A RIFLE SMUGGLED into Ireland as part of the Howth gun running in 1914 and later found in Seán O’Casey’s house is part of a exhibition marking the centenary of the Irish Volunteers.
The exhibition launched today at Glasnevin Cemetery also celebrated the publication of a book which detailed the making of the 1913 Lockout Tapestry.
The German Mauser Rifle in question was made in 1870 and landed at Howth in 1914 aboard the Asgard as part of a major consignment of arms. The rifle’s stock has been cut off to allow female members of the Volunteers smuggle it beneath their clothes.
It was later retrieved from Sean O’ Casey’s house on the East Wall Road.
Other artifacts featured include Roger Casement’s personal bible from 1915 and a letter from Pádraig Pearse to Joseph Plunkett.
Volunteers
The exhibition also sheds light on the stories of some of the volunteers who are interred in graves in Glasnevin. John Lee from lower Rutland Street in Dublina volunteer was later wounded in Gallipoli and was brought home to die in Dublin.
James Grace from Summerhill fought on Mount Street in the 1916 Rising and survived before living into old age.
Helena Moloney from Rathmines who, as part of the Irish Citizens Army fought in City Hall in 1916, later became president of ICTU.
The exhibition was launched by Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht Jimmy Deenhinan who called on members may have artefacts like those mentioned above to bring them forward as part of commemorations and memorials being held to mark key events such as the Easter Rising and the First World War.
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