Chief Secretary’s Office, Crime Branch: Dublin Metropolitan Police (DMP) Movement of Extremists November 1915
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.
Report of 1 November 1915
(NAI, CSO/JD/2/124)
The report of 1 November 1915 records visits to the shop of Thomas J Clarke, 75 Parnell Street, on Saturday 30 October by Seán MacDiarmada, MW O’Reilly, Patrick Hughes, William O’Leary Curtis, Arthur Griffith and [Joseph] Murray.
The arrival of numerous individuals at various Dublin train stations is noted. Their subsequent attendance at the Annual Convention of the Irish Volunteers , which was held on Sunday 31 October 1915, in the Abbey Theatre is also reported.
Details are provided of the assembly of around 1000 members of the Irish Volunteers ‘700 of whom carried rifles’ at 41 Parnell Square and their march ‘via Sackville Street [O’Connell Street] to Abbey Street…where they were reviewed by the leading members of the Convention’.
A brief description is given of the proceedings of the convention, which was attended by 120 delegates ‘from Dublin and other parts of the country’.
An annotation on the report asks ‘cannot we get a better report than this of such a well attended meeting’.
For the full report please see Dublin Metropolitan Police (DMP) Detective Department report on the movement of Dublin extremists on 30 and 31 October 1915.
Report of 2 November 1915
(NAI, CSO/JD/2/125)
The report of 2 November 1915 records visits to the shop of Thomas J Clarke, 75 Parnell Street, by James Leddan, John McGarry, Ben Parsons, Ernest Blythe, Mrs Desmond Fitzgerald [Mabel] and Seán MacDiarmada. It is noted Clarke was present in the shop ‘at 12 noon but afterwards was not observed in the place’.
A meeting in the office of the Irish Volunteers, 2 Dawson Street, is attended by Diarmuid Lynch, T Barry, Terence J McSwiney, William Roche, [James] O’Sullivan, Patrick Hughes and [Eimar] O’Duffy.
AW Cotton is observed in the company of Terence J McSwiney at Abbey Street.
The departure from Dublin of a number of individuals to various locations throughout Ireland is noted.
A report is given of a meeting, held in the Mansion House, in support of the Irish language movement. The meeting was presided over by Eoin MacNeill and was attended by a number of high profile individuals. It is reported the meeting was disrupted by a number of those in attendance who questioned Alderman [Alfie] Byrne about ‘his action in the Corporation respecting Kuno Meyer [German academic of Celtic language and literature]’.
The report concludes with details of the planned Mitchel Centenary Commemoration to be held in the Antient Concert Rooms, Great Brunswick Street [Pearse Street] on the 4 November 1915. The oration is to be given by Patrick H Pearse.
For the full report, please see Dublin Metropolitan Police (DMP) Detective Department report on the movement of Dublin extremists on 1 November 1915.
Report of 3 November 1915
(NAI, CSO/JD/2/126)
The first report of 3 November 1915 records visits to the shop of Thomas J Clarke, 75 Parnell Street, by [James] O’Connor, Charles J Kickham, Thomas Byrne, FJ McCabe, TJ Sheehan and William O’Leary Curtis.
A meeting in the office of the Irish Volunteers, 2 Dawson Street, is attended by Herbert ‘Barney’ Mellows, Patrick Ryan, Michael O’Hanrahan and Terence J McSwiney. The attendance of HJ Grant of Lawler and Son, gun dealers, Fownes Street, is highlighted and an annotation pointing to the fact states ‘Major Price’.
Arthur Griffith is observed in Sackville Street [O’Connell Street] and James M Sullivan is observed in St Stephen’s Green.
The departure is noted of AW Cotton to Tralee [County Kerry], Pierce McCann to Thurles [County Tipperary] and Terence J McSwiney to Cork.
The report concludes with details of the delivery of ‘two cases, each containing 25 Italian rifles, and 25 bayonets’ to John Redmond at 44 Parnell Square. An annotation on the report states ‘seen + noted for information of G.O.C.’.
Copies are included of The Hibernian and Honesty. It is noted The Hibernian includes ‘a report of the proceedings of the Irish Volunteer Convention’.
For the full report, please see Dublin Metropolitan Police (DMP) Detective Department report on the movement of Dublin extremists on 2 November 1915.
Report of 3 November 1915 - Special Report on the Annual Convention of Irish Volunteers
(NAI, CSO/JD/2/127)
The second report of 3 November 1915 is a special report on the proceedings of the Annual Convention of the Irish Volunteers.
The report is in response to a request for further detail in the report of 1 November 1915.
It provides details of the organisation of the event, including the placing of ‘Sinn Fein Volunteers in uniform, with rifles and fixed bayonets’ at the entrance to prevent unauthorised entry.
Details are given of the proceedings and main speeches, and the pseudonym of Herbert M Pim [A Newman] is noted.
The report concludes with ‘one of the most striking features in connection with the Convention’, the march of 1000 members of the Irish Volunteers, including 700 with rifles, past the Abbey Theatre where they were reviewed by Eoin MacNeill, Patrick H Pearse ‘and other prominent members of the Irish Volunteers’.
For the full report please see Dublin Metropolitan Police (DMP) Detective Department report on the Annual Convention of the Irish Volunteers.
Report of 4 November 1915
(NAI, CSO/JD/2/128)
The report of 4 November 1915 records visits to the shop of Thomas J Clarke, 75 Parnell Street, by Piaras Béaslaí and Diarmuid Lynch, followed by Thomas Byrne and Joseph McGuinness, John McGarry, Edward Daly and Charles J Kickham.
Thomas J Clarke and Diarmuid Lynch are observed in D’Olier Street.
The departure of Ernest Blythe by train to Cashel [County Tipperary] is noted.
JJ Walsh is observed in his shop at 26 Blessington Street.
A meeting in the office of the Irish Volunteers, 2 Dawson Street, is attended by Eoin MacNeill, Michael J O’Rahilly, Thomas MacDonagh, James O’Connor, Herbert ‘Barney’ Mellows, George Irvine, Éamon De Valera and Michael O’Hanrahan.
A copy is included of The Irish Volunteer. An annotation on the report states ‘Please see the “official” report of the meeting of the Convention of Irish Volunteers’.
For the full report please see Dublin Metropolitan Police (DMP) Detective Department report on the movement of Dublin extremists on 3 November 1915.
Report of 5 November 1915
(NAI, CSO/JD/2/129)
The report of 5 November 1915 records visits to the shop of Thomas J Clarke, 75 Parnell Street, by John McGarry, followed by Con Colbert, Thomas Byrne, Charles J Kickham and MW O’Reilly.
A report is provided of events to mark the centenary of the birth of John Mitchel. The event, which was not very well attended, included an oration by Patrick H Pearse.
Copies are included of The Workers’ Republic and Nationality ‘both of which contain notes an an anti-British character’. Two copies are also included of the pamphlet No. 8 Series of tracts for the Times by A. Newman [pseudonym of Herbert H Pim].
An annotation on the report states ‘Private Secy [Private Secretary] Vice Regal Lodge H.E. [His Excellency] may like to look at these papers’.
For the full report please see Dublin Metropolitan Police (DMP) Detective Department report on the movement of Dublin extremists on 4 November 1915.
Report of 6 November 1915
(NAI, CSO/JD/2/130)
The report of 6 November 1915 records visits to the shop of Thomas J Clarke, 75 Parnell Street, by Con Colbert, followed by Herbert ‘Barney’ Mellows, Edward Daly, MW O’Reilly, Charles J Kickham, Thomas Byrne, Diarmuid Lynch and TJ Sheehan.
A meeting in the office of the Irish Volunteers, 2 Dawson Street, is attended by Jeremiah Joseph O’Connell, Michael O’Hanrahan and Eimar O’Duffy.
JJ Walsh is observed in his shop at 26 Blessington Street.
A meeting at 41 Parnell Square is attended by Thomas J Clarke, Charles J Kickham, MW O’Reilly, James J Buggy and James Stritch.
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 5 November 1915.
Report of 8 November 1915
(NAI, CSO/JD/2/131)
The report of 8 November 1915 records visits to the shop of Thomas J Clarke, 75 Parnell Street, on Saturday 6 by Thomas Byrne, followed by Seán T Ó Ceallaigh, Michael O’Hanrahan, James J Buggy, Diarmuid Lynch, Con Collins and Patrick O’Keeffe. The names of Collins and O’Keeffe, who are both employed in the General Post Office [GPO], are highlighted in the report. Clarke was visited on Sunday 7 by Thomas Byrne and Ben Parsons.
The arrival of a number of individuals by train from various locations around the country is noted on Saturday and Sunday, including Alderman James Nowlan from Kilkenny and William P Partridge from Cork.
The football final between Kerry and Wexford at Croke Park is attended by 30,000 spectators, including a number of those under surveillance.
The report concludes with details of the departure from Dublin of TJ Barry to Cork, Michael Brennan to Roscommon, JR Etchingham to Gorey [County Wexford] and James Nowlan to Kilkenny.
For the full report please see Dublin Metropolitan Police (DMP) Detective Department report on the movement of Dublin extremists on 6 and 7 November 1915.
Report of 9 November 1915
(NAI, CSO/JD/2/132)
The report of 9 November 1915 records visits to the shop of Thomas J Clarke, 75 Parnell Street, by Con Colbert, followed by FJ McCabe, Thomas Byrne, John McGarry, Seán T Ó Ceallaigh and Diarmuid Lynch.
The departure of James Nichols to Galway and Thomas Kenny to Athenry [County Galway] is noted.
The arrival of Francis J Biggar from Belfast, and his return later the same day, is also mentioned.
The departure of Joseph Melinn, James McDonnell and E O’Connor by train to Tralee [County Kerry] and Patrick Thomas Daly to Sligo is noted.
A meeting of the Keating Branch of the Gaelic League, 18 North Frederick Street, is attended by Joseph McGuinness, Eimar O’Duffy and Hugh O’Hehir.
For the full report please see Dublin Metropolitan Police (DMP) Detective Department report on the movement of Dublin extremists on 8 November 1915.
Report of 10 November 1915
(NAI, CSO/JD/2/133)
The report of 10 November 1915 records visits to the shop of Thomas J Clarke, 75 Parnell Street, Joseph McGuinness and Joseph Murray, followed by James O’Connor, Seán T Ó Ceallaigh, MW O’Reilly, Seán MacDiarmada and Diarmuid Lynch.
James A Brennan and James Stritch meet in 41 Parnell Square.
JJ Walsh is observed in his shop at 26 Blessington Street.
Copies are included of the latest issues of The Hibernian and Honesty.
For the full report please see Dublin Metropolitan Police (DMP) Detective Department report on the movement of Dublin extremists on 9 November 1915.
Report of 11 November 1915
(NAI, CSO/JD/2/134)
The report of 11 November 1915 records visits to the shop of Thomas J Clarke, 75 Parnell Street, by Con Colbert, followed by Piaras Béaslaí, Thomas Byrne, FJ McCabe and John McGarry.
Con Collins and Patrick O’Keeffe, both of whom are employed in the GPO [General Post Office], are observed together in Sackville Street [O’Connell Street].
Thomas Byrne is reported in conversation with JJ Walsh in his shop at 26 Blessington Street.
The arrival of Liam Mellows by train from Gorey [County Wexford] and the departure of James O’Sullivan ‘Organiser Irish Volunteers’ to Mullingar [County Westmeath] is noted.
Arthur Griffith is observed in Kildare Street.
A copy is included of the latest issue of The Irish Volunteer ‘which contains the usual notes on the front page by the Editor Mr John McNeill [Eoin MacNeill].
For the full report please see Dublin Metropolitan Police (DMP) Detective Department report on the movement of Dublin extremists on 10 November 1915.
Report of 12 November 1915
(NAI, CSO/JD/2/135)
The report of 12 November 1915 records visits to the shop of Thomas J Clarke, 75 Parnell Street, by Diarmuid Lynch, followed by Con Colbert and Thomas Byrne, Piaras Béaslaí, FJ McCabe, Joseph McGuinness and Michael O’Hanrahan.
Herbert ‘Barney’ Mellows and Michael O’Hanrahan are reported in the office of the Irish Volunteers, 2 Dawson Street.
The departure by train of Diarmuid Lynch to Belfast is noted.
Jeremiah Joseph O’Connell is observed in Sackville Street [O’Connell Street].
The arrival of Patrick Thomas Daly from Sligo is noted.
A meeting is reported between Arthur Griffith and Piaras Béaslaí in the Ship Hotel, Abbey Street.
A copy is included of the lastest 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 11 November 1915.
Report of 13 November 1915
(NAI, CSO/JD/2/136)
The report of 13 November 1915 records visits to the shop of Thomas J Clarke, 75 Parnell Street, by Seán T Ó Ceallaigh, James J Buggy, William O’Leary Curtis and Thomas Byrne.
A meeting in the office of the Irish Volunteers, 2 Dawson Street, is attended by Michael O’Hanrahan, Herbert ‘Barney’ Mellows, Eimar O’Duffy and Jeremiah Joseph O’Connell.
The departure of William P Partridge by train to Cork and Denis McCullough to Belfast is noted.
Con Collins and Patrick O’Keeffe are observed in the Ship Hotel, Abbey Street, while JJ Walsh is monitored in his shop at 26 Blessington Street.
Copies are included of the latest issues of Nationality and The Spark ‘both of which contain some notes of an anti-British character’.
For the full report please see Dublin Metropolitan Police (DMP) Detective Department report on the movement of Dublin extremists on 12 November 1915.
Report of 16 November 1915
(NAI, CSO/JD/2/137)
The report of 16 November 1915 records visits to the shop of Thomas J Clarke, 75 Parnell Street, by James Whelan, followed by Diarmuid Lynch, Seán T Ó Ceallaigh, Seán MacDiarmada, Con Colbert, Michael Foley, Piaras Béaslaí, James J Buggy, Joseph Murray, Charles Wyse Power and Charles J Kickham.
A meeting in the office of the Irish Volunteers, 2 Dawson Street, is attended by Pierce McCann, Bulmer Hobson, Herbert ‘Barney’ Mellows, Michael O’Hanrahan, Patrick Ryan, Jeremiah Joseph O’Connell, Eimar O’Duffy and Diarmuid Lynch. Later that evening, Mellows, O’Hanrahan and Éamonn Ceannt are observed at the same location.
The arrival of Michael J O’Rahilly by train from Athenry [County Galway] is noted, as is the departure of Pierce McCann to Thurles [County Tipperary].
Seán MacDiarmada, James Stritch and Thomas Byrne are observed at 41 Parnell Square.
The report concludes with a note informing the authorities in Dublin Castle of a demonstration to mark the anniversary of the Manchester Martyrs which is planned for the following Sunday at Glasnevin Cemetary.
For the full report please see Dublin Metropolitan Police (DMP) Detective Department report on the movement of Dublin extremists on 15 November 1915.
Report of 17 November 1915
(NAI, CSO/JD/2/138)
The report of 17 November 1915 records visits to the shop of Thomas J Clarke, 75 Parnell Street, by Diarmuid Lynch and Michael McGinn, followed by Thomas Byrne, Seán MacDiarmada, Piaras Béaslaí, MW O’Reilly and William O’Leary Curtis.
Bulmer Hobson and Michael O’Hanrahan are observed in the office of the Irish Volunteers, 2 Dawson Street, while JJ Walsh is reported to have visited James Whelan in his shop at 17 Ormond Quay.
The departure of Diarmuid Lynch by train to Cork is noted.
Copies are included of the latest issues of The Hibernian and Honesty‘each of which contain notes of an anti-British character’.
For the full report please see Dublin Metropolitan Police (DMP) Detective Department report on the movement of Dublin extremists on 16 November 1915.
Report of 19 November 1915
(NAI, CSO/JD/2/139)
The report of 19 November 1915 records visits to the shop of Thomas J Clarke, 75 Parnell Street, by John McGarry, followed by Thomas Byrne, William Sheehan, Edward Daly, Piaras Béaslaí, Michael Foley and Seán T Ó Ceallaigh.
A meeting in the office of the Irish Volunteers, 2 Dawson Street, is attended by Bulmer Hobson, Liam Mellows, Jeremiah Joseph O’Connell, Michael O’Hanrahan and JJ Walsh.
The departure of Liam Mellows by train en route to Carrick-on-Shannon [County Leitrim] is noted.
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 19 November 1915.
Report of 20 November 1915
(NAI, CSO/JD/2/140)
The report of 20 November 1915 records visits to the shop of Thomas J Clarke, 75 Parnell Street, by Piaras Béaslaí, followed by Thomas Byrne, Con Colbert, John McGarry, Seán T Ó Ceallaigh, Michael Foley and MW O’Reilly.
Thomas J Clarke is observed in D’Olier Street.
Bulmer Hobson is noted in the office of the Irish Volunteers, 2 Dawson Street. He is followed later in the evening by Éamon De Valera and Michael O’Hanrahan.
A meeting at 41 Parnell Square is attended by Thomas J Clarke, James Stritch, John McGarry and Thomas Byrne.
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 19 November 1915.
Report of 22 November 1915
(NAI, CSO/JD/2/141)
The report of 22 November 1915 records visits to the shop of Thomas J Clarke, 75 Parnell Street, on Saturday 20 November by Con Colbert, followed by Michael O’Hanrahan, FJ McCabe, William J Ryan, John McGarry, MW O’Reilly, William O’Leary Curtis and Piaras Béaslaí.
Michael O’Hanrahan and MJ O’Reilly are observed in the office of the Irish Volunteers, 2 Dawson Street. Later in the evening, a meeting in the same location is attended by Eoin MacNeill, Thomas MacDonagh, Éamon De Valera, Éamonn Ceannt, Con Colbert, Seán MacDiarmada and Herbert ‘Barney’ Mellows.
The departure of John Milroy by train to Dundalk is noted.
It is reported the ‘Allen, Larkin and O’Brien Anniversary [Manchester Martyrs] took place yesterday. Special report being furnished’. It is observed that Thomas J Clarke, Michael J O’Rahilly and Seán MacDiarmada were present at St Stephen’s Green ‘when the procession in connection with the foregoing was being formed, but they were not seen to take any Official part in the proceedings’.
The report concludes with details of those in attendance at a meeting at 41 Parnell Square, including a number of named individuals as well as ‘some 300 Irish Volunteers in uniform and a few ladies’. An address was given to the meeting by Seán MacDiarmada on the subject of the Manchester Martyrs.
For the full report please see Dublin Metropolitan Police (DMP) Detective Department report on the movement of Dublin extremists on 20 and 21 November 1915.
Report of 23 November 1915
(NAI, CSO/JD/2/142)
The report of 23 November 1915 records visits to the shop of Thomas J Clarke, 75 Parnell Street, by Joseph McGuinness and Con Colbert, followed by John McGarry, Michael O’Hanrahan, Joseph Murray, Seán MacDiarmada and Thomas Byrne. MacDiarmada and Byrne left in the company of Clarke and went to the Mansion House [to attend the commemoration meeting of the Manchester Martyrs].
Bulmer Hobson, Michael J O’Rahilly and Eimar O’Duffy are observed in the office of the Irish Volunteers, 2 Dawson Street.
The arrival of Herbert M Pim by train from Belfast is noted.
The report concludes with details of a meeting to commemorate the Manchester Martyrs, which was held in the Round Room of the Mansion House. The attendance by around 1,000 individuals, including a number of those under surveillance, is noted. The meeting was presided over by Eoin MacNeill and addressed by Bulmer Hobson.
For the full report please see Dublin Metropolitan Police (DMP) Detective Department report on the movement of Dublin extremists on 22 November 1915.
Report of 25 November 1915
(NAI, CSO/JD/2/143)
The report of 25 November 1915 records visits to the shop of Thomas J Clarke, 75 Parnell Street, by John McGarry, followed by William J Ryan, Thomas Byrne, James J Buggy, FJ McCabe, William O’Leary Curtis and Seán T Ó Ceallaigh.
The return to Dublin is noted of Seán MacDiarmada from Gowran [County Kilkenny], Piaras Béaslaí from Crossdoney [County Cavan], Michael J O’Rahilly from Strabane [County Tyrone] and Thomas Byrne from Carrickmacross [County Monaghan].
A meeting in the office of the Irish Volunteers, 2 Dawson Street, is attended by Eoin MacNeill, Bulmer Hobson, James O’Connor, Michael J O’Rahilly, Con Colbert, Herbert ‘Barney’ Mellows, John Fitzgibbon, Patrick Ryan, [Mark] Ryan, Thomas MacDonagh, Patrick H Pearse, Joseph Plunkett and Éamon De Valera. ‘Some thirty Boy Scouts with miniature rifles were on the premises during the time’.
Copies of the latest issues of Nationality and The Irish Volunteermentioned in the report are not present. A note attached states they have been sent to Mr Henry at his request.
For the full report please see Dublin Metropolitan Police (DMP) Detective Department report on the movement of Dublin extremists on 24 November 1915.
Report of 26 November 1915
(CSO/JD/2/144)
The report of 26 November 1915 records visits to the shop of Thomas J Clarke, 75 Parnell Street, by Thomas Byrne, followed by Con Colbert, MW O’Reilly, William O’Leary Curtis and Michael O’Hanrahan.
The movements of a number of individuals are noted, including Herbert ‘Barney’ Mellows in the office of the Irish Volunteers, 2 Dawson Street; Henry Dixon and Éamonn Ceannt together in College Green; Thomas Byrne in the shop of JJ Walsh at 26 Blessington Street; and Seán T Ó Ceallaigh and Thomas J Clarke together in D’Olier Street.
The arrival of Herbert M Pim from Waterford is noted.
The report concludes with details of the assembly of around ’40 Sinn Fein Volunteers’ who were drilled in the hall at the back of 41 Parnell Square.
A copy of the latest issue of The Workers’ Republic referred to in the report is not present. An annotation on the report states ‘This issue of the The Workers’ Republic is about the worst that has appeared’. In response, it is stated ‘The Chief Secy [Secretary] would be glad if you would bring this & other reports as to these anti-recruiting papers with you’. The final page of the report lists the papers sent to the Chief Secretary, in response to this request.
For the full report please see Dublin Metropolitan Police (DMP) Detective Department report on the movement of Dublin extremists on 25 November 1915.
Report of 27 November 1915
(CSO/JD/2/145)
The report of 27 November 1915 records visits to the shop of Thomas J Clarke, 75 Parnell Street, by Herbert M Pim, Thomas Byrne, John McGarry and Con Colbert, followed by John O’Mahony, Joseph Murray and Ben Parsons.
Seán MacDiarmada is observed in D’Olier Street.
A meeting in the office of the Irish Volunteers, 2 Dawson Street, is attended by Bulmer Hobson, Herbert ‘Barney’ Mellows, Herbert M Pim, Charles J Kickham, Con Colbert and Patrick Ryan. Later that evening, a second meeting is attended by Michael J O’Rahilly, Edward Daly, Seán MacDiarmada, James O’Connor and Michael O’Hanrahan.
Thomas J Clarke, MW O’Reilly and John McGarry are observed in 41 Parnell Square.
A copy of the latest issue of The Spark referred to in the report is not present. An annotation states ‘detached for US [Under Secretary]’.
For the full report please see Dublin Metropolitan Police (DMP) Detective Department report on the movement of Dublin extremists on 26 November 1915.
Report of 29 November 1915
(CSO/JD/2/146)
The report of 29 November 1915 records visits to the shop of Thomas J Clarke, 75 Parnell Street, on Saturday 27 November by Con Colbert and Joseph McGuinness, followed by Thomas Byrne, Charles S Power, Michael Foley and John McGarry. On Sunday 28 November, Clarke is visited by McGarry and McGuinness a second time, along with Ben Parsons.
Major John McBride and Éamonn Ceannt are observed together in Dame Street.
A meeting in the office of the Irish Volunteers, 2 Dawson Street, is attended by Bulmer Hobson, Herbert ‘Barney’ Mellows, Michael J O’Rahilly, Michael O’Hanrahan and Herbert M Pim. Following this meeting, Pim departs by train for Cork in the company of Seán MacDiarmada. Later the same evening, a second meeting is attended by Éamonn Ceannt, Con Colbert, Patrick Ryan, Edward Daly, George Irvine and John Fitzgibbon.
The arrival of JP Connolly by train from Belfast is noted.
Gerald Griffin is observed in the company of JJ Walsh in his shop at 26 Blessington Street.
The arrival of John Milroy by train from Dundalk is noted.
The report concludes with details of the attendance by James A Brennan at a meeting in the Theatre Royal addressed by H Bottomley [Horatio Bottomley, editor of John Bull and propagandist].
For the full report please see Dublin Metropolitan Police (DMP) Detective Department report on the movement of Dublin extremists on 27 and 28 November 1915.
Report of 30 November 1915
(CSO/JD/2/147)
The report of 30 November 1915 records visits to the shop of Thomas J Clarke, 75 Parnell Street, by Frank Fahy, followed by John McGarry, Thomas Byrne, Seán T Ó Ceallaigh, James J Buggy, Michael Foley, Piaras Béaslaí and Charles S Power.
A meeting in the office of the Irish Volunteers, 2 Dawson Street, is attended by Michael J O’Rahilly, Bulmer Hobson, Herbert ‘Barney’ Mellows, Patrick Ryan and John McGarry. Later that evening, a second meeting is attended by Éamon De Valera, Eimar O’Duffy and Thomas McDonagh.
The arrival of PJ O’Farrell by train from Limerick and Herbert M Pim from Cork is noted. Pim subsequently travelled on to Newry [County Down].
For the full report please see Dublin Metropolitan Police (DMP) Detective Department report on the movement of Dublin extremists on 29 November 1915.
