Seamus Fitzgerald Descriptive List (Ref. PR6)

influence in many circles they continued to arrive. Those letters post dating 1960 have been closed at the request of the donor to save any possible upset. Preserved alongside material relating to Fitzgerald's own election campaigns are documents and paraphernalia relating to Fianna Fail's electoral campaigns in Cork including an interesting group of 'battle songs'. Electoral propaganda belonging to other parties was also collected by Fitzgerald and is also preserved. His commitment to Fianna Fail was rewarded by a term in the Senate from 1934 to it's abolition in 1936. Section 2 Subsection B here reflects Fitzgerald's associations with other Republican organisations and his concern for their aging members. He was a member of the Cork Old IRA Mens Association and appears to have been on good terms with its founder General Tom Barry, and have lent his support to beginning with A his activities as a member of Cobh Urban District Council and B his fifty year long tenure as a member of the Cork Harbour Commissioners. The material relates to the day to day operations of both these bodies and both contain material relating to Haulbowline Dockyards and Cork Airport. Fitzgerald as a member of the Harbour Board was during the period of the Second World War or Emergency, involved as an officer in the organisation and drilling of the Cork Maritime Inscription and Competent Port Authority. He retained memorabilia (message forms, order sheers) relating to War Games between the Maritime Inscription and the Local Defense Force. Section 3 Subsection C records Fitzgerald's activities as first a founder member of Cobh Chamber of Commerce and then it's Cork counterpart. It was through the Cork Chamber that Fitzgerald helped establish the Cork Economic Development Council which was instrumental in attracting foreign investors to the Cork area. There survives a large body of correspondence relating to this. Amongst the unsuccessful ventures was an application by to establish a cycle factory in Ireland, an offer rejected by the Government. This section of the collection reflects very strongly Fitzgerald's unwavering efforts to promote new industries and bolster those already established. This commitment is also reflected in Subsection D, in his support for the establishment of an airport for Cork. This was a project he pursued from the 1930's when plans for both an aerodrome and a seadrome were being mooted. Again his membership of a number of complimentary bodies helped him push this project. Cork Airport was finally opened at Farmer's Cross, Ballinhassig, just one of the many sites considered. Early proposals and reports are preserved in this section. many Republican memorials and Commemorations. Section 3 is devoted to Fitzgerald's Public Service , His involvement as a director of both Aer Lingus and Aer Rianta is reflected in Section 2 Subsection E, mainly in the form of copy minutes and reports. There is an interesting group of material dealing with the establishment of Aer Lingus and Fitzgerald's involvement with this. Section 2 Subsection F details Fitzgerald's activities as a co-opted member of the Governing body of University College Cork up to 1971 and as a member of the Finance Committee of the College. As an acknowledgement of his dedication and drive Fitzgerald was awarded an honorary degree by UCC in 1949. Memorabilia from the ceremony and letters of congratulations are preserved. As a well known and trusted public figure Fitzgerald received a number of political appointments. Subsection G contains material from two, his

- 3 -