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800Years IrishPolitical, Literary&MilitaryHistory - 15thApril2014
176 [STANDINGCOMMITTEE]
AgoodphotoofMembersof theStandingCommittee, SinnFéinArdFheis,Dublin, Feb. 21, 1922. Seatedon
the front row areArthurGriffith, EamonDeValera,MichaelCollins andHarryBoland. 30x20cm. Rare.
€500 - 600
177 IrishRepublicanArmy.
A very rare poster or broadside, the right hand portion announcing the IRA’s 1939 military cam-
paign against England, with a reproduction of the 1916 Proclamation on left. Signed ‘on be-
half of the Republican Government and the Army Council of Oglaigh na hEireann (Irish Re-
publican Army)’ by six Council members including Stephen Hayes, Patrick Fleming and Sean
Russell, the right hand portion printed in capitals. On frail paper, circa 380 x 480 mm, fold
marks, minor hole on left hand side but no significant loss. No printer, no date but January 1939.
‘WecalluponEnglandtowithdrawherarmedforces,hercivilianofficialsandinstitutions,andrepresentatives
of all kinds fromeverypart of Ireland, as anessential preliminary toarrangements forpeaceand friendship
between the twocountries; andwecallupon thepeopleof all Ireland, athomeand inexile, toassistus in the
effortweareabouttomake inGod’sname, tocompel thatevacuationandtoenthronetheRepublicofIreland.’
The ‘effort’ consisted of a bombing campaign in England, which caused substantial damage but was en-
tirely unsuccessful in bringing about its declared aims. The campaign followed a change of leadership at
theArmy’s 1938Convention, where SeanRussell became chief of staff. Survivingmembers of the Second
Dailwerepersuaded to endorse a resolutiongiving the IRA ‘governmental’ authority,which it used to issue
an ultimatum and a declaration of war against England, expiring on 15 January 1939. The campaign of
explosions began the following day and continued through the spring and summer, culminating in the
Coventrymassacre in lateAugust,whenabombabandonedby itsoperator inabusy streetkilled fivepeople
and injured sixty. It led to legislation allowing deportations fromBritain, andultimately to internment in
Irelandduring the SecondWorldWar.
€300 - 500
