Clarke, 75 Parnell Street, by Seán MacDiarmada, followed by William O’Leary Curtis, Piaras Béaslaí and James Stritch.
John Nolan is observed at Cork Hill.
A meeting in the office of the Irish Volunteers, 2 Dawson Street, is attended by Bulmer Hobson, Herbert ‘Barney’ Mellows and Michael O’Hanrahan. Michael J O’Rahilly attends later in the afternoon.
A number of individuals are observed throughout the City, including William P Partridge in the company of Patrick T Daly in Liberty Hall, JJ Walsh in his shop at 26 Blessington Street and Gerald Griffin and Thomas Byrne together in Parnell Square.
Copies are included of the latest issues of Nationality and The Workers’ Republic, as well as a pamphlet on the Defence of the Realm Act in Ireland. The report concludes with details of an announcement in Nationality of the publication of a new monthly paper The Irishman, which will begin circulation on the 15 January 1916.
Annotations on the report state ’41 York St [Street] is the Workmans’ Club & the Secretary is Alderman T [Thomas] Kelly’, a second annotation states ‘Ch. Secy [Chief Secretary] To see the “Defence of the Realm Act in Ireland” pamphlet’.
For the full report please see Dublin Metropolitan Police (DMP) Detective Department report on the movement of Dublin extremists on 6 January 1916.
(NAI, CSO/JD/2/180)
The report of 8 January 1916 records visits to the shop of Thomas J Clarke, 75 Parnell Street, by James O’Sullivan, followed by Michael Foley, FJ McCabe, James J Buggy and MW O’Reilly.
A meeting in the office of the Irish Volunteers, 2 Dawson Street, is attended by Eoin MacNeill, Bulmer Hobson, Herbert ‘Barney’ Mellows, Joseph Plunkett, Thomas MacDonagh, Jeremiah Joseph O’Connell, John Fitzgibbon and Michael O’Hanrahan. A second meeting later in the evening is also attended by Hobson, O’Hanrahan and O’Connell along with Éamon de Valera, Edward Daly, Seán MacDiarmada, Joseph McGuinness, Piaras Béaslaí and Frank Fahy.
Gerald Griffin is observed in the shop of JJ Walsh at 26 Blessington Street.
The departure by train to Galway of Valentine Steinberger [University College Galway] is noted.
A copy is included of the latest issue of The Spark.
For the full report please see Dublin Metropolitan Police (DMP) Detective Department report on the movement of Dublin extremists on 7 January 1916.
Report of 10 January 1916
(NAI, CSO/JD/2/181)
The report of 10 January 1916 records visits to the shop of Thomas J Clarke, 75 Parnell Street, on Saturday 8 January by Joseph McGuinness, followed by Piaras Béaslaí, Jeremiah Joseph O’Connell, Seán MacDiarmada, Charles Shannon and Thomas McCarthy. On Sunday 9 January, Clarke is visited by MacDiarmada and Shannon for a second time, as well as Ben Parsons and Patrick O’Malley.
Thomas J Clarke, Seán MacDiarmada and James Whelan are observed together at 12 D’Olier Street.
A meeting in the office of the Irish Volunteers, 2 Dawson Street, is attended by Michael J O’Rahilly, Bulmer Hobson and Michael O’Hanrahan. A second meeting later in the evening is again attended by O’Hanrahan and O’Rahilly along with Jeremiah Joseph O’Connell, Thomas MacDonagh, Laurence Raul, Éamonn Ceannt and Pierce McCann [Cashel, County Tipperary].
The departure by train of James O’Sullivan to Crossdoney [County Cavan] and the arrival of John Neeson from Drogheda [County Louth], Charles Shannon from Belfast and Patrick O’Malley from Galway is noted. Neeson and Shannon are noted to have departed on Sunday.
A meeting of the Executive of the Gaelic League at 25 Parnell Square is attended by Seán T Ó Ceallaigh, Seán MacDiarmada, R Foley, Charles Shannon, Piaras Béaslaí, Michael J O’Rahilly, Patrick O’Malley and Pierce McCann.
The report concludes with details of some of those in attendance at a lecture on ‘The Gaelic Social System’ by Eoin MacNeill, held at 25 Parnell Square.
For the full report please see Dublin Metropolitan Police (DMP) Detective Department report on the movement of Dublin extremists on 8 and 9 January 1916.
Report of 11 January 1916
(NAI, CSO/JD/2/182)
The report of 11 January 1916 records visits to the shop of Thomas J Clarke, 75 Parnell Street, by Seán MacDiarmada followed by Michael Foley, Joseph Murray and John R Reynolds. Reynolds is described as an accountant who recently applied for a passport to enable him to travel to America. An annotation on the report states ‘Reynolds is being informed that the issue of a passport to him cannot be recommended’.
The departure by train of Patrick O’Malley to Galway and Pierce McCann to Roscrea [County Tipperary] is noted.
Michael J O’Rahilly and Pierce McCann are observed together in the office of the Irish Volunteers, 2 Dawson Street. Éamon de Valera is observed in the same location later in the evening.
The report concludes with details of the presence of Joseph McGuinness and Seán MacDiarmada at a drill of members of the Irish Volunteers at 41 Parnell Square.
For the full report please see Dublin Metropolitan Police (DMP) Detective Department report on the movement of Dublin extremists on 10 January 1916.
Report of 12 January 1916
(NAI, CSO/JD/2/183)
The report of 12 January 1916 records visits to the shop of Thomas J Clarke, 75 Parnell Street, by Seán MacDiarmada, followed by Michael Foley, Michael Mullen, Michael O’Hanrahan, Piaras Béaslaí and Victor Collins. The arrival of Collins from Castlebar [County Mayo] earlier in the evening is noted.
A meeting in the office of the Irish Volunteers, 2 Dawson Street, is attended by Patrick H Pearse, Thomas MacDonagh, Michael J O’Rahilly, Piaras Béaslaí, Edward Daly, Thomas Byrne, Eimar O’Duffy, Bulmer Hobson, Jeremiah Joseph O’Connell, Joseph Plunkett and Joseph Duggan. Duggan is described as a solicitor’s clerk, who is also a captain in the Irish Volunteers.
Seán MacDiarmada, William O’Leary Curtis and Arthur Griffith are observed together in the Ship Hotel, Abbey Street.
For the full report please see Dublin Metropolitan Police (DMP) Detective Department report on the movement of Dublin extremists on 11 January 1916.
Report of 13 January 1916
(NAI, CSO/JD/2/184)
The report of 13 January 1916 records visits to the shop of Thomas J Clarke, 75 Parnell Street, by Seán MacDiarmada and John McGarry, followed by Joseph Murray, Mrs [Hanna] Sheehy-Skeffington, James J Buggy and John R Reynolds.
Countess Markievicz is observed in the office of John R Reynolds, 1 College Street. An annotation on the report states ‘Ch Secy [Chief Secretary] To See the papers. JR Reynolds recently came under notice in connection with a request for a passport with which to go on a short visit to New York. The request was suspicious & the F.O. [Foreign Office] have been advised to refuse it’. See report of 11 January 1916.
A meeting in the office of the Irish Volunteers, 2 Dawson Street, is attended by Bulmer Hobson, Herbert ‘Barney’ Mellows and Michael J O’Rahilly. A second meeting later in the evening is again attended by Hobson, Mellows and O’Rahilly, along with Patrick Ryan, Éamon de Valera, Michael J O’Hanrahan, Joseph Plunkett, [James] O’Connor, Thomas MacDonagh, Éamonn Ceannt, Seán MacDiarmada, Patrick H Pearse, Eimar O’Duffy and FJ McCabe.
Victor Collins is observed in Sackville Street [O’Connell Street].
Copies are included of the latest issues of The Irish Volunteer, Nationality, The Hibernian and Honesty.
For the full report please see Dublin Metropolitan Police (DMP) Detective Department report on the movement of Dublin extremists on 12 January 1916.
Report of 14 January 1916
(NAI, CSO/JD/2/185)
The report of 14 January 1916 records visits to the shop of Thomas J Clarke, 75 Parnell Street, by Seán T Ó Ceallaigh, followed by Victor Collins, Con Colbert and Seán MacDiarmada.
A meeting in the office of the Irish Volunteers, 2 Dawson Street, is attended by Bulmer Hobson, Michael O’Hanrahan and Michael J O’Rahilly. A second meeting late in the evening is attended by Éamon de Valera, Éamonn Ceannt and Jeremiah Joseph O’Connell. O’Connell is observed earlier in the day in the company of Frank Fahy in College Green.
JJ Walsh, Patrick O’Keeffe and Con Collins are observed together in Abbey Street.
Copies are included of the latest issues of New Ireland and The Workers’ Republic.
For the full report please see Dublin Metropolitan Police (DMP) Detective Department report on the movement of Dublin extremists on 13 January 1916.
Report of 15 January 1916
(NAI, CSO/JD/2/186)
The report of 15 January 1916 records visits to the shop of Thomas J Clarke, 75 Parnell Street, by Joseph McGuinness, followed by E O’Toole and Alphonsus Keevlahan, John R Reynolds, James J Buggy, Seán T Ó Ceallaigh and James O’Connor. O’Toole and Keevlahan are described as members of the Irish Volunteers. Their arrival by train from Limerick a half hour prior to their visit to Clarke is noted.
A meeting in the office of the Irish Volunteers, 2 Dawson Street, is attended by Michael J O’Rahilly, Jeremiah Joseph O’Connell, Thomas MacDonagh and Joseph Duggan. O’Rahilly, O’Connell and MacDonagh are again present for a second meeting later in the evening, which is also attended by Bulmer Hobson, Seán MacDiarmada, Patrick Ryan, Joseph Plunkett, Éamonn Ceannt, Éamon de Valera, Con Colbert, FJ McCabe, George Irvine and James O’Connor.
A copy is included of the latest issue of The Spark.
For the full report please see Dublin Metropolitan Police (DMP) Detective Department report on the movement of Dublin extremists on 14 January 1916.
Report of 17 January 1916
(NAI, CSO/JD/2/187)
The report of 17 January 1916 records visits to the shop of Thomas J Clarke, 75 Parnell Street, on Saturday 15 January by John McGarry, followed by Edward Daly, Ben Parsons, Michael Foley, Alphonsus Keevlahan, D O’Toole, Thomas McCarthy, James J Buggy, MW O’Reilly, John R Reynolds, John O’Sullivan, Michael O’Hanrahan, FJ McCabe, Charles [Wyse] S Power, John Neeson, Piaras Béaslaí, Seán MacDiarmada and William O’Leary Curtis. On Sunday 16 January, Clarke is visited by Parsons a second time, along with Patrick Hughes.
A meeting in the office of the Irish Volunteers, 2 Dawson Street, is attended by Bulmer Hobson, Michael O’Hanrahan, Michael J O’Rahilly, Jeremiah Joseph O’Connell, Herbert ‘Barney’ Mellows and Joseph Duggan. O’Hanrahan and O’Connell are again present for a second meeting later in the evening, which is also attended by Éamonn Ceannt, Patrick Ryan, Thomas MacDonagh, Éamon de Valera and FJ McCabe.
Details are provided of those in attendance at a meeting of the General Council of the Irish Volunteers on Sunday, along with a brief outline of the agenda.
The arrival of Pierce McCann by train from Thurles [County Tipperary] is noted.
JJ Walsh is observed in his shop at 26 Blessington Street.
The report concludes with details of the assembly at 41 Parnell Square of around 240 members of the Irish Volunteers ‘228 of whom carried rifles’ and their march towards Finglas under the command of Edward Daly, Frank Fahy, Joseph McGuinness and Gerald Griffin.
For the full report please see Dublin Metropolitan Police (DMP) Detective Department report on the movement of Dublin extremists on 15 and 16 January 1916.
Report of 18 January 1916
(NAI, CSO/JD/2/188)
The report of 18 January 1916 records visits to the shop of Thomas J Clarke, 75 Parnell Street, by John McGarry, followed by John O’Hurley, John Milroy, Charles J Kickham, Joseph Duggan, FJ McCabe and Michael O’Hanrahan.
The departure of John Neeson by train to Drogheda [County Louth] and Pierce McCann to Cashel [County Tipperary] is noted.
John O’Sullivan and Thomas McCarthy are observed together in Sackville Street [O’Connell Street].
A meeting in the office of the Irish Volunteers, 2 Dawson Street, is attended by Éamon de Valera, Michael O’Hanrahan, Thomas MacDonagh and Jeremiah Joseph O’Connell.
Details are provided of those in attendance at a meeting ‘under the auspices of the Gaelic League’ to protest against the withdrawal of grants for education in Ireland. The meeting was presided over by Eoin MacNeill and the Lord Mayors of both Dublin and Cork, along with a number of clergymen, were present on the platform.
A copy is included of the first issue of The Irishman, edited by Herbert M Pim.
The report concludes with details of hardware uncovered as a result of searches for arms at the North Wall, Dublin, between 8 January and 17 January 1916.
For the full report please see Dublin Metropolitan Police (DMP) Detective Department report on the movement of Dublin extremists on 17 January 1916.
Report of 19 January 1916
(NAI, CSO/JD/2/189)
The report of 19 January 1916 records visits to the shop of Thomas J Clarke, 75 Parnell Street, by Michael Foley, followed by John O’Hurley, Thomas McCarthy, Charles J Kickham, FJ McCabe, William O’Leary Curtis and Reverend E Sheehy.
The departure of Charles [Wyse] S Power by train to Clonmel [County Tipperary] and John O’Hurley to Limerick is noted.
A meeting in the office of the Irish Volunteers, 2 Dawson Street, is attended by Bulmer Hobson, Eimar O’Duffy, Michael O’Hanrahan, Herbert ‘Barney’ Mellows and Thomas MacDonagh.
A concert organised by Cumann na mBan is attended by around 800 people, including a number of individuals under surveillance.
The report concludes with a visit by Thomas Byrne to the shop of JJ Walsh, 26 Blessington Street.
For the full report please see Dublin Metropolitan Police (DMP) Detective Department report on the movement of Dublin extremists on 18 January 1916.
Report of 20 January 1916
(NAI, CSO/JD/2/190)
The report of 20 January 1916 records visits to the shop of Thomas J Clarke, 75 Parnell Street, by Con Colbert, followed by Joseph McGuinness, Herbert ‘Barney’ Mellows, Thomas McCarthy and Ben Parsons.
The departure of Joseph Murray by train to Dundalk [County Louth] is noted.
James Whelan is observed in 12 D’Olier Street.
A meeting in the office of the Irish Volunteers, 2 Dawson Street, is attended by JJ Walsh, AW Cotton, James O’Sullivan and Michael J O’Rahilly. O’Sullivan’s subsequent departure by train to Cork is noted.
A second meeting in the office of the Irish Volunteers later that evening is attended Eoin Mac Neill, Herbert ‘Barney’ Mellows, Eimar O’Duffy, Michael J O’Rahilly, Patrick H Pearse, Thomas MacDonagh, Joseph McGuinness, [James] O’Connor, Joseph Plunkett, Éamon de Valera, Seán MacDiarmada, Bulmer Hobson, Éamonn Ceannt, Jeremiah Joseph O’Connell, John Fitzgibbon, Piaras Béaslaí, Con Colbert, Thomas McCarthy and Thomas Hunter.
Hunter is described as ‘a Drapers assistant at Pims’, who is a captain in the Irish Volunteers.
Copies are included of the latest issues of New Ireland, Nationality, The Irish Volunteer, Honesty and The Hibernian.
For the full report please see Dublin Metropolitan Police (DMP) Detective Department report on the movement of Dublin extremists on 19 January 1916.
Report of 21 January 1916
(NAI, CSO/JD/2/191)
The report of 21 January 1916 records visits to the shop of Thomas J Clarke, 75 Parnell Street, by John McGarry and Joseph Murray, followed by John O’Mahony, James J Buggy, Piaras Béaslaí, Thomas McCarthy, Seán MacDiarmada, William O’Leary Curtis and JJ Farrelly.
A meeting in the office of the Irish Volunteers, 2 Dawson Street, is attended by Bulmer Hobson, Herbert ‘Barney’ Mellows, Michael O’Hanrahan, Michael J O’Rahilly, Thomas MacDonagh, Jeremiah Joseph O’Connell and Laurence Raul.
A second meeting later in the evening is again attended by O’Rahilly and Mellows, along with Patrick Ryan.
JJ Walsh is observed in his shop at 26 Blessington Street.
A copy is included of the latest issue of The Workers’ Republic.
For the full report please see Dublin Metropolitan Police (DMP) Detective Department report on the movement of Dublin extremists on 20 January 1916.
Report of 22 January 1916
(NAI, CSO/JD/2/192)
The report of 22 January 1916 records visits to the shop of Thomas J Clarke, 75 Parnell Street, by Piaras Béaslaí, followed by Seán MacDiarmada, John O’Mahony, John R Reynolds, John McGarry, Michael O’Hanrahan and FJ McCabe.
The departure of Joseph Murray by train to Tullamore [King’s County (County Offaly)] is noted.
A meeting in the office of the Irish Volunteers, 2 Dawson Street, is attended by Michael J O’Rahilly, Thomas MacDonagh, Joseph Plunkett, Herbert ‘Barney’ Mellows, Laurence Raul, Patrick Ryan and Piaras Béaslaí.
A second meeting later the same evening is attended by Éamon de Valera, Thomas Hunter, Joseph McGuinness, Michael O’Hanrahan, Jeremiah Joseph O’Connell, Con Colbert and Thomas MacDonagh.
JJ Walsh is observed in his shop at 26 Blessington Street.
The report concludes with details of those in attendance at a meeting at 41 Parnell Square, including Patrick H Pearse, George Irvine, [James] O’Connor, Seán MacDiarmada and William T Cosgrave.
A copy is included of the latest issue of The Spark.
For the full report please see Dublin Metropolitan Police (DMP) Detective Department report on the movement of Dublin extremists on 21 January 1916.
Report of 24 January 1916
(NAI, CSO/JD/2/193)
The report of 24 January 1916 records visits to the shop of Thomas J Clarke, 75 Parnell Street, on Saturday 22 January by Seán MacDiarmada, followed by Patrick Ryan, Piaras Béaslaí, Ben Parsons, Charles J Kickham, Joseph McGuinness, Frank Fahy, Diarmuid Lynch, John McGarry, Con colbert, Thomas McCarthy and Edward Daly. Clarke is visited on Sunday 22 January by MacDiarmada and McGarry a second time.
A meeting in the office of the Irish Volunteers, 2 Dawson Street, on Saturday is attended by Bulmer Hobson, Joseph Plunkett, John Fitzgibbon, Patrick Ryan, Eoin MacNeill, Thomas MacDonagh, Seán MacDiarmada, Thomas McCarthy, Eimar O’Duffy, Jeremiah Joseph O’Connell and Michael O’Hanrahan. O’Hanrahan and Plunkett are observed again on Sunday.
The departure of Jeremiah Joseph O’Connell by train to Cork and Joseph Murray to Drogheda [County Louth] is noted, as is the arrival of Denis McCullough from Belfast.
On Sunday, a meeting at 25 Parnell Square is attended by Arthur Griffith, Patrick Dowling, Diarmuid Lynch, Michael Foley, Joseph McGuinness, Edward Daly and Gerald Griffin.
JJ Walsh is observed in his shop at 26 Blessington Street.
The report concludes with details of the march of 210 members of the Irish Volunteers ‘110 of whom carried rifles’ towards Finglas under the command of Gerald Griffin, Piaras Béaslaí and FJ McCabe.
A report is included of searches for arms conducted at North Wall, Dublin, between 18 and 21 January 1916.
For the full report please see Dublin Metropolitan Police (DMP) Detective Department report on the movement of Dublin extremists on 22 and 23 January 1916.
Report of 25 January 1916
(NAI, CSO/JD/2/194)
The report of 25 January 1916 records visits to the shop of Thomas J Clarke, 75 Parnell Street, by Con Colbert, followed by Charles J Kickham, Diarmuid Lynch, Edward Daly, James J Buggy, MW O’Reilly and Joseph McGuinness.
The departure of Piaras Béaslaí by mail boat to Holyhead [Wales] and Denis McCullough by train to Belfast is noted.
Seán MacDiarmada and Diarmuid Lynch are observed together in 12 D’Olier Street.
A meeting in the office of the Irish Volunteers, 2 Dawson Street, is attended by Herbert ‘Barney’ Mellows, Michael J O’Rahilly, George Irvine and Patrick Ryan. A second meeting later in the evening is attended by Thomas MacDonagh, Éamon de Valera, Éamonn Duggan, William T Cosgrave and Con Colbert.
The arrival of Alfred Monaghan by train from Crossdoney [County Cavan] is noted.
The report concludes with details of the drilling of 55 members of the Irish Volunteers in the hall of 41 Parnell Square in the presence of FJ McCabe, Charles J Kickham and Seán MacDiarmada.
An annotation on the report asks ‘The Police have not yet reported service on D [Diarmuid] Lynch on the Home Secretary’s order’. A further annotation asks ‘Ch Commr [Chief Commissioner] Has it been served? To which a reply given on the 27 January 1916 states ‘The Under Secretary, Yes’.
For the full report please see Dublin Metropolitan Police (DMP) Detective Department report on the movement of Dublin extremists on 24 January 1916.
Report of 27 January 1916
(NAI, CSO/JD/2/195)
The report of 27 January 1916 records visits to the shop of Thomas J Clarke, 75 Parnell Street, by John McGarry, followed by Con Colbert, Piaras Béaslaí, Joseph McGuinness, John R Reynolds and Ben Parsons. Béaslaí had arrived earlier in the day at Kingstown [Dún Laoghaire] on a boat from Holyhead [Wales].
The departure of Joseph Murray by train to Ardee [County Louth] is noted.
A meeting in the office of the Irish Volunteers, 2 Dawson Street, is attended by Eoin MacNeill, James Connolly, Laurence Raul, Michael J O’Rahilly, Joseph Plunkett, Herbert ‘Barney’ Mellows and Eimar O’Duffy. A second meeting later the same evening is again attended by Raul, O’Rahilly and Plunkett, along with Fenton Lynch, Gerald Griffin, Frank Fahy, Piaras Béaslaí, Thomas MacDonagh, Éamonn Ceannt, Patrick H Pearse, Joseph McGuinness, Thomas Hunter, William Sheehan and Edward Daly.
JJ Walsh is observed in his shop at 26 Blessington Street.
Copies are included of the latest issues of The Irish Volunteer, Nationality, Honesty and New Ireland.
For the full report please see Dublin Metropolitan Police (DMP) Detective Department report on the movement of Dublin extremists on 26 January 1916.
Report of 28 January 1916
(NAI, CSO/JD/2/196)
The report of 28 January 1916 records visits to the shop of Thomas J Clarke, 75 Parnell Street, by Francis Sheehy-Skeffington, followed by John McGarry, Joseph McGuinness, Edward Daly, Seán MacDiarmada, Diarmuid Lynch, Piaras Béaslaí and John O’Mahony.
A meeting in the office of the Irish Volunteers, 2 Dawson Street, is attended by Michael J O’Rahilly, Bulmer Hobson, Diarmuid Lynch, Eimar O’Duffy, Laurence Raul, Herbert ‘Barney’ Mellows and Alfred Monaghan.
The report concludes with details of the assembly of around 40 members of the Irish Volunteers ‘without rifles’ and their route march towards Phibsborough under the command of Joseph McGuinness and John Milroy.
A copy is included of the latest issue of The Workers’ Republic. A note states The Hibernian ‘usually on sale on Thursday morning, has not so far been published’.
For the full report please see Dublin Metropolitan Police (DMP) Detective Department report on the movement of Dublin extremists on 27 January 1916.
Report of 29 January 1916
(NAI, CSO/JD/2/197)
The report of 29 January 1916 records visits to the shop of Thomas J Clarke, 75 Parnell Street, by Joseph McGuinness, followed by Francis Sheehy-Skeffington, Piaras Béaslaí, Patrick Ryan, Thomas Byrne, Joseph Murray, Edward Daly, William Sheehan, Seán MacDiarmada, Charles J Kickham and John R Reynolds.
A meeting in the office of the Irish Volunteers, 2 Dawson Street, is attended by Bulmer Hobson, Michael O’Hanrahan, Herbert ‘Barney’ Mellows, Eimar O’Duffy, Michael J O’Rahilly and JJ Walsh. Edward Daly and Seán MacDiarmada are reported in the same location later on in the evening.
Diarmuid Lynch is observed in Sackville Street [O’Connell Street].
Around 35 members of the Irish Volunteers are drilled in the hall at the back of 41 Parnell Square in the presence of Thomas J Clarke and John R Reynolds. An annotation on the report states ‘JR [John R] Reynolds who was at the Irish Vol. drill with TJ Clarke is the man to whom we recently refused a passport’.
The report concludes with details of the decision by the Irish Transport Workers’ Union to surrender Croydon Park, Fairview, the residence of James Larkin, to the landlord Mr Picton Bradshaw. ‘Mrs Larkin left the place in December last and is said to be living in Liverpool’.
A copy is included of the latest issue of The Spark.
For the full report please see Dublin Metropolitan Police (DMP) Detective Department report on the movement of Dublin extremists on 28 January 1916.
Report of 31 January 1916
(NAI, CSO/JD/2/198)
The report of 31 January 1916 records visits to the shop of Thomas J Clarke, 75 Parnell Street, on Saturday 29 January by John McGarry, followed by Charles J Kickham, Joseph Murray, Edward Daly, Michael McGinn, William Ryan, Seán MacDiarmada, Reverend E Sheehy and James J Buggy. On Sunday 30 January, Clarke is visited by MacDiarmada, Buggy, Daly and McGarry again, along with Bulmer Hobson, James Stritch, Patrick Ryan, Ben Parsons, John R Reynolds, FJ McCabe and Piaras Béaslaí.
A meeting in the office of the Irish Volunteers, 2 Dawson Street, on Saturday, is attended by Bulmer Hobson, John Fitzgibbon, Herbert ‘Barney’ Mellows, George Irvine, Thomas MacDonagh, Eimar O’Duffy, Michael O’Hanrahan and Michael J O’Rahilly.
Seán MacDiarmada and Diarmuid Lynch are observed together in D’Olier Street. MacDiarmada is later seen in the company of Frank Fahy and Thomas MacDonagh in the office of the Irish Volunteers, 2 Dawson Street.
The arrival of Pierce McCann by train from Thurles [County Tipperary] is noted.
James Connolly and Countess Markievicz are observed departing Liberty Hall accompanied by ten members of the Citizen Army ‘carrying rifles’.
The report concludes with a visit to the shop of JJ Walsh, 26 Blessington Street, by Thomas Byrne.
A report is included of searches for arms carried out by police at the North Wall, Dublin, between 25 and 29 January 1916.
For the full report please see Dublin Metropolitan Police (DMP) Detective Department report on the movement of Dublin extremists on 29 and 30 January 1916.
