An Cosantóir

An Cosantóir June 2016 www.dfmagazine.ie 8 | New Military Archives Building By SGT WAyNE FITZGERALD PhotoS By CPL NEVILLE COUGHLAN O n 26th April 2016, President Michael D higgins and Minister for Arts, heritage & the Gaelteacht heather humphreys tD, were accompanied by De- fence Forces Chief of Staff Vice Admiral Mark Mellett DSM in opening the new Military Archives building in Cathal Brugha Bks. One of the files on display was that of President Higgins' father, Lt John Higgins, who served as an Intelligence Of- ficer in the Cork 2 Bde of the Irish Republican Army during the War of Independence. President Higgins' two uncles and aunt (Peter, Michael & Kitty) all took part and their files are available to view alongside 300,000 other files contained in the Military Service Pensions Collection, many are still being digitised as part of the on-going project. The newly launched Military Archives also took custody of the Brother Allen Collection, kindly donated by the Chris- tian Brothers in O'Connell Schools, Dublin. The collection includes primary documents relating to the 1798 Rebellion, the Famine, the War of Independence and the Civil War. Items of particular interest include the last correspondence from Pádraic Pearse to his mother before he was executed, the last will and testament of Countess Markievicz and an original Proclamation of the Irish Republic. In marking the occasion of the new Military Archives building, the then Minister for Defence, Simon Coveney, TD said: "The new building being opened today by the President will ensure the safeguarding and accessibility of the Military Archives' collections for future generations". The day also marked the fourth release of material from the Military Service (1916-1923) Pensions Collection and the Medals Series Database from the collection and its associat- ed files. The 1916 Medal recognised those who were engaged in active service during the 1916 Rising and those who served during the period 1917-1921. Speaking about the latest release of material from the Military Service Pensions Collection, Minister Coveney said: "This is the largest re- lease of material to date from the Military Service (1916- 1923) Pensions Collection, the work of which is ongoing and has transformed our understanding of the history of the period and the role of individuals and organisations in the fight for independence, as well as the tragic events of the Civil War". Future releases of mate- rial from the Military Service Pensions Collection will take place over the coming years. The material is available at www.militaryarchives.ie. Afer the launch a small intimate ceremony was held commemorating the execu- tions of journalists Francis Sheehy Skeffington, Thomas Dickson and Patrick McIntyre during the 1916 Rising. The site of their executions is now a museum in Cathal Brugha Bks. Members of the men's families were in attendance. OC Military Archives Comdt Pádraic Kennedy with President Higgins. President Higgins with the family members of the three journalists who were executed during the 1916 Rising.

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