A journal and autograph book that provides a unique insight into life and conditions at Frongoch prisoner of war camp, where an estimated 1,800 Irish participants of The Easter Rising were interned between June and December 1916, has been acquired at auction by Clare Museum.
Belonging to IRA Volunteer and future Clare T.D. Patrick Brennan, from Meelick, the album features accounts of life in the North Wales camp, poetry in Irish and English, and coloured illustrations of the camp and its inhabitants.
The journal is also autographed by many of the camp’s prisoners including Michael Collins and Richard Mulcahy, who would later become instrumental figures in the ensuing Irish War of Independence and the establishment of the Irish Free State.
“Outside of the author’s historic connections with County Clare, this journal and autograph book is hugely important considering the upcoming centenary of the 1916 Rising and the significant influence of the Frongoch camp experience on the future leaders of the Irish War of Independence,” commented *Cllr. John Crowe, Cathaoirleach of Clare County Council*.
The Cathaoirleach added: “As a native of Sixmilebridge in East Clare, I have long known about the contribution of Patrick Brennan from nearby Meelick during the struggle for Irish freedom and subsequently as a politician, including as a TD for Clare (1921-22, 1922-23). I warmly welcome the acquisition of this book which serves as a timely and poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by Irish men and women for their country.”
The book, which is expected to go on public display before Christmas, was successfully acquired at Whyte’s auction house on Saturday for €5,000 by *Clare County Librarian Helen Walsh*, acting on behalf of Clare Museum.
Ms. Walsh explained: “I viewed the book in Whytes ahead of the weekend auction and deemed it of great value and significance for County Clare. It is beautifully illustrated in parts with water colour drawings of the camp, poetry in Irish and English, and numerous signatures of note. It also contains an artwork by Cathal Mac Dubhgall featuring the words “Fianna Fáil”, which was an alternative Irish language translation for the title of the rebel Irish Volunteers. The name was later adopted by Eamon de Valera’s political party some ten years later.”
“We anticipate that the journal and autograph book will be placed on public display at Clare Museum in Ennis before Christmas. We are also arranging to have the document digitised so as to allow people to view its contents online at clarelibrary.ie,” added Ms. Walsh.
Meanwhile, Ms. Walsh acknowledged Cratloe-based Councillor Cathal Crowe who informed Clare County Council that the book was being auctioned at Whytes, and would be a historically significant acquisition for Clare Museum.
Patrick Brennan was one of the Irish Volunteer leaders in Clare at the time of the 1916 Rising and was interned at Frongoch in June 1916 by the British Army because of his Republican activities.
On his release shortly before Christmas 1916, Brennan became leader of the 1917 Volunteer campaign in Clare which ultimately led to the
Mountjoy Hunger Strike of September 1917, the martyrdom of Tomás Ashe and the consolidation of republican sentiment across the country.
Brennan took part in the Cratloe Ambush of January 1921 and some other military actions but became more important as a political figure from the Anglo-Irish Truce of July 11, 1921. Patrick was later elected TD (pro-treaty) for East Clare and was central the development of the
Civic Guard (later An Garda Síochána).
A native of Ennis, Colin McGann has been editor of The Clare Champion since August 2020. Former editor of The Clare People, he is a journalism and communications graduate of Dublin Institute of Technology.