Captain George Berkeley Descriptive List (Ref. PR12)

PR12/

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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