Captain George Berkeley Descriptive List (Ref. PR12)

From the collections of Cork City and County Archives Service.

PR12/

Captain George Berkeley Papers Descriptive List Cork City and County Archives Ref. IE CCCA/PR12

Identity Statement Area

IE CCCA/PR12

Reference Code:

Captain George Berkeley

Title:

1914-1916, 1920-1921 (1930s-40s)

Dates:

Fonds

Level of description:

213 items plus 5 boxes of additional material

Extent and medium:

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Contents

Identity Statement Area ................................................................................................... 1 Contents ............................................................................................................................. 2 Context ............................................................................................................................... 3 Source of Acquisition/Archival History ........................................................................ 3 Biographical History...................................................................................................... 3 Content and Structure ...................................................................................................... 4 Scope and Content ......................................................................................................... 4 Arrangement................................................................................................................... 4 Accruals .......................................................................................................................... 5 Conditions of Access and Use........................................................................................... 5 Allied Materials ................................................................................................................. 5 References .......................................................................................................................... 5 Archivists Note .................................................................................................................. 5 LIST OF ITEMS AND DESCRIPTIONS ...................................................................... 6 A. Irish Volunteers......................................................................................................... 6 I Correspondence (1913-1914)................................................................................. 6 i Relating to Belfast Irish Volunteers.................................................................... 6 ii House of Commons........................................................................................... 12 iii Offers of Help ................................................................................................... 13 iv From Alec and Anne Lawrence ........................................................................ 15 v Irish Volunteers, Dublin.................................................................................... 17 vi Relating to other Irish Volunteers North of Ireland Districts ........................... 21 vii Letters from George Berkeley ...................................................................... 25 viii From R.E. Longfield, Cork ........................................................................... 27 II Other Material Relating to Belfast Irish Volunteers (1914) .............................. 29 III Guns on the Asgard (1951) .................................................................................. 33 B Irish Dominion League (I.D.L) .............................................................................. 34 I Correspondence (1920-1921)............................................................................... 34 i Irish Statesman .................................................................................................. 34 ii Henry Harrison, Secretary I.D.L....................................................................... 34 iii George Berkeley ............................................................................................... 36 iv E.S. Agnew, Secretary, London Committee, I.D.L. ......................................... 38 v Lord Monteagle................................................................................................. 40 vii Sir Horace Plunkett ....................................................................................... 42 viii Winifrid Chapple .......................................................................................... 43 II Minutes, Memoranda and Resolutions (1920-1921) .......................................... 43 III Publications (1886-1924) ..................................................................................... 45 C: ADDITIONAL MATERIAL ................................................................................ 51

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Context

Archival History Collection reference PR12 consists of the papers of Captain George Fitzhardinge Berkeley (1870-1955).

Biographical History George Fitzhardinge Berkeley was born in 1870, the only child of Major George Sackville Berkeley. He was educated at Wellington and Keble College Oxford. In 1899 he married Caroline Isabel Mason (d. 1933). Served in Great War 1914-19 as Brigade Musketry Officer, also with 3 cavalry res. regt. and on Claims Commission in France and Italy. Justice of the Peace in Oxfordshire 1906-1937. Married his second wife, Joan Weld, in 1934. Member of Vincent's (Oxford) and Kildare Street (Dublin) clubs. Resided at Hanwell Castle near Banbury, Oxfordshire, England. Died 14 November 1955.

Publications include an article in ‘ Home rule problems ’ , Ed. by Basil Williams, (London, 1911). Also ‘The Irish Batallion in the Papal Army of 1860’ (1930).

In November 1913, the Irish Volunteer Force (I.V.F.) was founded. A national committee was formed with Eoin MacNeill as Chairman, Bulmer Hobson as Secretary and Sir Roger Casement as Treasurer. In the Spring of 1914, Volunteer Corps were formed across Ireland. In 1914, a committee met in London to consider how to provide arms for the I.V.F. The members of the committee were included Sir Alexander Lawrence, Capt. George Fitzhardinge Berkeley, Mary Spring-Rice, her cousin Conor O'Brien, Erskine Childers and Darrell Figgis. Between them they subscribed £1,524 and Figgis was sent to Hamburg in order to purchase arms. The arms were purchased. Erskine Childers on his yacht "Asgard" (now on display in Kilmainham Jail, Dublin) and Conor O'Brien on his yacht "Kelpie" set out to bring the arms to Ireland. On July 25, 1914, Erskine Childers, Mary Spring-Rice and two Donegal fishermen landed 900 Mauser rifles and 29,000 rounds of ammunition safely at Howth. Conor O'Brien also landed 600 Mauser rifles and 20,000 rounds at Kilcoole, Co. Wicklow. In August 1914, the First World War started. John Redmond, leader of the Irish Parliamentary Party, urged the members of the I.V.F. to join the British Army and to fight in Flanders in his now famous speech in Woodenbridge, Co. Wicklow. This caused a split in the I.V.F.

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Content and Structure

Scope and Content The collection has been arranged into 2 main sections. Section A relates to Berkeley’s involvement with the Irish Volunteers. Section B relates to his involvement with the Irish Dominion League. Berkeley was appointed in July 1914 as Chief Inspecting Officer for the Irish Volunteers in Belfast and in counties Down and Antrim (PR12/56), although subsequently he resigned from duties outside Belfast (PR12/57). The collection contains some material, mainly notes and corresepondence, relating to the organisation and training of the Belfast Regiment of the Irish Volunteers in 1914 (PR12/96, /117, /121, /128) and a small amount of material relating to other areas in the North of Ireland (PR12/79, /89, /91). Some items relate to the national organisation of the Irish Volunteers PR12/69, /71, /108, /112), and include some mention of importation of munitions (PR12/35). There are also a number of items relating to tension in Belfast during 1914 (PR12/4, /8, 10, /93). Regarding the wider political situation in Irelan d in 1914, there is evidence of Berkeley’s contact with John Redmond of the Home Rule Party (PR12/32 - /34), and some indication of Berkeley’s views on the political situation at the time (PR12/97, /98). The collection contains some correspondence from on e of Berkeley’s Unionist friends in Cork, expressing concern about the evolving political and military situation in Ireland (PR12/99 - /107).

Also found is the text of a published article by Mary Spring Rice from the Irish Press on gun importation at Howth in 1914 (PR12/128a).

Berkeley became involved in the Irish Dominion League in 1920. The League was formed as a platform for the promotion of dominion Home Rule for Ireland (PR12/208). The collection contains correspondence relating to the League such as from Henry Harrison, Honarary Secretary (PR12/133), from the London Committee of the League (PR12/151, /153), and circular letters from Sir Horace Plunkett (PR/168-/171). There is also material relating to a Bill from Lord Monteagle in June 1920 for Dominion Home Rule for Ireland (PR12/163), and some material about the Irish Peace Conference in September 1920 (PR12/181, /182). Also included are publications by the League and related organisations, and newsclippings (PR12/208).

Arrangement The collection has been arranged into 2 main sections. Section A relates to Berkeley’s involvement with the Irish Volunteers. Section B relates to his involvement with the Irish Dominion League.

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Accruals Several additional boxes due to be acceessioned from Cork City Library in 2008.

Conditions of Access and Use Open by appointment to those holding a current readers ticket.

Allied Materials Military Archives, Cathal Brugha Barracks, Rathmines, Dublin 6. Witness statements by George F.H. Berkeley

University College Dublin: Ref. P81, Minute book of the Irish Volunteers, Belfast Committee.

References Kelly's handbook to the titled, landed and official classes, 1954, p.267:

Archivists Note Brian McGee Archivist, Cork Archives Institute May 2005, Aug 2010

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LIST OF ITEMS AND DESCRIPTIONS

A. Irish Volunteers

Correspondence (1913-1914)

Relating to Belfast Irish Volunteers

9 September 1913

Letter, from George Taaffe, Smarmone Cas tle, Ardee, Co. Louth, to ‘My dear Berkeley ’ (George F.H. Berkeley). He is unable to go to Belfast and will be helping the Down people. He fears he ‘should not have the patience to deal with political factionists’ and has also offered his services to the W ar Office.

2pp

23 July 1914

Letter, from P.J. O’Neill, St. Malachy’s College, Belfast, to ‘Dear Sir’. Relates that owing to the death of the Bishop, Most Rev. Dr. Tohill, they cannot grant permission for the use of the grounds by the Irish Volunteers.

28 [July] 1914

Letter, from William Juinn, Broomhill, Glen Road, Belfast, to ‘Dear Sir’ (George Berkeley). He cannot let Berkeley have his grazing field as he is very short of grass at present.

28 July 1914

L etter from Major Blair Child, General Sir Nevil Macready’s office. Sir Nevil has no information of the nature indicated in Berkley’s letter, and the matter properly concerns the Chief Commissioner of Police. (See also PR12/93)

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2pp

29 July 1914

Letter, from D. McCullough, Chairman, Belfast Regiment, Irish Volunteers, to George Berkeley. He is in receipt of the rifles, 5 miniature, 1 Lee-Metford, and 1 air rifle. He undertakes that they will not be handed over to private individuals but will be retained by the authorities in Command.

30 July 1914

Letter from T.W. McCotter, St. Joseph’s Presbytery, Pilot Street, Belfast, to ‘Dear Capt. Berkeley’. The Catholic body are represented by ‘The Catholic Vigilance Committee’ with J.J. M cDonnell J.P. and Murphy as secretaries. Mentions danger zone arrangements on occasion of the 3 rd Reading of the Home Rule Bill and (12 th of) July celebrations. The arrangements are known and appreciated by Major General Macready and under these circumstan ces ‘I do not think it necessary or prudent for the Irish Volunteers to intervene’.

4 August 1914

Letter, from Herbert Pim, 6 Royal Avenue, Belfast , to ‘Dear Capt. Berkeley’. Asks Berkeley to come for supper. Mentions Dr. Crone of Irish literary fame, Editor of the Irish Book Lover, and F.J. Biggar.

2pp

4 August 1914

Resolutions made by the General Committee of the Irish Volunteers, Belfast Regiment. Concern question of Provisional Government orders in case of ‘outbreak by a riotous mob’ to mount unarmed and armed piquets in the Falls district.

2pp

5 August 1914

Note, from Herbert Pim, Grand Central Hotel, Belfast, to ‘Dear Capt. Berkeley’. Concerns a meeting.

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5 August 1914

‘ Confidential Me morandum’. Contains resolutions of General Committee, Irish Volunteers, Belfast, Colonel Cotter and Captain Berkeley. Concerns Provisional Government called by Unionists, preparation against attack in Falls Road district, North district, and East and South districts.

2pp

11 August 1914

Letter, from Lorenzo Martin, Irish Volunteers Force, South Belfast Regiment, 1 st Battalion, ‘C’ Company, to ‘Dear Captain Berkeley’. Asks Berkeley to a meeting in Alfred Street.

16 August 1914

Letter, from William Skeffington, 24 Oranmore Street, Belfast, to ‘Dear Captain Berkeley’. Requests Berkeley to receive a deputation from members of ‘D’ Company 2 nd Battalion West, in relation to ‘misunderstanding which occurred at Shann’s Park’ .

17 August 1914

Letter, from John C. Fagan, The Office, Divis Street, Belfast, to Captain Berkeley. Concerns training manuals.

17 August 1914

Letter from H.F. McNally, 61 Raglan Street, Belfast, to ‘Sir’. The corps for the training of young officers has been in existence for the past three weeks. Mentions examination and that ‘we have as yet received no training whatever in Musketry’.

21 August 1914

Letter, from J.J. Holland, Captain, Irish Volunteers, City of Limerick Regiment, 1 Lower Hartonge Street, Limerick, to Captain Berkeley. Concerns Berkeley’s

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enquiry about ‘D. Meagher’ who was an instructor in ‘H’ Company, who left under ‘an insubordinate fashion’.

2pp

23 August 1914

Letter, from Ch arles Smyth, 30 Elmhill Street, Belfast, to ‘Sir’. Concerns an incident while the South Belfast Regiment was on parade. Mentions the ‘kindest regards’ felt about Berkeley.

4pp

26 August 1914

Letter, from John Maginn, Secretary, Irish Volunteers ‘E’ Company, 1 st West Battalion , 59 Ross Street, Belfast, to ‘Dear Sir’ (Captain Berkeley). Thanks Berkeley for his letter explaining his absence from their social event.

3pp

28 August 1914

Letter, from W. Dowds, Section Cycles, 47 Derby Street, Falls Road, Belfast, to Captain Berkeley, Officer Commanding, Belfast Regiment, Irish Volunteers. Begs to be excepted for not being present at musketry practice.

2pp

28 August 1914

Letter, from ‘E’ Company, 1 st West Battalion, Irish Volunteers, Belfast, to Captain Berkeley. Concerns changing of parade day to Sunday.

[1p]

1 September 1914

Letter from William Downey, Hon. Sec., Irish Volunteers, 116 Divis Street, Belfast to Captain George Berkeley. Forwards a list of articles for the ambulance section.

2pp

2 September 1914

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Letter from Timothy Scannell, Chairman; Stephen Keenan, Treasurer; John Maginn, Secretary , ‘E’ Company 1 st West Battalion, St. Peter’s District, Irish Volunteers, to Captain George Berkeley. Apologises for the breach of discipline in making a letter of protest.

2pp

3 September 1914

Letter, from Patrick McElroy, 61 Milford Street, Falls Road, Belfast to Captain George Berkeley, Irish Volunteers, Belfast Regiment. Requests interview in reference to his army experience.

2pp

4 September 1914

Letter, from Joseph Devlin, United Irish League, 39 Upper O’Connell Street, Dublin, to ‘My dear Captain Berkeley’, Grand Central Hotel, Belfast . Concerns letter from Ber keley. He will ‘look up Mr. McGowan and thank him’.

4 September [1914]

Letter from Alice S. Green, 5 Sandford Terrace, [Dublin], to ‘My dear Captain Berkeley’. She was ‘greatly distressed’ not to see him in Belfast. Asks Berkeley to send word as to how things have been settled, and on his successor. ‘I hear you have done splendid work in Belfast. But at what sacrifice to yourself !’.

2pp

5 September 1914

Letter, from Laurence J. Kettle, Hon. Sec. , to Captain George Berkeley, Belfast. The Standing Committee of the Irish Volunteers has directed that a copy of a letter to the Belfast Provisional Committee be sent to Berkeley. (See also PR12/69)

6 September 1914

Letter, from J. Cusack, Lieutenant, Belfast Regiment, Irish Volunteers, 30 Divis Street, to Captain George Berkeley. Concerns appointment of a Mr. Boland as an officer.

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[1p]

6 September 1914

Letter from Patrick Laverty, Solicitor, 21 Chichester Street, Belfast, to Captain George Berkeley, C.O. Belfast Regiment, Irish Volunteers. Reports an incident where two volunteers were drunk and challenged each other to a fight. Their behaviour ‘reflected very badly on our Volunteers and had a most injurious effect on the morale of the men…’.

2pp

6 October 1914

Letter, from M.W. Byrne, ‘Tievemore’, Glenburn Park, Belfast, to Captain George Berkeley. Concerns his son, Leo F. Byrnes’ attempts to get a commission in the British Army. Quotes telegram from Suffield re. qualifications for meeting with Lord Robert.

3pp

13 October 1914

Letter, from Mathew Byrnes, Glenburn Park, Belfast, to Captain George Berkeley. He has received a copy of Berkeley’s letter from Mr. Suffield of London. ‘Can you do anything further in the matt er for us ? Leo is very anxious to do something for our common country at this time of stress…the fact that he has to wear glasses…bars him from enlisting…but does not debar him from holding a commission…’.

2pp

19 October 1914

Letter from M.W. Byrnes, Glenburn Park, Belfast to Captain George Berkeley. Thanks Berkeley for his letter. He would be very glad for him to write to Colonel Moore in reference to his son Leo. Moore, Mr. Redmond and Mr. Devlin are expected in Belfast for an inspection of the Volunteers. Outlines the situation ‘generally’, that Redmond expected the Irish Volunteers would have the same privileges as the Ulster Volunteers ‘viz: Join Kitchiners army en bloc, be under their own officers’ forming battalions of some existing Irish Regiment such as ‘Connaught Rangers, Dublins or Munsters…This I am afraid will not materialise’. Notes that if ‘we were of the same way of thinking as Sir Edward Carson’ the present government would grant anything asked for. In this family ‘both fath er and son are anxious to do their little bit in this war’. Leo is debarred due to his

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sight and he is an officer in the Royal Naval Reserve but the Admiralty told him to ‘carry on’ with his work. Considering the urgent call there is for men, Byrnes conclu des that ‘the ways of the War Office and Admiralty are of a weird and novel kind’.

4pp

19 October 1914

Letter, from Seashan Ua Neill, Óglaigh Na hÉireann, Belfast Regiment, 46 Roe Street, Clifton Park, Belfast, to ‘Sir’. Encloses postal ord er for 11 shillings. ‘Things have not got on as well as they might have since you left’. Some people have very strong opinions as to Ireland remaining neutral, others that she should come forward in thousands. He disagrees with the first, and regarding the second thinks an Irish Brigade should be formed ‘as a complete unit…or allow no man to join’. There are many men ‘including myself who would be anxious to join such a brigade’. Writes concerning the split in the ranks of the Volunteers and McCullough’s following ‘nigh 500 strong’. Hopes ‘that both parties will vie with one another as to which of them will be the most fit to defend our common country Ireland when she needs them’.

2pp

House of Commons

9 June 1914

Letter, from A. Donelan, House of Commons, to ‘Dear Mr. Berkeley’. ‘Mr. John Redmond will be very pleased to have a talk with you…’.

[10] June 1914

Note from A. Donelan, House of Commons, to ‘Dear Mr. Berkeley’, requesting him to send in a card when he arrives to meet Mr. Redmond.

19 June 1914

Letter, from T.J. Hanna, House of Commons, to ‘Dear Sir’. Thanks Berkeley on behalf of Mr. Redmond for his letter.

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25 July [1914]

Letter, from Eustace [Fiernes], House of Commons, to ‘My Dear Mr. Berkeley’. Thanks Berkeley for his letter. ‘You are certainly having a most exciting time…’. The ‘general feeling’ is better and more hopeful and the war is ‘taking peoples attention off Ireland for the moment’. It is a ‘very favourable opportun ity now of raising guns’ as the gun boats have been removed. He has heard from several members (Members of Parilament) that things are moving in this direction’. Notes the ‘abominable’ Dublin business, (possible reference to incidents surrounding the arrival of guns at Howth Co.Dublin) ‘Birrell & Aberdeen ought to go, they have made a shocking mess of things’. He hopes to come over soon to see more of the ‘Nationalist Forces’ and to ‘assist the movement in some way…’.

[2pp]

31 July [1914]

Le tter, from Eustace [Fiernes], House of Commons, to ‘My dear Berkeley’. He has been ‘urging all day our Irish friends in the House’ to get the Irish Volunteers to volunteer and is convinced that this would have ‘enormous value’ for the cause of Home Rule, c ompletely cutting ‘the ground from under the feet of the Unionists & orangemen’. He would come over tomorrow and take command of such a Regiment. ‘Not a moment should be lost…an offer from Belfast Nationalists…would astonish everyone and…leave Castlereagh McCahnout Craig and their Regiments…stone cold’. This must take place at once. He notes that many of the Nationalist members ‘think very well of the idea’ but don’t know how to move and are too slow.

4pp

iii

Offers of Help

10 June 1914

Letter, from Edward Boyle, 1 Kings Bench Walk, Temple, E.C. (London) to ‘Dear Mr. Berkeley’. He is writing to W.M. Crook, P.S. Kershaw and Sir Arthur Lever who ‘may feel in a position to help you’.

2pp

11 June 1914

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Letter from Philip Kershaw , Shobley, Ringwood, Hants., England, to ‘Dear Sir’ (George Berkeley). His knowledge of military affairs is nil but he can fly an aeroplane and will contribute to funds.

2pp

12 August 1914

Letter, from Joseph J. Burns, ‘G’ Company, Royal Engineers, St. Mary’s Barracks, Chatham, England, to ‘Dear Captain’. Marked ‘Confidential’. He has settled down and mobilization is taking a good time, and is pleased Lord Kitchner is at the helm, ‘…there is one important thing he has done and that is the Ir ish business. Has anything been done in the matter yet…’. He offers his services ‘providing it was in conjunction with army movements’.

2pp

18 August 1914

Letter, from M. Burns, 104 Bridge End, Belfast, to Captain Berkeley. Asks If her husband Joseph Burns can get an appointment closer to home.

3pp

28 August 1914

Letter, from Lieutenant Colonel O.H. Fisher, Bradenham Hall, Bognor, East Sussex, England, to ‘Dear Sir’ (Captain George Berkeley). Thanks him for his letter. Requests to know whether there is remuneration available to officers in the Irish Volunteers , as he is not in a position to work gratuitously, although he is ‘in hearty sympathy with the movement’.

4pp

11 September 1914

Letter, from Lieutenant Colonel O.H. Fisher, East Sussex, England. He has been called up for service in the army and on his release will contact Colonel Moore.

2pp

13 September [1914]

Letter from Hervey de Montmorency, (b1868 – d1942), [former Inspector or Commander, Wicklow Brigade, Irish Volunteers Shanganagh Cottage, Ballybrack, Co. Dublin, to ‘My dear Berkeley’. He is coming to Belfast and is

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‘sick of this playing at soldiers in this awful crisis…why don’t the Volunteers…enlist in K’s ( Kitch ner’s) army…’.

2pp

44(a) 14 September 1914

Letter, from Hervey de Montmorency (b1868 – d1942) [former Inspector or Commander, Wicklow Brigade, Irish Volunteers], Ballybrack, Co. Dublin. He is sorry he cannot take over the Belfast Volunteers, ‘it is quite out of the question’. He is joining the Dublin Fusiliers as a Captain and hopes to be sent to the front. He is ‘utterly sick’ of the Volunteers, who have no officers and submit to a ‘contemptible crew of leaders’. Money is spent paying the expenses of ‘crazy creatures’ who make ‘bloodthirsty speeches’. The Volunteers missed the ‘grea test opportunity’ when they failed to back up John Redmond’s speech. He shudders to think what Home Rule means under the leadership of McNeill and O’Rahilly. Concludes, ‘it is better to be a captain in the British army than a Field Marshal in the Irish Volunteers ’.

4pp

44(b) 14 June 1916

Note, from Thomas A. Motion, 1 st Warwickshire Yeomanry, Wrotham, Kent, to George Berkeley, Oxfordshire. He has received his letter and is writing to Colonel Beech.

44(c) 18 October 1916

Letter, from Alice S. Green, 36 Grosvenor Road, Westminster , London, to ‘My dear Captain Berkeley’. Concerns ‘the publications’. She notes that 2 of the ‘very best workers in Irish Mr. Flower and Mr. O’Rahilly…could…organise anything’. Mentions Mr. O’Rahilly app lying for the Irish Chair at Cork.

From Alec and Anne Lawrence

4 July 1914

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Letter, from Alec Lawrence, to ‘My dear Berkeley’. ‘Here is my copy of the little Browning…’.

19 July 1914

Letter from Anne Lawrence, nea r Bath, England, to ‘My dear Mr. Berkeley’. Concerns possible meeting between Alec Lawrence and Berkeley. Mentions a friend, Miss Mabel Dickinson, who is prepared to help the Volunteers, ‘she could command a battalion admirably but Alec thinks there is so much prejudice against militant women that even Joan of Arc herself would be sent back to her family!’.

2pp

28 July 1914

Letter, from Anne E. Lawrence, Brockham End, near Bath, England, to ‘Dear Mr. Berkeley’. She sending on Berkeley’s lett er to Alec, who is going to Belfast ‘purely as a patriotic Irishman…to help & not to hinder’. Mentions ‘that Dublin incident… a wretched affair’. Asks whether the ‘grave shadow of war in Europe will steady the Carsonites’.

3pp

29 July 1914

Letter, from Alec Lawren ce, 3 King’s Bench Walk, Temple, London E.C., to ‘My dear Berkeley’. He will be arriving in Belfast and will come to the Grand Central Hotel.

2pp

29 July 1914

Letter, from Alec Lawrence , 3 King’s Bench Walk, Temple, London E.C., to ‘My dear Berkeley’. He has got a telephone message from his wife at Battalion. She will come with him to Belfast. He is also bringing a young American friend Julian Biddle.

2pp

[August] 1914

Letter, from Anne E. Lawrence, Gr and Central Hotel, Belfast, to ‘My dear Mr. Berkeley’. ‘Alick and I are off by the last train to Dublin…’. Thanks Berkeley for

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his hospitality. She will write to Mrs. Berkeley, and wishes some of his friends would ‘ take some of the burden of details from y ou…’.

3pp

5 August 1914

Letter from Anne E. Lawrence, to ‘Dear Mr. Berkeley’. Mentions Robert Stopford who ‘would have loved to see you in Belfast’. They arrived safely in London, the train ‘greatly delayed by troops on the line’. Note s that she spoke to Diarmuid Coffey on the telephone.

2pp

Irish Volunteers, Dublin

[July] 1914

Letter from Edmond Cotter, MacMahon’s Field, Londonderry, to ‘Dear Berkeley’. Concerns his arrival his with Colonel Moore. ‘Tell Devlin but let th ere be no demonstration at the Terminus…’.

[July] 1914

Letter, from Edmond Cotter to ‘Dear Berkeley’. Concerns Berkeley’s work in Ulster.

11 July 1914

Telegram from Col. Maurice Moore, Irish Volunteers, Dublin, to George Berkeley, Grand Central Hotel, Belfast. ‘Recognising importance Belfast have put off Mayo will stay…’.

1 item

13 July 1914

Copy letter from Maurice Moore (Colonel, Irish Volunteers), Buswell's Hotel, Molesworth Street, Dublin, to ‘Dear Captain Berkeley’. He is ‘extremely sorry’

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he cannot talk with Mr. Burns and Sergeant Major Cusack as he is going to London for a fortnight . He is ‘most anxious to know all about Belfast organisation…the most important place and…most dangerous place in Ireland’.

14 July 1914

Order by Colonel Maurice Moore, Inspector General, Irish Volunteers, appointing Captain George Berkeley as Chief Inspecting Officer for the City of Belfast and counties Down and Antrim.

22 July 1914

Letter, from Colonel Edmond Cotter, Military Inspection Staff, Irish Volunteers, 44 Dawson Street, Dublin, to Captain Berkeley, Chief Inspecting Officer, Belfast. Relates to Berkeley’s resignation as Inspecting Officer for Down and Antrim and his activities in Belfast.

2pp

27 July 1914

Letter, from Colonel Edmond Cotter, Military Inspection Staff, Irish Volunteers, 44 Dawson Street, Dublin, to Captain Berkeley, Chief Inspecting Officer, Belfast. He says Berkeley’s Report is ‘in the highest degree creditable…especially as “Belfast” is so useful that Co Down must await your greater leisure’. He is going to Ulster and there will be a meeting of ‘about 100 responsible & sober -minded residents…to decide the momentous question of defence…’, whi ch he wishes Berkeley to attend. Berkeley was ‘quite right to convey the information…to the Regular military authorities’. Notes the ‘whole administration of Ireland is practically in the hands of our enemies’. (See also PR12/93)

2pp

30 July 1914

Letter, from Edmond Cotter, Military Inspection Staff, Irish Volunteers, MacMahon’s Hotel, to Captain Berkeley. Mentions his ‘kind invitation’. He is sorry to have left Dublin. He thinks Berkeley should remain as senior officer in Belfast and that he would remain until a scheme if defence was drawn up.

4pp

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4 August 1914

Appointments to Staff of Belfast Regiment, Irish Volunteers, ratified by Headquarters Authority (Dublin). 1. A/Lieutenant D. McCullough to be Lieutenant and acting Adjutant 2. J.Cusack to be Garrison Sergeant Major and Quartermaster. Signed Edmond Cotter, Colonel.

2pp

8 August 1914

Letter from Colonel Edmond Cotter, Buswell’s Hotel, Dublin, to ‘Dear Berkeley’. He heard that Berkeley was leaving Ireland due to his wife’s health and ‘can’t help feeling that Ireland is losing one of the most valuable of her sons’. Mentions order re. McCullough and Cusack, and Confidential Memorandum.

2pp

11 August 1914

Letter from Colonel Edmond Cotter, Busw ell’s Hotel, Dublin, to ‘Dear Berkeley’. He has given a Staff Book to ‘your cyclist scout instructor’.

21 August 1914

Letter, from Maurice Moore, Inspector General’s Office, Irish Volunteers, Dublin, to ‘My dear Berkeley’. Regrets neglec ting Berkeley. He thought Berkeley would have left Belfast ‘as the call of domestic affairs was so urgent’.

22 August 1914

Letter, from Robert Barton, for Col. M. Moore, Inspector General’s Office, Irish Volunteers, 16 South Frederick St reet, Dublin, to ‘Dear Sir’, Captain G.Fitzharding Berkeley, Grand Central Hotel, Belfast. Asks Berkeley to consult with Mr. McCullough.

25 August 1914

Letter, from Maurice Moore, Inspector General’s Office, Irish Volunteers, Dublin, to ‘My dear Berkeley’. ‘I hope you understand that I only agree to your

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going away if you find it necessary because I can not hope to get so efficient a substitute…’. Refers to the ‘great danger’ and ‘expensive business’ of a ‘long range’.

26 August 1914

Telegram from ‘Cotter’ (Edmond Cotter) to Captain Berkeley, Grand Central Hotel, Belfast. ‘Please send today your proposed reorganisation’.

1 item

3 September 1914

Letter from J. Crean, Inspector General’s Office, Irish Vo lunteers, 16 South Fredrick Street Dublin, to ‘Dear Capt. Berkeley’, Belfast . Concerns difficulties on giving instruction to the Volunteers on the rifle and air gun.

4 September 1914

Letter, from Maurice Moore, Inspector General’s Office , Irish Volunteers, Dublin, to Captain Berkeley. Asks Berkeley to inform the Belfast Committee that no addresses can be made on political questions on any parade of the Volunteers. Such questions are contrary to the Constitution and approved principles of the Irish Volunteers.

2pp

5 September 1914

Letter, from Standing Committee, Irish Volunteers, 41 Kildare Street, Dublin, to Mr. M. Carolan, Honorary Secretary, Belfast Regiment, Irish Volunteers, 30 Divis Street, Belfast. Directs attention ‘to the order forbidding question s of policy being dealt with by local parts of the organisation’. Refers to copies of resolutions passed by the Belfast Committee.

10 September 1914

Letter from Diarmuid Coffey, Inspector General’s Offic e, Irish Volunteers, 16 South Fredrick Street Dublin, to Captain Berkeley, Belfast. Requests a marked map of your county and ‘as complete a brigade state as you can’.

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1914

Memorandum from Col. Edmond Cotter, Military Inspection Staff, Irish Volunteers. Contains outlines of organisation based on that prepared for Carlow County by Captain Corballis.

2pp

1914

Letter from Edmond Cotter to ‘Dear Berkeley’. Marked ‘non - official’. Outlines procedures regarding correspondence. He wishes a proposal for a state of provisional organisation to be drawn up. Mentions Lt. Col. Esmonde in Waterford. Outlines the organisation as he foresees.

4pp

73(a) 1914

Letter, from Colonel Edmond Cotter, Military Inspection Staff, Irish Volunteers, 206 Brunswick Street, Dublin, to Captain Berkeley, Belfast. Marked ‘Confidential’. Concerns an order to be promulgated in whole or in part.

73(b) 3 June 1916

News clipping marked ‘Col. Maurice Moore’s Statement’. (Moore was Ins pector General of the Irish Volunteers) Statement made a Royal Commission into the Irish Rebellion, giving a history of the Irish Volunteers. (From The Weekly Freeman 3 June 1916)

1 item

vi Relating to other Irish Volunteers North of Ireland Districts

17 July 1914

Letter, from John H. King, Secretary, No. 1 Regimental District, and William F. Smyth, Secretary, No.2 District, Downpatrick, Co. Down, to ‘Dear Sir’ (Captain

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Berkeley, Belfast. Announces meeting of Down County Committee at Hibernian Hall, Castlewellan. Requests Berkeley’s attendance.

18 July 1914

Telegram to Captain Berkeley, Grand Central Hotel. Concerns attendance at meeting to establish County Board Castlewellan.

1 item

19 July 1914

Letter, from Frances J. O’Hare, The Presbytery, Hill Street, Newry, to ‘Dear Sir’ (George Berkeley). Asks Berkeley to come to the County meeting at Castlewellan. He received Berkeley’s address from Mr. Bulmer Hobson.

2pp

22 July 1914

Letter from J. R. White, Royal Arms, Omagh, Co. Tyrone, to ‘My dear Berkeley’. He cannot attend on the 26 th and is getting ‘Tyrone into shape – there are some very good men in the County’.

2pp

24 July 1914

Telegram to Denis McCullough, Howard Street, Bel fast, from ‘Letts’, Cushendall, Co. Antrim. Regards communication with Captain Berkeley.

1 item

30 July 1914

Letter, from Joseph Burns, Commercial Hotel, Downpatrick, to ‘Dear Sir’ (Captain Berkeley). Concerns activities of Volunteers in Co. Down. Mentions rumours in the Royal Irish Constabulary that nationalist gun running was expected at Ardglass.

4pp

1 August 1914

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PR12/

Letter, from G.M. Russell, County Club, Downpatrick, to Captain Berkeley. Concerns meeting of County Committee at Cushendall. Gives times of trains.

4pp

August 1914

Letter from Nancy Letts, Glens of Antrim Hotel, Cushendall, to Captain Berkeley. Asks Berkeley to come to Cushendall to view the Volunteers there.

4pp

August 1914

Letter from Nancy Letts, Cushendall, to Captain Berkeley. She did not go to Belfast and the letter he posted would not have left Cushendall until Thursday. Mentions badges ‘which I designed to be worn by women’, selling well.

4pp

10 August 1914

Letter from J.R. White, Royal Arms, Omagh, to Captain Berkeley. Tells of mobilisation of about 5000 men. He is ‘off to Dublin to find out relations between East & I.V (Irish Volunteers) ’. Thinks it important that the Government deal with Irish Volunteers as a body and enlisted as a district regiment ‘the nucleus of a permanent defence force under the Irish Parliament at end of war’.

2pp

13 August 1914

Letter from Alec Wilson, Belvoir Park, Newtownbreda, Co. Down to ‘Dear M r. Niblock’. He has arranged with Count Gleichen to place the park at the disposal of His Majesty’s forces for drill. When the regulars are not on the ground it is open for either body of Volunteers to use. He will send word when the Irish Volunteers intend to parade.

13 August 1914

Letter from Alec Wilson, Belvoir Park, Newtownbreda, Co. Down to ‘My dear Berkeley’. Encloses a letter, mentions use of ‘the car’ for Irish Volunteers purposes.

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PR12/

14 August 1914

Letter from C.M. Pursell, Downpatrick, to Captain Berkeley. Mentions letter shown to the County Committee an that the Committee ‘…meant no reflection on you…we were very much indebted to you and were sorry you could not manage to work the County yourself…’.

4pp

17 August 1914

Letter, from J.R. White, Captain, Irish Volunteers, Omagh. Concerns the training and selection of officers for the Irish Volunteers. ‘The…only guarantee we have that the Irish Volunteers become efficient and remain distinctly Irish and a genuine National force, is that they should be trained and officered by Irishmen…’.

17 August 1914

Letter, from Alec Wilson, Belvoir Park, Newtownbreda, Co. Down , to ‘Dear Berkeley’. He admits that ‘my neighbours are hopeless. The only thing is that I fancy Redmond & the I.V. have gone far to “cook the goose” in England of late…Carson & Co are…within measurable distance of high treason next week…Use me for the welfare of the I.V. henceforth in whatever way you can’.

31 August 1914

Letter, from M. Russell County Club, Downpatrick, to ‘Dear Captain Berkeley’. Encloses a map with information on East Down Regiment. Concerns organisation of the Regiment.

7pp

6 September 1914

Letter from George Taaffe, Smarmone Castle, Ar dee (County Louth) to ‘Dear Berkeley’. Concerns meeting at Newcastle Co. Down. He is very sorry Berkeley is thinking of giving up Belfast.

1p]

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PR12/

[September] 1914

Letter from H. Letts, Glens of Antrim Hotel, Cushendall, to Captain Berkeley. He has received Berkeley’s letter and showed it to Dr. O’Kane who ‘practically knows every man of the Glens Volunteers by name’. The men ‘can all shoot’, but are feeling neglected as the largest body of Nationalists in Antrim, and enthusiasm is dying out. O ’Kane has written to the Executive Committee in Dublin for arms and an officer to take command. A Unionist officer, Major Stone, is coming for the month of August. He is sorry for the victims in Dublin but ‘nothing could have been better for our cause than the whole affair and the way things turned out’.

4pp

[September] 1914

Letter from J.H. King, Honorary Secretary, Down Company Committee Irish National Volunteers, Maryville, Newcastle, Co. Down to ‘Dear Sir’ (Captain George Berkeley). Concerns appointment of Mr. Burns as military inspector for the area.

vii Letters from George Berkeley

24 July 1914

Draft letter, from Captain George Berkeley, Grand Central Hotel, Belfast, to General Macready, Belfast. Apologises for ent ering into communication ‘in a somewhat informal manner’. He notes that the town (Belfast) ‘..is in a state of some tension’ with ‘reports of a proposed attac k on the Catholic district’. He does not give credence to reports bu t sees it as ‘self evident tha t there is some important demonstration in progress on the Unionist side’. Notes the town is ‘filled with En glish Conservative journalists apparently awaiting some special event…’ and that a body of Ulster Volunteers marched through the Catholic district at 2 a.m. Berkeley notes that he called yesterday upon the Police and Count Gleichen to offer assistance to preserve order. He formally offers Macready the assistance of the Irish Volunteers Belfast Regiment in preserving order if necessary. (See also PR12/4 and PR12/58)

24 July 1914

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PR12/

Draft of PR12/93

3pp

28 July 1914

Letter, from Captain George Berkeley, Officer Commanding (pro tem) Belfast Regiment, Irish Volunteers, Grand Central Hotel, Belfast, to ‘Dear Sir’. Berkeley refers to the conversation in the offices of the Irish Volunteers. It is impossible to recognise private arms or ammunition amongst members owing to the danger in the hands of untrained men. Arms must be served out by and returned to the Central Authority.

2pp

30 July 1914

Orders from Captain Berkeley, concerning training and other activities of Irish Volunteers Belfast Regiment. Instructions such as, musketry instructions at St. Mary’s Hall at 8pm Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday; Regimental office hours for men wishing to join the Irish Volunteers, Gaelic sports.

2 September 1914

Letter from Captain George Berkeley, Grand Central Hotel, Belfast, to ‘Dear Colonel Moore’ (Inspector General’s Office, Irish Volunteers, Dublin). Concerns an ‘annoying’ resolution passed at a meeting of the General Committee, so ‘...injudicious that I told them I would resign and start for home…’. He is as annoyed as anyone at the ‘loss of our men’ and thinks that McCullough is at the bottom of it thoug h ‘it was proposed by a conceited young ass named Conolly…’. Copy of resolution given, concerning instructions to prevent Irish Volunteers enlisting for ‘the furtherance of any war in which we are not as a nation concerned’.

3pp

4 September 1914

Draft letter from Captain George Berkeley, Belfast, to ‘Dear Sir’, John Simon. Concerns ‘anxious’ situation and discontent due to strain of waiting so many months for Home Rule. Berkeley believes that if the Bill is not signed soon ‘there will be an uprising of the Sinn Fein & other extremeists…’. This will take the form of an anti-enlistment campaign. The local organisers of the Irish Volunteers

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PR12/

have seen their best companies ‘depleted by enlistment…to the credit of England not Ireland…’. He does not want to appear ‘an alarmist’, but has been ‘fighting an anti- enlistment attempt in this town…part of a general scheme all over Ireland…’

4pp

viii From R.E. Longfield, Cork

19 August 1914

Letter from R.E. Longfield, Longueville, Mallow, Co . Cork, to ‘Dear George’ (George Berkeley). Longfield has read in a newspaper that Berkeley was commanding Belfast nationalist volunteers. He requests to know their ‘raison d’etre’ and hears that some of the Northern corps are very good but in the South many are merely ‘ nominus numbra ’. Asks what Mr. Redmond’s offer meant. Longfield believes that the Germans have some intention of landing in the South and West of Ireland, Cork Harbour being a ‘very valuable base’ and they may think Ireland would be divided by civil war. Since war was declared he briefly hoped all Volunteers North and South might help in defence of the country.

3pp

100 25 August 1914

Letter, from R.E. Longfield, Mallow, to ‘Dear George’. He has been told that the Irish Volunteers were started by the physical force party in America.. Notes the religious bigotry and intolerance in the North is most deplorable, ‘…the ignorant orange man is for more bigoted than the Catholic of the same class down here…’. He has ‘always got on well’ with his Catholic neighbours, but he is ‘very much afraid of the Roman Catholic church “ne temere” decree and clericalism’. Remarks that the Irish Volunteers have no intention of undertaking the arduous preparation necessary to prove an effective fighting force. As irregulars they would ‘bring only death’ to the locality they attempted to defend, unless officered by competent soldiers under the authority of the Crown. The Ulster Volunteers are ‘an effective fighting force’. The safety of the country should come before Home Rule. He has heard that the Germans sold rifles to the National Volunteers.

6pp

101 2 September 1914

Letter from R.E. Longfield, Cashel, Connemara , to ‘Dear George’. Concerns meeting with Colonel Moore in Dublin, who was ‘ver y complimentary about you, very civil to me’. Mentions offer made to government, the need to put the Irish Volunteers under the War Office and the danger of German invasion.

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PR12/

2pp

102 3 September 1914

Letter from R.E. Longfield, Cashel, Connemara, to George Berkeley. Mentions discussion with Colonel Moore. ‘H.R (Home Rule) has become a v. small matter…’.

103 6 September 1914

Letter from Alberta Longfield, Longueville, Mallow, Co. Cork, to ‘My dear George. ‘As one who has known you since you were a small boy I…must tell you how shocked I am to think you have thrown your lot in with Redmond’s Volunteers’. Mentions young Lord Carbery flying in Cork with a green flag, but who will not settle in Cork and has never shown any real interest in his home or people. Notes that Ireland has always been divided and England is needed to ensure peace and prosperity.

8pp

104 8 September 1914

Letter, from R.E. Longfield, Mallow, to George Berkeley. The Home Rule question is of ‘ v. little importance in face of peril of German invasion’. He doubts that Redmond has much authority over the Irish Volunteers and that their spirit id ‘very Anti English’. He has been told that Home Rule would not conciliate the extreme men, numerous in the Irish Volunteers. ‘In deciding to organise them I fear you & others are forging a weapon that will be turned against you…’.

3pp

105 9 September 1914

Letter from R.E. Longfield, Mallow, to George Berkeley. ‘I did not find one line in your letter of conviction that Home Rule would be Ireland’s salvation…’. The war raging would make ‘every thinking man realise what a miserable thing it would be for Ireland at this moment if she were a ‘nation once again’. Ireland ‘is not important to the Nations unless attached to England. We may suffer individually as residents here…’.

4pp

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