Bureau of Military History “a vibrant source for the research study report”
The Bureau of Military History was established by the Fianna Fail government
in 1947 to gather the recollections of witnesses to events in Ireland from 1913
to 1921. Confidential interviews were collected in over 1770 statements covering 36,000
pages, and they have been available to historians for the past decade. Set up by Oscar Traynor,
the Fianna Fail Minister for Defence, he himself gave a witness statement. W.T Cograve gave a
statement although Eamon De Valera did not. It has a particular significance now as a collation
of first-person narratives that are connected intimately to the current decade of
commemorations.
They provide an incredible insight into the multi-faceted experiences of participants in the full
range of events that occurred over a decade of intense political activity. With an unrelenting
personal tone, the witnesses sketch compelling stories. Fergus McGarry, writing in Rebels:
Voices from the Easter rising (p. xviii), indicates that the rich and obscure detail tells us what
the rebels actually did during the rising – “surprisingly little fighting for the most part, but much
praying and the occasional song and dance”.
Most importantly, they are available online, providing a very powerful source that students can
draw for substantial work in relation to two significant aspects - the analysis of evidence, and
the validity of biography as a hook for historical enquiry.
Using the witness statements
The witness statements of men and women involved in the
Bureau’s history project can be used at Junior Cycle to
exemplify the historical process, in Transition year to
underpin substantial investigation work, and at Leaving
Certificate to supplement the presentation of this
revolutionary decade, while also providing a unique archive
for students to draw upon as part of the Research Study
Report [RSR].
In terms of the RSR, it is vital to have access to good quality
resources, and the witness statements provide an excellent
starting point for students looking to engage with topics of
national and local significance. It is important to establish
the significance of the evidence selected from any witness
statement. Christine Counsell, from the University of
Cambridge, has indicated a concise 5-Rs test for historical
significance – is it remarkable, remembered, resulting in
change, resonant, and revealing?
1913, Jim Larkin in Sackville street
http://comeheretome.com/2013/01/
29/the-funeral-of-jim-larkin/
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Bureau of Military History “a vibrant source for the research study report”
Aine Ryan, a Cumann na mBan member.
As an instance of the female experience during the decade,
I have selected Aine Ryan’s statement to highlight the
intriguing narratives that emerge from the witness
statements, and show how they might appeal to students.
Aine Ryan, a Cumann na mBan member from Tullamore, Co
Offaly, illuminates the major split in her town over
participation in the world war. She provided basic medical
assistance during the rising in Dublin, eventually ending up
in the GPO. At one stage, she helped carry a zinc bath
full of food across Sackville Street. She remembers reciting
the rosary, remarking that she did not “know where all the
Cumann na mBan met for the first
religious objects that all the people in the GPO were
time, today, at Wynn's Hotel on Abbey
wearing came from”. After a speech from Pearse, she left
Street in Dublin
Photo: National Library of Ireland
the GPO and the battle area under a flag of truce,
remembering the abuse thrown at them by ladies in
Summerhill. Released by the military after interrogation, she gives a vivid portrait of the
difficulties over food supply. She returns to Tullamore, moves back to Dublin, collects for the
dependants of prisoners, carries secret messages about British forces, and tries to help a
friendly Black and tan after the conflict. She recalls the bitterness of the Treaty split in Cumann
na mBan, and witnesses the first battles of the civil war in Dublin. Unlike many of her
colleagues, she avoided arrest, and so held on her job.
Other females that can be studied include Maud Gonne McBride, Kathleen Lynn (Irish Citizen
Army), (Helena Molony (Irish Citizen Army), Min Ryan (Cumann na mBan, girlfriend of Sean
MacDermott), Nancy Wyse Power (Cumann na mBan), Nora O'Brien (daughter of James
Connolly), and Aine Ceant (widow of Eamon Ceannt).
The Funeral of O’Donovan Rossa
I want to illustrate also that events can also be presented in a personal and vivid manner
through the statements, and this makes them especially valuable for ordinary level students.
Sean T. O’Kelly recalled standing beside Patrick Pearse as he delivered his graveside oration: “I
very well remember the profound impression Pearse’s speech on that day made ... He evidently
had his speech, which was not too long, well memorised for he used no notes on the occasion
… The I.R.B. and the Irish Volunteers were very proud of having been able to accomplish this
military demonstration despite the orders of the British against the carrying of arms.” Aine
Ryan came to Dublin for the funeral of O’Donovan Rossa in August 1915, and “watched it pass
with my sister at the corner of Frederick Street. I think it was the first time I saw the Cumann
na mBan uniform.”
Another witness statement from Diarmuid O’Donneabhain, Co. Cork, describes how his band
arrived to play at the funeral. However the crowds were so vast, they could not even get to
Glasnevin: “When we arrived at Kingsbridge Station for the Rossa funeral, a Dublin officer
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Bureau of Military History “a vibrant source for the research study report”
escorted us, not down the quays, but to the right. It might be James’s Street.
We were halted at a street crossing. We never reached Glasnevin on that day,
as we were dismissed before we arrived at the Mater Hospital. We had refreshments and
walked around until time came to mobilise for train to Cork.”
Backing it up
There is a wealth of high quality sources on the revolutionary decade that can be viewed in
order to broaden the study away from the witness statements. I would encourage students to
make use of four potential sources to provide the necessary context. The first is to draw on the
indispensable search service provided by public libraries. The other three are hosted by
Scoilnet.ie – the superb Dictionary of Irish Biography, The Irish Times digital archive, and the
Ireland Collection, giving students access to a range of micro-studies on Irish history.
Glasnevin Trust: http://www.glasnevintrust.ie/visit-glasnevin/news/the-fools-the-fools-the-fools/index.xml
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