Roinn Cosanta. Bureau of Military History, 1913-21
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ROINN COSANTA. BUREAU OF MILITARY HISTORY, 1913-21. STATEMENT BY WITNESS. DOCUMENT NO. W.S. 916 Witness Denis McCullough, 12 Oakley Road, Ranelagh, Dublin. Identity. Member of I.R.B. 1901 -; Member of Supreme Council of I.R.B. 1909 - Subject. Replies to Questionnaire prepared by Bureau on T.R.B. and other national organizations, 1900-1916. Conditions, if any, Stipulated by Witness. Nil File No. S.62 Form B.S.M.2 lst 1. (a) Cumann-na-nGael Was formed on the 0ctober 1900, and the National Council on the 6th June, 1993. (b) Were the two bodies separate and distinct, and what were their aims and objects? with or and when? (c) Were you associated the former, both, 2. The Fianna Eireann was founded in Belfast by Bulmer Hobson in June, 1902. (a) How was it organised, controlled and administered? (b) Who were the officiers? 3. "The Resurrection of Hungary", Part 1, by Arthur Griffith was published on the 1st August, 1904. (a) How soon after that date was the meeting held in St. Mary's Hall? (b) How did the idea of the Dungannon Clubs arise, and what is the origin of the title? (c) Who attended the meetings and what was the nature of the Subjects discussed? (d) Where were the Headquarters and who were the executive and/or officiers? 4. The Sinn Fein League was formed in Dundalk in April, 1907. (a) When did the previous meeting take place? (b) Have you any recollection of the persons, or the nature of the discussions which took place? (a) Why was the Sinn Fein League formed having regard to the existence of the "National Council"? 5. Bulmer Hobson is said to have been expelled from the I.R.B. because he advocated the admission of Redmond's nominees to the Volunteer Executive. (a) Were you present at this particular meeting? (b) If so, what actually took place? 6. The Military Council (comprising Pearse, ceannt, Plunkett, Clarke, McDermott) was appointed by the Supreme Council of the I.R.B. in February, 1915. (a) What directions were given by the Supreme Council to the Mi1itary Council and what were the specific functions of the latter? (b) Did the Supreme Council decide that there was to be a Rising? When was this to take place? Was the Military Council appointed, inter alis, for the purpose of prepar- ing plans for the Rising? If so, were the plans submitted to the Supreme Council? (c) Was the Military Council required to report back to the Supreme Council and did it do so? (d) What were the relations between the Military Council and the Supreme Council? 7. Joe Plunkett (a member of the Military Council), is said to have; gone to America in August or September, 19l5, with Plans for Rising for submission to the Revolutionary Committee of Clan na Gael. (a) Was this visit discussed by the Supreme Council before his departure and subsequently on his return? 8. The disappearance of Connolly in January, 1916, is said to have been arranged by the Military Council or certa in mem- bers of it, in order to prevent him taking precipitate mil- itary action, or to come to some agreement with him. Can you give any information in this connection? 9. It is said that Connolly was not appointed by the Supreme Council to the Military Council in February, l9l5, but that in actual fact, he was only co-opted a member some three weeks after his alleged disappearance, l.e. sometime in February 1916. (a) Can you throw any light on this matter? 10. (a) Was Roger Casement a member of the I.R.B? (b) If so, by whom, when, and to what Circle was he sworn in? As as the memory Serves, for my following are the answers to the set out questions in the lest accompanying letter to me, the your of 25th Sept 1952 the identification, have For purpose I of numbered the & answers questions The two bodies were quite separate distinct (1) (a) was as an Cumann no n Joederit founded open was nationalist separatist organization, It the supported IRB Mary I.R.B. strongly by men were members Its Programme of C.G.O.N.Z. was propagandist &educational, largely through lechixes, speakers at public meetings etc. The national council was formed sub sequent to the publication Arthur of Griffith's "Resurrection Its purpose of Hungary" was to initiate, What became Knounas the Hungarian Policy-non-recognition the British parliaments of right to make Lans Ireland, and for British institutions of in Ireland where generally, Practicable, This included the withdrawal Irish of 2 Parliamentary representation at Westminister believe I that it was intended that the parliamentary members so Withdraw should form or be the nuclear a fulls time of national Council It was proposed to elections on fight parliamentary (and Local) is this basis. Charles Dolan, Who Lertrim British presented North the was induced to his seal parliament, resign it anew, on the abstentionist ticket & fight all the forces we could muster, although funds Ireland, were concentrated all parts from of election on Nr.Lertrim, we lost the miserably, the were in "middle But we of the ting" Went to America, a or two Charles Dolan year this election as as I know, took no after for in national His brother, further Part affairs, James Dolan-afterwards to Parliamentary secretary Y. the tree state Government Liam. Cosgrage, in first the 1918 won the Nr.Lertrim seat Fein in for Sinn election. 3 At the time of Dolans Charley resignation from the British Parliament, the Hungarian had some Policy gamed enthusiastic very supporters in maynooth, despite the strong the apposition then president maynooth, of of the Rev Dr.Manner, Dolans brother Charley the Rev, Sr.Dolan, one most enthusiastic was the of these clerics in maynooth it of young the was stated at time, and I believe it to be true, that it was his influence, supported by his colleagues in maynooth, that influenced the British Dolan's Charley Resignation parliament. from was a member excentive (B) I of the Belfast of no & I believe, acted as its Cumann Secretary of some time, for Bulmer with Hobson, I Attended the annual Conventions the of Organization in Dublin, At one these I remember of very serious the differences arising, following Divorce in proceedings Paris between Major 4 John McBride Maude Gonne, an was attempt made, I believe the I.R.B. to have by Group John McBride as elected the vice-President organization & to of exclude Maud this Gonne from The women's office, Who had organization-migrant no Notkewnn, at delegates the convention, apposed this move attempts were made to fiercely, "Nobble" Hobson on our arrival the at Mansion House myself, P.S. the by Dalys I.R.B. Bader in Dublin, where the Convention was being held by gurng ms vote "orders", to McBride Maud for against Gonne, we to these orders & refused accept eventually, it as and not to a appear possible get majority the for McBride motion, I believe a compromise was & reached both were made Nec-President, the debate on this I went the During matter, to a, Cigarette McBride me out foyer for followed & assured me that he was no move party to the on & his me to behalf waged as I vole, thought I right. treasured his friendship always afterwards. T. I was also a member the national of council 5 what But do not remember in capacity, I but the in Dublin, attended meetings of body am conditions the time, not in the charging of Hobson did as how not clear to of why, although his did & was on with I strong get Griffiths, always that all the admirer, years fallowed, Supporter him confirmed personally Only my regard for & his qualities. for great The was founded, controlled 2, (a) Fianna Erteann & administered Bulmer Hobson, with by Occasional like help from people myself, in giving history Language lessons, he also I believe its appointed officers The (B) I remember were Sean Monno Officers Kelly; Seamus Mullen & later Archie Heron Two and or three Whose others, names I Cannot remember 3. (a) The following year (B) When Griffiths articles on The Resurrection Hungary of appeared in the united Irishman and Hobson & myself decided that we could more do no Charles Good with the C. Non Go in Belfast 6 3. Continued, We on Hobson miniature, to start decided, Largely would have a new Which more organization, life the Support new & it, We would Vigour in Hungarian out an but new as a Means to end, Policy, separatist be from the movement must frankly & Our arms Our manifesto set Out Our start, plans that the volunteers The fact accordingly, of held their first a had (1782) century earlier, convention in Dungannon & issried their declaration "that the famous only king, could make lords & commons Ireland, of laws the name Dungannon for Ireland," Inspired our new organization We this Club for paid Tribute to Hungarian Griffith's Policy time that an white, at the same declaring aim - all was our feral Irish Republic in the confused, light of a little perhaps sound Enough position, but present day the Political in the that them prevailed in the Conditions country! recreated as we had The small number 3 (C) now whose names are no importance members, of & I was Chairman Hobson was secretary Club & the executive, both the Belfast of of Clubs when this was formed, when Dungannon were activated London & in Dublin, Glasgow, Som Centres throughout Ireland, in Ulster Mostly the whole period their throughout of existence We were in in kept Belfast, busy First 7 Continued 3 c the Club, Business meetings Ordinary of in the our outdoor meeting for Arranging arrangements the & suburbs, making for city the publishing & subsequently Printing founding arranging for the "Republic", the of & & cartoons importantly for the articles, we could secure, to help few advertisements We also published it, pamphlets pay for nationalist & other on anti-recruiting Suitable Cartoons We reprinted Subjects, any these lampooned from the as postcards; paper, & attendance the Irish parliamentary Party the R.I.C.