Eighteen-year-old IRA Volunteer and medical student Kevin Barry was captured on 20 Sep. 1920 during an ambush of a British army supply lorry at Monks’ Bakery at the corner of Church Street an…

John Cannon of Drimindoo, Westport, County Mayo. A gardener or farm labourer by trade joined the Irish Volunteers in or about 1916 and served with E Company, 3 Battalion, 4 Western Brigade. Cannon …

Almost 28 years after his shooting, and after many appeals, the final rejection by the Department of Defence of Michael Foynes’ application. Introduction On the night of 10 December 1922 Nati…

The 20th release of MSPC files contains the pension applications of brothers Thomas McKeown (DP3269) and Francis McKeown (MSP34REF62797), who were shot and wounded by B-Specials during a raid on th…

The 20th release of MSPC material contains new first-hand evidence relating to an attempted massacre of five IRA prisoners in County Kerry on 7 March 1923. It occurred on the same day that the Nati…

Letter from Thomas Ruane, former OC North Mayo Brigade, IRA, and Chairman, North Mayo IRA Brigade Committee, to Michael Cremen, Secretary to the Referee, Military Service Pensions Act, 1934, queryi…

Highlights from Release 20 of the MSPC (July 2026)1. Interesting pre/post conflict stories & family connections2. Fatalities3. Intelligence4. Interesting incidents5. Wounds and injuries6. Post-…

Since 1990, the Military Archives has been the official place of deposit for records of the Irish Defence Forces, the Department of Defence and Ireland's…

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Although they are not always easy to identify unless you know what to look for, documents beyond simple membership listings can also be found in the Nominal Rolls series. Ana McNulty (1889–1975) se…

Since 1990, the Military Archives has been the official place of deposit for records of the Irish Defence Forces, the Department of Defence and Ireland's…

Letter from “Mrs Higgins”, sister of Mohill shooting victim Patrick McKenna and found on Terence McQuaide’s military service pension file. Her hopes were to be disappointed. On th…

Introduction Smyth, Gerald Bryce Ferguson (1885–1920), joined the British army in 1905, served in France during World War I and owing to wounds lost his left arm in October 1914. He was promoted to…

Release 18 from the MSPC brings to light the tragic case of the Mansfield family of Mullinahone, County Tipperary. Philip Mansfield (DP3005) 1888-1931. Served as Adjutant, Mullinahone Company, 7 Ba…

On the left - One of the few personal photographs found so far in the collection. Margaret Kelly, widow of Patrick Kelly MSP34REF19983

John Keane (MSP34REF1992) was born in Kilkenny in 1892 and joined the Irish Volunteers in 1916. He later left his position as a draper’s assistant in Kenny’s, High Street, Kilkenny and became a member of the Active Service Unit (Flying Column) under the command of George O'Dwyer (24SP12814). Keane took part in the ambush at Coolbawn, County Kilkenny on 18 June 1921 in which two IRA members…

Highlights from Release 18 of the MSPC (June 2025)1. Key Highlights2. Parliamentary politics and civic life3. Interesting incidents4. Arms work and intelligence5. Interesting post conflict stories6…

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Since 1990, the Military Archives has been the official place of deposit for records of the Irish Defence Forces, the Department of Defence and Ireland's…

ALT: a man is sweating while wearing headphones and making a face

Unsurprisingly, there are very few French claimants in the MSP Collection. In fact, the case of Louis Marie (1900–1957) is the only one…

Cutting from the Irish Independent newspaper of 12 April 1923 reporting the Tuam executions. This cutting was submitted by Honor Moylan in support of her dependent’s claim in respect of her s…