The document discusses the role of archivists in Ireland’s decade of centenaries, emphasizing the need for enhanced accessibility and digitization of archival materials. It outlines various correspondence and documents related to the arrest and amnesty of Liam Deasy, detailing negotiations and discussions among key political figures during a tumultuous period in Irish history. The collection includes telegrams, letters, and other materials that reflect the complex political landscape of early 1923.

1. Type relevant Irish
language Unit Name into
this text box in Title Master.
Type relevant English
language Unit Name into
this text box in Title Master.
The Relevance of the Archivist in the
Complexity of Commemoration:
Ireland’s Decade of Centenaries
Kate Manning
Principal Archivist
UCD Archives
James Joyce Library
University College Dublin
Belfield
Dublin 4
Cartlann UCD
Leabharlann James Joyce
An Coláiste Ollscoile, Baile Átha Cliath
Belfield
Baile Átha Cliath 4
www.ucd.ie/archives
@ucdarchives | facebook.com/ucdarchives

2. Initial statement by advisory group on
centenary commemorations:
“the opportunity to encourage scholarship
and its dissemination at national and local
level must be used as fully as possible, with
particular emphasis on archival
development. There needs to be an
emphasis on accessibility and digitisation of
source material, both in Ireland and in
Britain, both during the commemoration
period and as a legacy of it”
— www.ahrrga.gov.ie/app/uploads/2015/07/Advisory_Group_Statement.pdf

6. P7/B/284 January–November 1923
295pp
Material relating to the arrest of Liam Deasy and subsequent amnesty offered by the Government. File contains material written in shorthand
(c8pp). Material arranged in reverse chronological order.
Includes:
 Telegraph entitled 'proclamation offer of amnesty' from Risteard O Maolchatha [Richard Mulcahy], General Commander in Chief,
notifying that the government is willing to offer amnesty to any man holding arms against the government who surrenders on or before
18 February 1923 (9 February 1923, 4pp).
 Material relating to Republican prisoners, including Éamon de Valera, in Kilmainham Jail, such as typed excerpts of conversations
between Dr H. Moore and the hunger strikers [Austin] Stack and [Thomas] Derrig discussing probable terms of settlement as well as
noting the prisoners' medical conditions and that of the prison; a list of questions from M[ulcahy] to put to Éamon de Valera and the
Republican Executive; typescript copy of letter from Padraig O' Ruitleis, Acting President, to Maire Nic Suibhne [Mary MacSwiney], with
answers to the aforementioned questions (18 November 1923, 1p) (November 1923, 58pp).
 Correspondence between A. Ó Raithile [Prof. Alfred O'Rahilly], University College Cork, and Richard Mulcahy, urging Mulcahy to release
untried political prisoners by 1st December. O'Rahilly writes that any deaths arising from the hunger strikes will 'revolutionize Ireland
once more, and will let loose passions and unreasoning national sentiments which will endanger our hard-won measure of freedom' (8
November 1923, 2pp).
 Copy memorandum from Eoin MacNeill noting points discussed with certain members of Cumann na nGaedheal in relation to the peace
treaty (13 November 1923, 3pp).
 Typescript copy of interview between the President and Donal Hannigan and M. J. Burke of the Neutral I.R.A. Members' Association
concerning reaching a truce (27 February 1923, 9pp).
 Typescript translation of a cypher message addressed to the Commander in Chief and Major General [Micheal] Brennan in reference to a
message delivered by Rev. Dr. Murphy O.S.A., Limerick, in which it is expressed that Daniel Breen and Jeremiah Kiely wish to leave the
country and that they are willing to give up their arms to do so. Murphy asks that Breen's 'past service' not be forgotten (28 February
1923, 1p).
 Typescript letter from M. J. Burke, the Neutral I.R.A. Member's Association discussing the terms for a one month truce to facilitate
negotiation between Republicans and the Provisional Government (16 February 1923, 2pp).
 Typescript message to the Commander-in-Chief noting that Thomas Barry, 'Irregular leader', has made a personal peace offer. It is
hoped that no executions will take place before the formal offer is made as this will most likely collapse their peace efforts (19 February
1923, 1p).
 Typescript copy letter from Sean McSweeney to the imprisoned Liam Deasy conveying his hopes that the fight will continue and that
there will not be a truce. He also notes that many 'Free Staters' are against the executions (5 February 1923, 4pp).
 Newspaper cutting entitled 'Interests of freedom not served by continuance of hostilities' which prints a statement from Liam Deasy
explaining his personal position, such as addressing the circumstances leading to his stay of execution, his attempts to communicate
with his colleagues on the Army Executive and his views on achieving peace (not dated, 2pp).
 Form of undertaking signed by twenty-seven members of Faheeran, 1st Battalion, Athlone Brigade stating that they will not take up any
weapons of destruction in order to allow the Government to carry out the work of the Nation, and to prevent any further bloodshed
between both sides. It notes the weapons surrendered, including items such as revolvers and bomb shells (6 February 1923, 2pp).
 Handwritten note by Liam Deasy, Borstal Barracks, Clonmel, to Major General John T. Prout stating 'I accept and will aid in immediate
and unconditional surrender of all arms and men as required by Gen[eral] Mulcahy' (27 January 1923, 1p).
 Handwritten note from [Richard Mulcahy], Commander-in-Chief, to Prout, noting that a stay of execution has been confirmed, possibly