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81 NA FIANNA EIREANN & COUNTESS MARKIEWICZA printed rule-sheet for Na Fianna Eireann, Irish National Boy Scouts, President: Countess de Markiewicz, 4 pp, circa 1911, signed in manuscript by C. de Markiewicz with
her address at Surrey House, Leinster Rd.
With two TLS to Mr. [Michael] O’Reilly from Pádraic Ó Riain, on Na Fianna headed paper, January 1912, the second saying ‘The Council is sorry to learn of the great
difficulties you have to contend with in keeping the Sluagh of the Fianna going in Dalkey’, especially over rent payment for premises. ‘We understand that Baden-Powell
intends during the present year re-organising his movement in this country .. You understand therefore the absolute necessity for the Fianna to double its membership
by starting new Sluaghte throughout the country. An Ard Coiste have started a guarantee fund for this purpose and will allow to the Sluaghte 50% of what they collect
towards this fund’. One of the letters parting at folds, no loss.
Also an ALS to O’Reilly from Lewis Lonergan, Commanding, undated, regretting that the Committee could not give more assistance in holding the premises in Convent
Road, but the funds of the Committee are practically exhausted; also Whelan & Sons, Irish-Ireland Supply Stores, invoice to Mr. O’Reilly, Nov. 1911, for scout shirt etc.,
and estimates for repairing windows etc. at Scouts room at Convent Road.
A good collection of documents, emphasising the ever-present financial problems. Fianna Eireann was founded in Belfast by Bulmer Hobson, and re-founded in Dublin
by Hobson and Markiewicz in 1909, as an Irish alternative to the British-based Boy Scouts movement. It became in time the junior section of the Volunteers.
Provenance: Collection of M.W. O’Reilly, see his biography above.
€ 600 - 800