Micheal Collins and 'The Squad'.

[tommobecket]

Many thanks Capel Street man, I'm hoping to get over to Dublin early next year so will make visit to NA a priority. I actually received a phone call from Cathal Brugha barracks to let me know they had no information on my grandfathers membership of the Free State army (!) and that his uniform, although not able to make a definitive confirmation, appeared to be indicative of the Irish army during the WOI, which matches with some stories about his run ins with the tans. Although frustratingly he doesn't record any of this in his pension record! I've kind of given up hope of finding anything that records his activity post 1916 and assume he just wanted, like many, to put it all behind him following the civil war, but am always hopeful so thankyou for your guidance.
Rattlerbyrne - are we related?! If so, then the photo will be first evidence of link to Collins and I'll have found a new cousin! (my) Denis's wife was Mary Byrne (Stapleton) ... and yours ... please reply quickly, I'm holding my breath ...

[thescorpe]

hi go to now ye,r talkin boards .ie .know vinny byrnes daughter lives in england.his grea nephew is on there.

[Gary Deering]

Hi there The Scorpe, I was on Boards.ie & Vinnys Great Nephew is there I sent him a PM about something I needed to know & got a quick reply seems a nice lad. Gary

[thescorpe]

hope it was helpfull.
goodluck with your search.there was alot with that name try get infomation from irish embassy

[emer]

Hello, not sure if this is the right thread for me. I am looking for more information on my Great Aunt Lily Mernin ( spy for Michael Collins in the castle) and my Godfather and family Piaras Beaslai. I know he fought in the uprising and was connected with Michael Collins closely. My father John (sean) Maguire is in Piaras Beaslais collection of photos in the National Gallery as a child. His parents apparently died when he was born and he was never allowed to ask questions. He was raised in a foster family until he was 13. At this time Lily Mernin and Piaras Beaslai took him into their care. Any help would be appreciated. I am in Australia

[capel street man]

Hello Emer, you come from a great family, your great Aunt made a Witness Statement, no 441, a copy is in the National Archives, Bishop Street, Dublin,it is not on-line yet but you could order a copy. I have a W.S. no. 715 made by Colonel Frank Saurin, who was a member of G.H.Q. Intelligence, he mentions Lily Mermin, quote-
One of my chief agents was a Miss Lily Mermin, a cousin of Piaras Beaslai. She was a typist in Dublin Castle and did typing work for Collins at 118 Clonliffe Road, the home of Pat Moynihan. Moynihan was a postal official in the Sorting Office, Rotunda Rink, and was the agent who gave us the information which led to the various raids on enemy mails. In addition to Lily Mermin being one of our agents at Dublin Castle, she was also attached to me for visiting hotel lounges and the like for spotting and identification work of enemy personnel who used to frequent such places.She and my wife used to attend whist drives run by F. Company Auxiliaries in Dublin Castle. It was usual for one or two of the Auxiliaries to see the ladies to the tram.I followed from outside the Castle, all the time taking a mental description of the men- height, colour, features, clothes, etc. Subsequently I was given their names, rank and official position. un-quote.
She was a truly remarkable lady, I also have books written by P. Beaslai, hope you find this of interest.
C.S.M.

[emer]

Hi Capel St Man. Thank you so much for this information. I know I was told that Aunt Lily used to walk down the street with her arm through the arm of one of Michael Collins men and when she saw one of the enemy from the castle she would squeeze his arm, as a signal, My father has her bravery medal still from the IRA. I would love to and intend to get Piaras Beaslai's books that he has written. Unfortunately my father had access to all this when his 'uncle' as he knew him...died, but was grieving and had no interest in his things. I do have a great photo of Aunt Lily as a young woman as well as copies of the photos of my father that Piaras Beaslai has in his collection in the Irish Gallery. Thanks again

[capel street man]

Hello emer, Piaras Beaslai left all his works, letters, etc. to the National Library of Ireland, you can go on line and check the documented list, it is under The Piaras Beaslai Papers, it is a massive and very important collection.
A two volumed boxed set, recently re published by P.B. is a must read, entitled Michael Collins and the Making of a new Ireland,, published by Edward Burke 2008. It was first published in November 1926, re-printed December 1926,  I S B N 978-0-946130-43-6.
P.B. was given permission by the Collins family to write the book and it gives a great first hand account of that period of Irish history.
I use a book shop in Dublin for my research books , it is called Stokes Books, if you are interested you can email him at - stokesbooks[at]eircom.net to check cost of postage etc to Australia, you could also check out Ea sons Bookshop in Dublin.
I would be interested in seeing the photo, are you able to send it ?
Good luck
C.S.M.

Moderator's Note : obscured business email address

[corisande]

capel street man

In an earlier reply you posted an extract from WS by Paddy Kennedy on the shooting of Ryan. Could you possibly look up what Kennedy has to say about the Gresham Hotel shooting on Bloody Sunday

Having read Meg Moran's book on Patrick Moran "Executed for Ireland". Moran led that group, I am trying to tie up my notes on the Gresham hotel