Liam de Róiste Papers Descriptive List Ref. U271

Liam de Róiste TD was an Irish revolutionary period nationalist politician and writer who was also active in Irish language and cultural circles. His archive comprises over 2000 unique items and is held by the Cork City and County Archives Service.

Cork City and County Archives Service

Descriptive List of the Personal Archive of Liam de Roiste

Ref: IE 627/U271

Prepared by: Brian McGee, Senior Archivist

Liam de Róiste Descriptive List. © Cork City and County Archives Service 2026

Table of Contents Table of Contents ....................................................................................................................... ii

INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................................ xii

IDENTITY STATEMENT .............................................................................................................. xii

CONTEXT .................................................................................................................................. xii

Creator.................................................................................................................................. xii

Biographical/Administrative History .................................................................................... xii

Archival History ................................................................................................................... xiii

CONTENT AND STRUCTURE .................................................................................................... xiv

Scope and Content .............................................................................................................. xiv

System of Arrangement ...................................................................................................... xix

CONDITIONS OF ACCESS AND USE........................................................................................... xx

Conditions Governing Access ............................................................................................... xx

Conditions Governing Reproduction.................................................................................... xx

Language .............................................................................................................................. xx

Physical /Technical Requirements ....................................................................................... xx

Finding Aids .......................................................................................................................... xx

ALLIED MATERIALS .................................................................................................................. xxi

Existence and Location of Originals .................................................................................... xxi

Existence and Location of Copies ........................................................................................ xxi

Related Units of Description ............................................................................................... xxi

In CCCA ............................................................................................................................ xxi

Elsewhere ....................................................................................................................... xxii

Publication Note .................................................................................................................... xxii

RULES /CONVENTIONS USED ................................................................................................. xxii

ARCHIVIST’S NOTE ................................................................................................................. xxii

DESCRIPTIVE LIST OF CONTENTS: ..............................................................................................1

U271/A

Diaries/Journals and Memoirs 1902-1947 (1953) .................................................1

U271/A/1

Diaries/Journals Feb 1902 - Mar 1947...........................................................1

U271/A/2

Memoirs (1904) 1915 - 1923, 1944 -1953 ...................................................15

U271/B

Cork Celtic Literary Society c1900-c1910............................................................22

U271/B/001

Minutes Cork Celtic Literary Society 1901-1905......................................22

Liam de Róiste Descriptive List. © Cork City and County Archives Service 2026

iii

U271/B/002

Draft Minutes Cork Celtic Literary Society c1905 ....................................23

U271/B/003

Éire Óg Journal 1901-1906.......................................................................23

U281/B/004

Éire Óg Journal- articles out of sequence/undated c1905 - c1910 .........35

U271/B/005

Other Journals 1905-1906 .......................................................................46

U271/B/006

Correspondence 1900-1910 ....................................................................47

U271/B/007

Half Yearly Report Feb 1903 ....................................................................49

U271/B/009

Leaflets 1900-1910..................................................................................50

U271/B/010

Student Roll Book 1904-1905 ..................................................................51

U271/B/011

Clár Oibre c1905 ......................................................................................52

U271/C

Gaelic League/Conradh na Gaeilge (1893) 1903 - 1918 .....................................54

U271/C/1

Correspondence Incoming -Various 1903-1917 ..........................................54

U271/C/2

Correspondence from Gaelic League Executive, Dublin 1910-1918 ...........67

U271/C/3

Shán Ó Cuiv Correspondence 1914-1917 ....................................................70

U271/C/4

Outgoing Correspondence 1901-1905.........................................................72

U271/C/5

Accounts and administration 1910-1915.....................................................73

U271/C/6

Feis na Mumhan c1905 ................................................................................76

U271/C/7

Ephemera 1893-1918...................................................................................76

U271/D

Sinn Féin 1906 – 1918 .........................................................................................80

U271/D/1

Membership 1905-1907 ..............................................................................80

U271/D/2

Árd Chomhairle 1907, 1910, 1918 ...............................................................80

U271/D/3

Correspondence 1909-1918 ........................................................................82

U271/D/4

East Clare By- Election Campaign Ephemera 1917......................................91

U271/D/5

Anti-Conscription Campaign 1917-1918......................................................98

U271/D/6

Ephemera, National and Cork Executives 1914-1918 [c1920] ....................98

U271/D/7

Mansion House Conference 1918-1919 ....................................................102

U271/D/8

1918 General Election 1918.......................................................................103

U271/D/8/A Cork City Fund 1918-1919......................................................................103

U271/D/8/B Preparation 1918 ...................................................................................104

U271/D/8/C Policies 1918 ..........................................................................................105

U271/D/8/D Leaflets/Propaganda 1918.....................................................................106

U271/D/8/E Correspondence 1918............................................................................110

U271/D/8/F Vote Tallies 1918....................................................................................114

Liam de Róiste Descriptive List. © Cork City and County Archives Service 2026

U271/E

Cork Industrial Development Association 1903-1922 .......................................116

U271/E/1 Establishment 1903 .......................................................................................116

U271/E/2 Cork Industrial Exhibition Official Programme and Catalogue 1904-1912....116

U271/E/3 Annual Reports 1911-1917 ............................................................................117

U271/E/4 6th All Ireland Industrial Conference 1910....................................................118

U271/E/5 Monthly Bulletin 1918-1919 ..........................................................................118

U271/E/6 Correspondence 1903-1922 ..........................................................................118

U271/E/7 Other Exhibitions 1904 ..................................................................................120

U271/F

Coláiste na Mumhan Ballingeary 1904-1950s ...................................................122

U271/F/1

Minutes 1904-1922 .................................................................................... 122

U271/F/2 Printed Material 1909 - 1950s .......................................................................123

U271/F/3 Class Timetables 1911....................................................................................125

U271/F/4 Secretary's Report and Prospectus 1911, 1912.............................................126

U271/F/6 Miscellaneous c1904-c1920...........................................................................127

U271/F/7 Student Roll Books 1928 ................................................................................128

U271/F/8 Correspondence 1909-1935 ..........................................................................128

U271/F/8/A

Files of General Correspondence 1909-1935 .......................................129

U271/F/8/B Correspondence- College Administration 1911-1932 ...........................131

U271/F/8/C Correspondence - Prospective Students 1909-1918 .............................137

U271/F/8/D Miscellaneous Correspondence 1915-1933 ..........................................140

U271/F/9 Memoirs of Coláiste na Mumhan 1904-1914 (1940s-1950s) ........................141

U271/G

Irish Volunteers / Óglaigh na hÉireann 1913-1921...........................................144

U271/G/001

National Organisation 1913-1914..........................................................144

U271/G/002

Cork Corps Early Organisation 1913-1914 .............................................147

U271/G/003

Membership Forms Cork Corps 1913-1914...........................................150

U271/G/004

Correspondence Aug-Sep 1914 .............................................................150

U271/G/005

Cork Corps Accounts and Finance 1914.................................................154

U271/G/006

Split in Irish Volunteers Sep-Oct 1914 ...................................................156

U271/G/007

An Cumann Cosanta 1915......................................................................158

U271/G/008

Irish Volunteer Dance 1915 ...................................................................159

U271/G/009

Easter Rising 1916 and Aftermath 1916-1917.......................................159

U271/G/009/A Irish National Aid Association 1916-1917..........................................159

Liam de Róiste Descriptive List. © Cork City and County Archives Service 2026

U271/G/009/B Ephemera 1916-1917 ........................................................................161

U271/G/010

Correspondence from/regarding Prisoners, 1916-1921 .......................166

U271/G/011

List of Members of Cork No. 1 Brigade 1914-1923 (1930s-1940s)........171

U271/G/012

TS. Copy of instructions issued to Irish press by Press Censor 1916 .....171

U271/H

Dáil Éireann 1919-1923......................................................................................173

U281/H/1

First Dáil Éireann, 1919-1921.....................................................................173

U271/H/1/A Dáil Administration 1919 (1929)............................................................173

U271/H/1/A/001 Agendas and Proceedings 1919..................................................173

U271/H/1/A/002 Reports To 1919..........................................................................175

U271/H/1/A/003 Dáil Éireann, Report on Conditions in Ireland 1919 ...................176

U271/H/1/A/004 Dáil Éireann. Standing Orders. [1919] ........................................176

U271/H/1/A/005 Statements 1919.........................................................................176

U271/H/1/A/006 Dáil Loan 1919-c1929 .................................................................177

U271/H/1/A/007 Copies of Statements made to the American Delegation 1919.178

U271/H/1/A/008 Dáil Éireann, Constitutional committee. Notices of motion 1919 178

U271/H/1/A/009 Dáil Éireann, Official Bulletin 17-19 Jun 1919 ............................179

U271/H/1/A/010 Leaflet, 'The National Aspirations of the Irish People'. 1919 .....179

U271/H/1/A/011 Peace Conference letters 1919...................................................179

U271/H/1/B Correspondence- Incoming 1919-1921 .................................................180

U271/H/1/B/1 Correspondence- 1919...................................................................180

U271/H/1/B/2 Correspondence- 1920...................................................................202

U271/H/1/B/3 Correspondence- 1921...................................................................206

U271/H/1/C Ephemera/Newsclippings, 1919-1921 (1940) .......................................207

U271/H/1/D By Liam de Róiste 1919-1921 ................................................................210

U271/H/1/E TS. account of murder of Rev. Father James O'Callaghan May 1921....211

U271/H/2

Second Dáil Éireann, Treaty Debates, Provisional Government 1921-1922 212

U271/H/2/001 Agendas/Orders of the Day 1921-1922 .............................................212

U271/H/2/002 Decrees 1921-1922 ............................................................................214

U271/H/2/003 Procedures and Standing Orders (1919) 1921-1922 .........................215

U271/H/2/004 Notices of Motion 1921-1922 ............................................................216

Liam de Róiste Descriptive List. © Cork City and County Archives Service 2026

U271/H/2/005 Statement of Receipts and Expenditure 1921 ...................................217

U271/H/2/006 Representation of the People Bill, Memorandum 1922....................218

U271/H/2/007 Members’ Tickets 1921-1922 ............................................................218

U271/H/2/008 Reports of Dáil Departments 1921-1922 ...........................................219

U271/H/2/009 Irish Bulletin, news-sheet 1921..........................................................220

U271/H/2/010 Notice of Nominations for Seanad Eireann [1922]............................221

U271/H/2/011 Correspondence (1919) 1921-1922 (1923)........................................221

U271/H/2/011/A Provisional Government 1922 (1923) ........................................221

U271/H/2/011/B Other Correspondence (1919) 1921-1922 (1923)......................222

U271/H/2/012 Anglo-Irish Treaty 1921-1922 ............................................................228

U271/H/2/012/A Treaty Text Dec 1921 ..................................................................229

U271/H/2/012/B Treaty Negotiations 1921 ...........................................................229

U271/H/2/012/C Treaty Debate/Ratification 1921-1922 ......................................230

U271/H/2/012/D MSS. by Liam de Róiste re. Treaty 1921-1922 ...........................235

U271/H/2/012/E Dáil Election 1922 .......................................................................238

U271/H/3

Third Dáil Éireann, Civil War, Irish Free State 1922-1923..........................239

U271/H/3/A Dáil Election June 1922 ..........................................................................239

U271/H/3/B TD Correspondence- Organisations Jun-Dec 1922 ................................241

U271/H/3/C TD Correspondence- Individuals Jun-Dec 1922.....................................246

U271/H/3/D Correspondence- Provisional Government Jun-Nov 1922 ....................252

U271/H/3/E Civil War- Peace Attempts Jun-Nov 1922 ..............................................255

U271/H/3/F Cork Reparations Jun 1922 ....................................................................258

U271/H/3/G Anti-Treaty Material - Civil War Period 1922-1923...............................259

U271/H/3/G/1 Anti-Treaty Material, Correspondence 1922-1923 ........................260

U271/H/3/G/2 Anti-Treaty Ephemera 1922-1923..................................................262

U271/H/3/H Pro-Treaty Ephemera Jan-Dec 1922 ......................................................265

U271/H/3/I

Correspondence re. Diarmaid Fawsitt Sep-Oct 1922 ............................268

U271/H/3/J

Correspondence- Dowdall Oct-Nov 1922 ..............................................270

U271/H/3/K Irish Free State Constitution Sep-Oct 1922 ...........................................271

U271/H/3/L TD, Irish Free State Correspondence 1922-1923...................................273

U271/H/3/M Series of Acts of the Free State, 1923 ...................................................276

U271/I

Local Government 1915-1950 ...........................................................................278

Liam de Róiste Descriptive List. © Cork City and County Archives Service 2026

vii

U271/I/1

Cork Corporation 1918-1950 .........................................................................278

U271/I/1/A

1918 .......................................................................................................278

U271/I/1/B

1920 Municipal Election/Council 1919-1921.........................................280

U271/I/1/C

1922 Election, Cork Corporation, 1922-1928 ........................................282

U271/I/1/D

Election and Corporation 1929 ..............................................................285

U271/I/1/E

1945-1950 Election/Corporation ...........................................................287

U271/I/1/E/1 Election 1945 ....................................................................................287

U271/I/1/E/2 Other Material 1947-1950 ................................................................289

U271/I/2

Dublin Corporation examinations 1915-1919 ...............................................291

U271/I/3

Cork County Council examinations/jobs c1919-1920s ..................................291

U271/I/4

Cork Harbour Commissioners 1919-1928......................................................292

U271/J

Later Correspondence 1924 – 1954...................................................................295

U271/J/001 JJ Walsh 1925-1948....................................................................................295

U271/J/002 Election Deposits 1918, 1922 (1925 - 1926) ..............................................299

U271/J/003 Invitations 1924 – 1939 .............................................................................301

U271/J/004 Other Irish Free State government material, 1924 - 1928 ........................303

U271/J/005 Clann Éireann 1926 ....................................................................................305

U271/J/006 Other 1924-1927........................................................................................305

U271/J/007 Various 1930s.............................................................................................310

U271/J/008 Various 1940s.............................................................................................311

U271/J/008/A James Hickey, Lord Mayor 1940..........................................................311

U271/J/008/B Richard Mulcahy 1940-1949 ...............................................................311

U271/J/008/C Earnán de Blaghd (Ernest Blythe) 1942 ..............................................312

U271/J/008/D William T Cosgrave, leader of Fine Gael 1943 ....................................313

U271/J/008/E Liam Burke Fine Gael 1946 ..................................................................313

U271/J/008/F Éamon O’Neill 1948 .............................................................................313

U271/J/008/G Sean MacEoin 1948.............................................................................314

U271/J/008/H Pa McGrath 1848 ................................................................................314

U271/J/008/I Postcard in shorthand 1948 .................................................................314

U272/J/008/J From Liam de Róiste 1941, 1949..........................................................315

U271/J/008/K Invitations 1945-1949 .........................................................................316

U271/J/008/L Circular letter from Patrick Harris 1948 ..............................................317

Liam de Róiste Descriptive List. © Cork City and County Archives Service 2026

viii

U271/J/009 Seanad Election 1948.................................................................................318

U271/J/010

Various 1951-1954 ................................................................................320

U271/K

Cumann na nGaedheal 1925-1929 ....................................................................323

U271/K/1 Seanad Election 1925.....................................................................................323

U271/K/1/A Nomination/Panel Jul- Aug 1925 ...........................................................323

U271/K/1/B JJ Walsh, Minister for Posts and Telegraphs 1925.................................325

U271/K/1/C Correspondence, Cumann na nGaedheal Aug-Sep 1925.......................326

U271/K/1/D Election Committee Aug-Sep 1925 ........................................................330

U271/K/1/E Letters of Support May-Nov 1925 .........................................................331

U271/K/1/F

Letters / Representations from Interest Groups Aug-Sep 1925............347

U271/K/1/G Campaign Organisation 1925.................................................................352

U271/K/1/H Ephemera and Official Circular Letters 1925 .........................................355

U271/K/1/H/1 Liam de Róiste Campaign 1925.......................................................355

U271/K/1/H/2 Official Election organisation 1925 .................................................356

U271/K/1/H/3 Other Material 1925 .......................................................................358

U271/K/2 Cumann na nGaedheal 1926 - 1929 ..............................................................360

U271/K/2/A Annual Convention 1926 .......................................................................360

U271/K/2/B Cork Cumann na nGaedheal, convention 1927 .....................................361

U271/K/2/C Correspondence re. 1927 Election 1927 ...............................................361

U271/K/2/D Ephemera 1927-1929.............................................................................363

U271/K/2/E TS. letter from Liam de Róiste May 1929 ..............................................365

U271/L

Irish Christian Front 1936-1937 .........................................................................366

U271/L/1 Correspondence 1936 - 1937 (1941) .............................................................366

U271/L/1/A P. Belton TD 1936...................................................................................366

U271/L/1/B

Aileen O'Brien 1936 ...............................................................................366

U271/L/1/C

Eoin Ua Cuithbhreath 1936....................................................................367

U271/L/1/D Prof. Alfred O'Rahilly 1936-1937 ...........................................................367

U271/L/1/E

Liam de Róiste 1936 - 1941....................................................................369

U271/L/1/F

J. B. Brennan 1936 .................................................................................370

U271/L/1/G Church Officials Sep 1936 ......................................................................370

U271/L/1/H Alastair MacCaba 1936 ..........................................................................371

U271/L/1/I

F. O'Reilly Apr - Oct 1936 .......................................................................372

Liam de Róiste Descriptive List. © Cork City and County Archives Service 2026

U271/L/1/J

Draft telegram from [Irish Christian Front] Sep 1936............................374

U271/L/2 Aims and Organisation 1936..........................................................................374

U271/L/3 Speeches 1936-1937 ......................................................................................375

U271/L/4 Ephemera 1936-1937.....................................................................................377

U271/M

Muintir na Tíre 1937-1953 .................................................................................379

U271/M/1

Constitution [1937] ....................................................................................379

U271/M/2

Meeting Papers, Cork Guild 1939 ..............................................................379

U271/M/3

Text of lecture by Liam de Róiste 1939......................................................379

U271/M/4

Correspondence, 1939-1941 .....................................................................381

U271/M/5

Muintir na Tíre instructional leaflets 1 to 4 and leaflet H. 1930s-1940s...382

U271/M/6

Publications 1938-1953 .............................................................................382

U271/M/7

Miscellaneous File, 1936-1940 ..................................................................383

U271/N

Bureau of Military History 1947-1957 ...............................................................384

U271/N/1

Booklets, 1947-1948 ..................................................................................384

U271/N/2

Correspondence 1947 - 1957.....................................................................384

U271/N/3

Witness Statement of Liam de Róiste c1950 .............................................388

U271/N/3a

Account by Liam de Róiste of the Irish Volunteers Cork Corps early years

1947

389

U271/O

Literary Papers, Essays, Research Notes, and Lecture/ Speech Texts 1898-1945

(1959)

390

U271/O/1

Literary Papers 1904-1924.........................................................................390

U271/O/1/A Plays 1904-1915 .....................................................................................390

U271/O/1/B Short Stories 1904-1915 ........................................................................393

U271/O/1/C

Poetry 1916-1924 ................................................................................395

U271/O/2

Essays/Articles 1900-1951 .........................................................................396

U271/O/2/A Early 1900s 1902-c1914 .........................................................................397

U271/O/2/B 1912 - 1918 ............................................................................................401

U271/O/2/C 1920s- 1930s, 1924 - 1937 ....................................................................403

U271/O/2/D 1940-1951 .............................................................................................. 411

U271/O/2/E Undated [c1900s - c1940s] ........................................................................414

U271/O/3

Notes and Research 1898-1950s ...............................................................415

U271/O/3/A 1898 - 1918 (1921).................................................................................415

U271/O/3/B 1920s, 1921-1929 ..................................................................................417

U271/O/3/C 1930s-1940s, 1930 1944........................................................................419

U271/O/3/D 1950s, 1952-1958 ..................................................................................428

U271/O/3/E Undated [c1900 - c1940s] ......................................................................429

U271/O/4

Lecture / Speech Texts 1901-1945 ............................................................432

U271/P

Businessman (1920) 1922-1955.........................................................................435

U271/P/1 Correspondence, 1922-1923 .........................................................................435

U271/P/2 Other Material 1920-1955 .............................................................................440

U271/Q

Other Organisations 1904 - 1928 (1940) ..........................................................442

U271/Q/001

O'Donovan Rossa Reception Committee Nov 1904 ..............................442

U271/Q/002

Na Fianna Éireann 1911, 1916 ...............................................................443

U271/Q/003

Department of Agriculture and Technical Instruction 1911-1912, 1919 443

U271/Q/004

Department of Recruiting for Ireland 1914-1918..................................444

U271/Q/005

Women’s Party 1918-1919 ....................................................................446

U271/Q/006

Munster University 1919 .......................................................................446

U271/Q/007

Friends of Irish Freedom 1919-1928......................................................448

U271/Q/008

Irish White Cross 1921-1924..................................................................449

U271/Q/009

League of Nations Society of Ireland 1923-1924...................................451

U271/Q/010

Kinsale Regional Museum Ticket 1940 ..................................................451

U271/R

Personal Life 1905-1940 (1950s) .......................................................................453

U271/R/1

Marriage and Wife, Nora 1905 – 1969 ......................................................453

U271/R/2

Academia, 1911-1915 ................................................................................456

U271/R/3

Correspondence, 1905-1927 .....................................................................457

U271/R/4

Memorabilia, c1920s-1950s.......................................................................468

U271/R/5

Financial Affairs, 1920's - 1940 ..................................................................469

U271/S

Printed Publications and Ephemera 1900-1958 ..............................................471

U271/S/A

Books 1907-1921 .......................................................................................471

U271/S/B

Magazines 1902-1949 ................................................................................ 472

U271/S/C

Booklets/Programmes 1910-1945 ............................................................. 477

U271/S/D

Leaflets c1905-1945 ................................................................................... 486

U271/S/E

Newspapers and Newsclippings 1906-1950s ............................................490

U271/S/E/1 1906 - 1922 ................................................................................................490

U271/S/E/2

1930s ........................................................................................................497

U271/S/E/3

Newsclipping, The People 1949 ................................................................498

U271/S/E/4

1950s ...................................................................................................... 498

U271/T

Photographs 1902-1949....................................................................................500

xii

INTRODUCTION

IDENTITY STATEMENT Reference: IE 627/U271

Title:

Liam de Róiste Papers

Level of

description: fonds

Date:

(1893) 1900-1959 (1969)

Extent:

fonds

CONTEXT Creator De Róiste, Liam (T.D) b1882 - d1959

Biographical/Administrative History De Róiste, Liam (William Roche) (b1882–d1959), politician, writer, and Irish-language activist, was born 15 June 1882 in Fountainstown, Tracton parish, South Co. Cork, son of Edward Roche and Eliza Ahern, both schoolteachers. He attended the local national school and, although little Irish was spoken in his area, he learned to speak the language with the help of the few remaining Irish-speakers, and to read it with the aid of books lent to him by Tomás Mac Eoin, a young schoolmaster in the parish. In 1899 he took a position in a drapery shop in Cork before moving briefly to a clerical role in a loan office. After being temporarily unemployed he took a clerical and teaching position at Skerry's College, a grind school. In 1910 he was given a job as a commerce teacher by Co. Cork Vocational Education Committee. By then he had become a leading figure in Irish cultural and economic movements in Cork. He joined the Gaelic League in 1899, and by 1902 was its secretary in Cork, before joining its general executive committee. In 1904 he helped found Coláiste na Mumhan, the Irish- language training college in Ballingeary, and served as its secretary until 1936. Having joined the Young Ireland Society in Cork (1899), he left with a number of others to found the Cork Celtic Literary Society (1901) and also helped found the Cork Dramatic Society (1904). From August 1906 to July 1907 he published a magazine, The Shield. His love of drama and literature saw him set up Shandon Publishing Company, which published his pamphlet A message to the man (1908). He also wrote such plays as ‘The road to hell’ (1908), a warning

xiii

of the dangers of drinking, and ‘Fodhla’ (1908). He later published a collection of patriotic poetry, prose, and orations, Voices of the past (1915). Deeply conscious of the need for economic as well as cultural revival, he was one of the founders of the Industrial Development Association in 1903, serving as honorary secretary until 1924, and also helped found the Irish International Trading Corporation, where he worked until 1956, in an attempt to give employment in his native area. He was later a member of Cork harbour board and of the board of management of Cork mental hospital. He co-founded the Cork branch of Sinn Féin in 1906 and was one of the organisers of the meeting attended by Eoin MacNeill (qv) and Roger Casement (qv) which established the Irish Volunteers in Cork in 1913. In 1914 he smuggled a Mauser rifle to Cork from London, and he was involved in events surrounding the 1916 rising; but poor eyesight and a non- violent disposition left him unsure of his capabilities as a gunman; he was never a member of the IRB. In the war of independence, he was involved in various manoeuvres obliging him to stay away from his home for long periods, and in 1921 this probably saved his life when a squad of Black and Tans shot his friend Fr Séamus Ó Ceallacháin, who had arrived on a visit. A full-time organiser for Sinn Féin in Cork, he was elected to the first Dáil in 1918, and was subsequently re-elected in 1922. He served as leascheann comhairle, chairing a number of debates, and also chaired the parliamentary meeting (14 January 1922) that resolved to accept the treaty and set up a provisional government. As disagreement drifted into civil war, he was involved in attempts to reconcile both sides: although he supported the treaty, he was not fully in accord with leading members of Cumann na nGaedheal such as Kevin O'Higgins (qv) and Paddy Hogan (qv), who were suspicious of his desire for compromise, while he in turn believed that the government was already losing its Gaelic ethos. He left national politics and did not stand in the 1923 general election, but unsuccessfully contested the seanad elections of 1925. In 1936 he was involved in the Irish Christian Front, which supported Franco in the Spanish civil war; he was also involved in Muintir na Tíre. In 1945 he was elected to Cork corporation as a member of the Civic Party, having been requested to stand by the Knights of Columbanus. An unassuming man of great charm and intelligence, he remained receptive to new ideas throughout his life. He continued to study, write, and lecture on Irish history and culture until his death, and contributed a series of articles to the Cork Examiner detailing his experiences in various cultural and political movements. He married (27 July 1909) Nóra Ní Bhriain, sometime secretary of Iníní na hÉireann. He died 15 May 1959 in Cork.

(Above from: Dictionary of Irish Biography, by Paul Rouse https://www.dib.ie/biography/de- roiste-liam-a2470 )

Archival History The diaries section may have been donated to Cork Archives Council in February 1980 by Richard O'Brien.

xiv

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

Éamon de Valera. (U271/D/3/6a/4). Also present is a series of 1918 Election leaflets for De Róiste and JJ. Walsh (U271/D/8/D) and extensive ephemera concerning the East Clare by- election in 1917 (U271/D/4). Some correspondence is also present including a letter to de Róiste from Daniel Corkery in Aug 1918 with his opinion on the choice of Sinn Féin candidates for Cork City, '...we should strive to have in that party such a variety of mind as will...correspond with the variety of mind in a healthy nation'. Notes Ireland has a 'general dearth' of intellectuals, and Sinn Féin suffers more than any other party from this. It must appoint leaders 'the world will accept', to prevent the party from 'appearing in the eyes of the world as a collection of village notabilities'. (U271/D/8/E/002) Section E: Cork Industrial Development Association 1903-1922; De Róiste together with Diarmaid L. Fawsitt was the driving force behind the Cork IDA and at its establishment in 1903. Its stated purpose was to forward the interests of Irish manufactures and products, ’primarily intended to check the awful exodus of our people' through emigration (U271/E/1/1). Section F: Coláiste na Mumhan, Ballingeary 1904-1955. De Róiste was a key organiser and Secretary of the College and the section contains both administrative records and extensive memoirs in both Irish and English (U271/F/9). In the memoirs, he recalls personal reminiscences of local characters and visitors, including that of Terence MacSwiney staying at 'The Lodge' of the Cronin’s and a walk with MacSwiney in the hills to Tuiríndubh, 'Traolach and myself had been friends and associates since boyhood. The stress and the strain, the glory, and the tragedy of events to come were hidden in the womb of the future. The memory of that quiet evening in the hills may have come to mind when I knelt by his deathbed in Brixton Prison...'. (U271/F/9/1) Section G: Irish Volunteers Cork Corps 1913-21. De Róiste as a founder member and Secretary of the Cork Corps kept records from the early years of the Volunteers in Cork including a set of c1700 membership forms 1913-1914 (U271/G/003). Themes documented include the split in the Volunteers (U271/G/006/2), and the aftermath of the Easter Rising (U271/G/9/B). De Róiste remained a Dáil Éireann politician and was not a soldier during the War of Independence (his diaries and memoirs in Section A document that period in detail). However, present in Section G are a number of letters from IRA prisoners during the War of Independence, including Tadgh Barry (U271/010/D), and Sarah Duggan of Cumann na mBan (U271/G/010/E). Section H: Dáil Éireann 1919-1923. This is a substantial section which documents the First, Second and Third Dáils and de Róiste’s time as a T.D. The First Dáil sub section, Jan 1919- May 1921, documents its initial organisation and administration including a set of reports from various committees/departments to the Dáil on various topics including local government, trade and industry, propaganda, courts, fisheries, foreign affairs, finances, agriculture etc. (U271/H/1/A/002). A large file is also present concerning the administration of the first Dáil Loan 1919-1929 in Cork, which de Róiste may have been administering or

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overseeing, including a register of subscribers for Cork City, (U271/H/1/A/006). All of de Róiste’s correspondence as a Sinn Féin TD for the period is included, mainly incoming material (U271/H/1/B); including significant files from JJ Walsh, Michael Collins, the Sinn Féin party, and one of Lord Mayor Tomás MacCurtain’s final letters dated 19 March 1920, hours before his death at home at the hands of crown forces (U271/H/1/B/2/C). The sub- section on the Second Dáil covers the period of transition from armed revolution to Truce, to the Anglo-Irish Treaty debate (U271/H/2/012) and Dáil ratification. De Róiste chaired some of the fractious Treaty debates in Dáil Éireann, having been, as stated in his later correspondence, the first TD to speak publicly in favour of the Treaty (See U271/J/001/004). The Third Dáil sub section covers the period from, and including, the June 1922 election, the Civil War, the establishment and first months of the Irish Free State. De Róiste actively campaigned for the acceptance of the Treaty but despaired at the bloodshed and destruction of the Civil War, “…I entered public life most unwillingly in 1918, feeling it was a duty placed upon me. I remained in public life since, during the period of English armed aggression, for the same reason. With fratricidal strife and a blood feud between former comrades, I can have nothing to do. I can give no approval to it on one side or the other. My duty in public life is therefore, ended and I have already decided to retire as a representative…” (U271/H/3/A/6). He took the stance of attempting to reconcile the two factions (U271/H/3/E) which would, as he wished, end his career in national politics. It is notable that the collection contains both pro-Treaty and anti-Treaty correspondence and ephemera (U271/H/3/G and H). De Róiste appears to have set out a claim to the Provisional Government for over £3,000,000 in reparations from the British for the destruction in Cork City in the period Jan 1919-Dec 1921 (U271/H/3/F/1). De Róiste also appears to have been involved in the drafting of the Irish Free State Constitution (U271/H/3/K) Section I: Local Government, 1915-1950. A limited amount of material mainly relating to Cork Corporation. This includes material relating to the 1920 Local Election where De Róiste was elected as a Councillor/Alderman of the City for the first time, such as registers of electors for 2 polling districts, compiled under the Representation of the People Act 1918, which incorporated women voters for the first time. (U271/I/A/2 and 3) Despite de Róiste being appointed a Cork Harbour Commissioner, very little material is present in the collection relating to this body (U271/I/4). Section J: Later Correspondence 1924-1954. This section comprises mainly political and non- private correspondence dating from after the end of De Róiste’s tenure as a T.D. but excluding his involvement with Cumann na Gaedheal (see section K). De Róiste did not stand in the August 1923 general election. This section includes a series of letters 1925 – 1948 from former colleague and friend, JJ Walsh, who remained a TD, and was appointed as the Minister of Posts and Telegraphs in the Irish Free State. (U271/J/001) De Róiste appears to have maintained some contact with governmental figures for example in relation to trade policy (U271/J/004/6) and was invited yearly by President Cosgrave to the Griffith-Collins anniversary memorials (U271/J/003). It is notable that little correspondence is present for

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the 1930s and 1940s, with nothing ostensibly relating to De Róiste’s support for radical nationalism and the political party Ailtirí na hAiséirghe. It will be noted that JJ Walsh and Ernest Blythe and a number of other politicians and Irish language activists, including members of some republican Sinn Féin and IRA factions, were also supporters. (See also: Section L documenting De Róiste’s involvement with the Irish Christian Front). Section K: Cumann na nGaedheal 1925-1929. This section mainly documents De Róiste’s unsuccessful campaigns for the Seanad in 1925, and the Dáil in 1927, as a Cumann na nGaedheal party candidate. An election leaflet from 1927 encouraged the public to ‘VOTE FOR the Party which saved Ireland from Anarchy five years ago....done solid work for Ireland...guarantee Peace, Prosperity, and Good Government...’ . The leaflet details of the governing party’s achievements while in government and includes photographs of the candidates in Cork, de Róiste, Barry M. Egan, Michael Egan, and JJ Walsh (U271/K/2/D/4). Also includes organisational material relating to the party (U271/K/2/A and B). Section L: Irish Christian Front 1936-1937. This section of c30 items provides a valuable insight into the formation of the ICF, and de Róiste’s contribution to it, such as, correspondence with ICF and church officials and other interested individuals (U271/L/1), drafts of his suggestions for the aims and organisation of the ICF (U271/L/2) and the text of his speech at a public rally held in Cork in Sep 1936 (U271/L/3). De Róiste and others were not in favour with the ICF becoming a political party and regarded it as a public crusade of support against the ‘Red terror’ and ‘Atheistic’ or ‘anti-Christian’ forces (U271/L/3/3). (Additional information about de Róiste’s support for Catholic activism and his political and social thinking in the 1930s and 1940s may be found in some of the essays and articles in Section O) Section M: Muintir na Tíre 1937-1953. De Róiste was president of the Cork guild of Muintir na Tíre in c1939. This section includes texts of lectures by de Róiste (U271/M/3) and extensive correspondence with Alfred O’Reilly and other regarding aims, principles, and organisation (U271/M/4) and also a set of leaflets and publications (U271/M/5 and 6) Section N: Bureau of Military History 1947-1957. De Róiste engaged extensively with the Bureau and provided a number of accounts on the Irish Volunteers Cork corps (U271/N/3 and 3a). Also found are a set of booklets issued by the Bureau (U271/N/1) and correspondence with Florence O’Donoghue and other officials of the Bureau, and others such as long-time friend and associate Diarmaid L. Fawsitt. (U271/N/2). Section O: Literary Papers, Essays, Research Notes and Lecture/Speech Texts 1898-1945. The literary material includes scripts by de Róiste, mainly from the early 1900s, of plays such as the ‘Wooing of Time’, ‘The Drunkard’, ‘Percy Connors’, ‘The Road to Hell’ and others (U271/O/1/A). It also includes a set of short stories from the same period and up to 1922 such as ‘Ceann Dubh Dílis’/ Dear Dark Head, 'A Study of a young Irishman's mind which may illuminate Irish History for the twenty years prior to 1916'. (U271/O/1/B) The section also

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