File 1 - Photocopy of a letter from [Flight Lieutenant] Mackay

Original Digital object not accessible

Identity area

Reference code

IE 2135 P46/1/4/1/1

Title

Photocopy of a letter from [Flight Lieutenant] Mackay

Date(s)

  • 13 February 1921 (date of original) (Creation)

Level of description

File

Extent and medium

2 items

Context area

Name of creator

(1896-1976)

Biographical history

John Maurice ‘Jack’ MacCarthy was born in Kilfinane, County Limerick, and was educated to primary school level locally. He completed his secondary education in Clongowes Wood College in County Kildare. From an early age MacCarthy was highly interested in nationalist politics. He joined the Irish Volunteers at their inception in 1914 and was involved in the reorganisation of the Volunteers in 1917 following the release of IRA prisoners. In the War of Independence he was successively Commandant of the Galtee Battalion, Commandant of the East Limerick Brigade and Vice Officer Commanding and Adjutant of the 4th Southern Division of the Irish Republican Army. He was heavily involved in all the major operations conducted by the East Limerick Brigade during the conflict, most famously in the events surrounding the downing of an RAF airplane by the IRA. At the end of the War of Independence, MacCarthy joined the pro-Treaty side for purely pragmatic reasons, realising that the IRA would be unable to recommence hostilities against the vastly superior British forces. In later years, MacCarthy worked as military correspondent to the Irish Independent during the Second World War and was the author of Limerick’s Fighting Story (1948).

Archival history

Immediate source of acquisition or transfer

Content and structure area

Scope and content

Photocopy of a manuscript letter from [Flight Lieutenant] Mackay [to Lieutenant Colonel J. M. MacCarthy], confirming that he has been ‘treated with every possible consideration and respect’ by the IRA from the time of his being taken prisoner. Also a typescript copy of same, undated but post 1948. Also see P46/1/4/1/2.

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Accruals

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The documents have been arranged chronologically by date.

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Language of material

  • English

Script of material

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    Alternative identifier(s)

    Original number

    P46/61

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