(William) Liam Healy Collection

Repository: UCC Library Archives Service

Identity Statement

Title(William) Liam Healy Collection
Archive ReferenceIE BL/PP/LH
Web Link to this Entryhttps://iar.ie/archive/william-liam-healy
Creation Dates1923-1971
Extent Medium4 items

Context

Creator(s): Healy family

  • Administrative History ↴

    Born at Lackabawn, Donoughmore c. 1900, Healy joined in 1918 the Irish Volunteers, becoming a member of E Company 1st Battalion Cork No. 1 Brigade. He was involved in the attacks on Blarney Police Barracks and the attack on all City Police Barracks in Cork City in 1921. At the outbreak of the Civil War, he joined the Republican side. Captured by Free State forces, he was court-martialled on a charge of possession of arms and was executed by firing squad on 13 March 1923. He is buried at Donoghmore Co. Cork.

  • Archival History ↴

    This collection was deposited in March 2002 by Mr. John O’Connell of Coulrourke, Knockyrourke, Donoughmore, Co. Cork.

  • Immediate Source Acquisition ↴

    Donation

Content & Structure

  • Scope & Content: Healy family ↴

    Memorabilia relating to the Irish patriot Liam Healy. Including a letter from Liam Healy, Cork County Jail, to his father, informing him of the date of his execution; a printed memorial for the officers and Volunteers of the 1st Cork Brigade, IRA; tss of a ballad “Dedicated to the memory of ‘Willie Healy’ E. Coy. 1st Bat. 1st Cork Brigade”; and a photocopy of a booklet produced to commemorate the ‘Dripsey Ambush Golden Jubilee’.

  • Appraisal Destruction ↴

    Permanent Retention

  • Arrangement ↴

    1. 12 March 1923

    Letter from Liam Healy, Cork County Jail, to his father, informing him of the date of his execution “I know you will feel awful when you get this letter. Father dont take it to heart for I am not ashamed to die like many more who went before me”. Requests his father pass on his remembrances to named individuals and exhorts him not to be downhearted. Requests masses to be said for the repose of his soul. Adds a priest heard his confession. Closes requesting his family and friends not to bear any grudge against individual members of the firing squad but to “shake hands with them as I myself am going to”. Signs himself William Healy. 2pp

    2. [nd]

    Printed memorial for the officers and Volunteers of the 1st Cork Brigade, IRA “Who fell, were murdered, or executed for, fighting against English Dominion”. Features the reproduction of a photograph if Liam Lynch. Gives the date of William Healy’s execution as 16 March 1923. 2pp

    3. [nd]

    Tss of a ballad “Dedicated to the memory of ‘Willie Healy’ E. Coy. 1st Bat. 1st Cork Brigade”. Begins “Thou are gone from us forever, today Thou art at rest./ Joined with the Irish martyrs, in that great home of the Blest.” 1p

    4. Feb. 1971

    Photocopy of a booklet produced to commemorate the ‘Dripsey Ambush Golden Jubilee’ (1921-1971). Features a short biography of the Volunteers (including Liam Healy) who took part in that action. 16pp

Conditions of Access & Use

Creation Dates1923-1971
Extent Medium4 items
Material Language ScriptEnglish
Finding Aids Descriptive list Archive Web Link →

Allied Materials

There are no Allied Materials

Descriptive Control Area

Archivist NoteEmer Twomey
Rules/ConventionsISAD(G): General International Standard Archival Description. 2nd ed. Ottawa: International Council on Archives, 2000.
Date of Descriptions2003