Identity area
Reference code
Title
Date(s)
- 1921-c. 1990s (predominantly 1921-1924) (Creation)
Level of description
Extent and medium
51 items
Context area
Name of creator
Biographical history
Michael Healy was a native of Limerick and joined the Irish Volunteers in 1917 when they were being reorganised following the 1916 rising. He was promoted to Captain in the Volunteers and was heavily involved in IRA activities during the War of Independence. Healy took the Anti-Treaty side during the Civil War. He remained in the IRA following the end of the Civil War and was involved in its reorganisation until at least 1924. He appears to have been involved in helping to expedite the application process for military pensions for members of his company and battalion in c. 1940. He is recorded in 1956 in Dáil records as having been in receipt of a government pension having served in the War of Independence. Little is known about his life outside of the IRA except that he lived and worked as a shoe repairer at No. 38 Nicholas Street, Limerick City.
Archival history
The archive was discovered in the attic of a house in Meelick, County Clare. Michael Healy’s connection with the house or its occupants is not known.
Immediate source of acquisition or transfer
Purchased at an auction in Limerick in four separate lots on 4 July 2012.
Content and structure area
Scope and content
The collection comprises papers relating to C Company 2nd Limerick City Battalion Mid Limerick Brigade 1917-1924 and includes narrative accounts of the Brigade activities during the War of Independence and information on the reorganisation of the Limerick Brigades during and following the Civil War. The collection is unusual as the anti-Treaty IRA was considered to be an illegal organisation and their records as a consequence were usually kept secret.
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling
All records have been retained.
Accruals
No accruals are expected.
System of arrangement
The material has been divided into four series reflecting the form of the records and thereunder arranged chronologically by date.
Conditions of access and use area
Conditions governing access
Unrestricted access to all items.
Conditions governing reproduction
Standard copyright regulations apply to all items. For photocopying or reproducing material, please consult with the staff.
Language of material
- Béarla
Script of material
Language and script notes
Physical characteristics and technical requirements
Paper documents and a photograph mostly in good condition.
Finding aids
Allied materials area
Existence and location of originals
Existence and location of copies
Related units of description
Notes area
Alternative identifier(s)
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Description control area
Description identifier
Rules and/or conventions used
This description follows guidelines based on ISAD(G) 2nd edition (2000), Irish Guidelines for Archival Description (2009), National Council on Archives: Rules for the Construction of Personal, Place and Corporate Names (1997) and EAP Guidance on Data Protection for Archive Services (2018).
Status
Level of detail
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Archivist's note
Papers arranged and described by John Harrington under the supervision of Anna-Maria Hajba in July 2015 and revised in May 2021.