Tomás O'Donohoe papers

Collection

Identifier: BC-2022-055

Staff Only

Dates

Creation: 1916 - 1933

Scope and Contents

Papers include pages from a journal belonging to Tomás O'Donohoe detailing his surrender, capture, and imprisonment after the Easter Rising of 1916. The journal also contains drawings and sketches, a number of inspirational quotes, and some names and addresses of others who were with O'Donohoe at the time of his capture. A volume titled The Service Revolver and How to Use It inscribed and annotated by O'Donohoe, a poem "To Wish You Well" sent to S. Jordan, and a letter signed by Sinéad de Valera from 1933 complete the papers.

Creator

O'Donohoe, Tomás, 1889-1963 (Person)

Language of Materials

This collection includes materials in English and Irish.

Restrictions on Access

Collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

These materials are made available for use in research, teaching and private study, pursuant to U.S. Copyright Law. The user must assume full responsibility for any use of the materials, including but not limited to, infringement of copyright and publication rights of reproduced materials. Any materials used for academic research or otherwise should be fully credited with the source. The original authors may retain copyright to the materials.

Biographical note: Tomás O'Donohoe

Tomás O’Donohoe (Thomas O’Donoghue) was born in 1889 and grew up on a small farm in Reenard on the south Kerry coast, one of eight children born to Michael and Ellen O’Donohoe. As a young man he lived in London working for the postal service, and joined the London branches of Conradh na Gaeilge, the Irish Republican Brotherhood, and the Irish Volunteers. Anticipation of rebellion drew O’Donohoe back to Ireland and he arrived in Dublin on Good Friday 1916 as plans for the Easter Rising were being finalized. He joined the republican garrison in the General Post Office under the command of The O’Rahilly. O’Donohoe was interned in Wandsworth, Wakefield, and Frongoch following his arrest after the Rising. He was released from custody in July 1916 and, on refusing to enlist in the British Army, O'Donohoe was sentenced to fifty days hard labor and transferred to the Tower of London in January 1917.

After his release from prison, O'Donohoe joined the Cahersiveen Company of the Irish Volunteers under the command of Diarmuid O’Connell. He took part in the Irish War of Independence and fought primarily in County Kerry. During this time, O’Donohoe also entered politics as a member of Kerry County Council and was acting chairman of the Council in 1920. A year later, he was elected to Dáil Éireann representing the Kerry-Limerick West constituency. O’Donohoe opposed the Treaty and voted against it in the Dáil. He fought with the anti-Treaty forces during the Civil War and was imprisoned in 1923 in Newbridge, County Kildare, going on hunger strike for 43 days before he was released. He was elected Teachta Dála for Kerry-Limerick West in 1922 and for Kerry in 1923. O’Donohoe retired from politics at the general election of June 1927. He was prohibited from taking up a job in teaching because of a ban on republicans from roles in the public service and he opened a small shop. After Fianna Fáil came to power in 1932, O’Donohoe secured a post in the civil service in Dublin, where he died in 1963.

Sources:

O'Shea, Owen. "Brother against brother: the Civil War in Kerry", June 9, 2022. https://owenoshea.ie/brother-against-brother-the-civil-war-in-kerry/ (accessed August 29, 2024).

Extent

1 Linear Feet (2 containers)

Additional Description

Abstract

Papers of Irish politician, revolutionary, and nationalist Tomás O'Donohoe, including pages from his journal detailing his experiences after the Easter Rising of 1916, a volume related to riflery, and a letter from Sinéad de Valera.

Arrangement

Alphabetical.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Purchased from Kennys Bookshop & Art Galleries, 2022.

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