Identity Statement
| Title | Irish Volunteers, Galway City Corps Minutes |
| Archive Reference | IE GCCA/GS01/03 |
| Web Link to this Entry | https://iar.ie/archive/irish-volunteers-galway-city-corps-minutes |
| Creation Dates | 4 May-20 September 1914 |
| Extent Medium | 1 item / 30pp |
Context
Creator(s): Irish Volunteers, Galway City Corps
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Administrative History ↴
The Irish Volunteers - Óglaigh na hÉireann - were founded on 25 November 1913 at a public meeting held in the Rotunda Rink in Dublin. Founders of the Volunteers included Pádraig Pearse, The O'Rahilly, a member of the governing body of the Gaelic League, and Professor Eoin Mac Néill. The Manifesto of Committee of Galway City Corps states they were commenced in Galway on 10 December 1913. By June 1914 the Galway Corps had 600 members but were poorly armed. 'The movement progressed in Galway notwithstanding the sneers and scoffs of those who had not the courage to think for themselves and was led and financed by the men who are now called "the insignificant minority" by those who were afraid or ashamed to join when the organisation was originally started in the city' Conference organised for 15 May 1914 to encourage the young men of Galway to join. It was decided at the meeting that the original Committee, together with the delegates then present, should form the Provisional Committee for the government of the Volunteer movement in Galway until such time as a democratic and elected committee should come into power. Various city organisations were invited, such as the Claddagh Hurling Club, City Gaels, Franciscan Cemetery, Bohermore Band, Gaelic League etc. According to the Minutes the Corps decided on 24 June 1914 to open a collection for yhe purpose of arming the Volunteers of the City. The collection was never properly completed. Officers elected to various companies, e.g. Company Captain, 1st Lieutenant and 2nd Lieutenant. 'Signatories of the manifesto stand for the original constitution of the Irish Volunteer organisation via "'To secure or maintain the liberties of the Irish nation. They dispute the right of any section of Irishmen to cajole or coerce the men of Ireland to join the active forces at the Front, especially when the persuasion and attempted coercion comes from men who themselves show no desire to either go to the Front themselves or send their sons thereto and our motto is and will remain "Men from ..Think of the future when Ireland is free". -
Archival History ↴
Unknown -
Immediate Source Acquisition ↴
Unknown
Content & Structure
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Scope & Content: Irish Volunteers, Galway City Corps ↴
Notebook with handwritten Committee minutes recording attendance, and business transacted, signed by the Chairman. Items discussed include election of officers, such as that of Dr. Walsh as Secretary (3 July 1914), collection of funds, such as for equipment, and training, such as target practice and drills. Includes at rear of volume rough [draft] of Manifesto of Committee of Galway City Corps relating to its original constitution.
Includes resolution of 12 August 1914, ‘That we, the members of the Committee of the Galway City Volunteers hereby cordially approve and heartily endorse the statesmanlike speech of Mr John E. Redmond in which he offered the services of the Irish Volunteers for home defence during the present crises and express the hope that both the Ulster and Irish Volunteers will cordially unite and cooperate for the purpose of defending Ireland against foreign aggression’.
Includes Notice of Motion of 18 September 1914 ‘That notwithstanding the opinions expressed by inspecting officers of the Irish Volunteers or by other people no matter how high their estimation in Irish Public Opinion, the Committee of the Galway City Corps of the Irish Volunteers is of opinion that the volunteers under its jurisdiction should abide by the constitution originally laid down for the Volunteers and arm and equip themselves for the one purpose of securing and maintaining the rights and liberties common to all Irishmen’.
Includes several insertions including a quotation from Thomas McDonogh & Sons for ’60 wooden guns’ (8 September 1914).
Members of Council: Allen, M J ; Barrett ; Carter, J; Cusack; Duffy Luke (Chairman); Flaherty, W; Flanagan, T; Glynn; Hardiman, F.; Hosty, J.; Hynes, T.; Loftus, P.; Meagher, Captain.; Nicolls, G.; O’Malley, C.; O’Neil, J.; Pringle, J.; Redington, James; Ussher, Patrick; Walsh Dr (Secretary).
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Appraisal Destruction ↴
Permanent Retention -
Arrangement ↴
1 item – no arrangement applicable
Conditions of Access & Use
| Access Conditions | Available online at www.galway.ie/digitalarchives/ . Unrestricted access. The material in this collection is available to all bona fide researchers by appointment only, and subject to the conditions of access governing the consultation of archival material at Galway County Council Archives. |
| Conditions Governing Reproduction | No material may be reproduced from this collection without the written permission of the archivist, and reproductions are subject to the conditions of access. |
| Creation Dates | 4 May-20 September 1914 |
| Extent Medium | 1 item / 30pp |
| Material Language Script | English |
| Finding Aids | Small collections guide Archive Web Link → |
Allied Materials
| Copies Information | Available online at www.galway.ie/digitalarchives/ |
Descriptive Control Area
| Archivist Note | Patria McWalter |
| Rules/Conventions | ISAD(G): General International Standard Archival Description. 2nd ed. Ottowa: International Council on Archives, 2000. |
| Date of Descriptions | 2003 |