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The collection was previously partially and provisionally catalogued and it is unknown whether this arrangement was based on the original order of the collection. For the present list, a new arrangement was made, however the overall order was kept where possible.
CONTENT AND STRUCTURE
Scope and Content Personal archive of politician, Irish language activist, and writer, Liam de Róiste T.D. Includes personal records and correspondence, and records and ephemera of various organisations in which de Róiste officiated or was a member. Section A: Diaries/Journals and Memoirs 1902-1947 contain extensive commentary on current affairs, responses to events, and personal reflections, on numerous topics. It will be noted that no diaries are present from Jun 1910 to Nov 1914, Jan to Aug 1917 or Jan 1930 to May 1945. (Other topic-specific memoirs are also present in other sections of the collection such as U271/F/9). Section B: Cork Celtic Literary Society 1900-c1910 includes a large series of its manuscript journal ‘Éire Óg’ revealing the thinking of De Rósite and other founding members of the radical separatist cultural and political movement then developing. Much criticism is made in the journal of British rule in Ireland and its supporters. The Cork Exhibition 1905, is, for example described as ‘anti-Irish’ (B/4/19). De Róiste’s friendship and alliance with Terence MacSwiney is revealed in a 1907 letter, ‘We have fought many a good fight side by side, if we have not always seen eye to eye. And I hope we will yet share in many a victory together’ (U271/B/6/7). The CCLS appears to have become/been a branch of the national organisation Conradh na Gaeilge/the Gaelic League. Section C: Gaelic League 1893-1918. De Róiste was at times Chairman and Secretary of the Cork branch of the national Gaelic League which appears to have succeeded the Cork Celtic Literary Society. The material in this section mainly regards the promotion and teaching of the Irish language and Irish culture. Present, for example, is a list of National Schools in Cork teaching Irish in c1915 (U271/C/5/9) and correspondence with Cork Corporation officials about street naming in Irish (U271/C/1/C). Section D: Sinn Féin 1906-1918. This section documents Sinn Féin from its earlier years up to its major political victories in 191,7 and in the 1918 General Election. A Dec 1917 letter from Bishop Daniel Coholan refers to possible violence on the streets with the visit of
Liam de Róiste Descriptive List. © Cork City and County Archives Service 2026
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