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16 October 2014
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Ballykinlar Collection
Page 3

A brief look at some the collection of the Kilmainham Gaol Archive

Sketch of Ballykinlar Camp in 1921

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Page 3

The Kilmainham Ballykinlar Collection also contains several copies of their Camp newspapers 'Na Bac Leis' - the September (19 NW 1E11 06), October (19 NW 1D22 15) and November (19 NW 1E11 06) 1921 editions, and a single copy of The Barbed Wire for August 1921 (19 NW 1D23 28). Na Bac Leis (don't bother with that) consists of various articles, gardening notes, GAA notes, verses, and editorials. The September issue even has a cartoon strip where a prisoner is being sent home in the first frame but by the end he realises wistfully it has only been a dream! There is also a small boxed piece entitled 'Overheard at the Dail: When one of our T.D.'s was addressing the DAIL in Irish, somebody asked: "What Irish is that?" The answer came immediately - "The best Irish of all, my boy, Ballykinlar Irish."'

Violin Class, taken with Ballykinlar camera -  (Courtesy of Kilmainham Gaol Archives)
Violin Class, taken with Ballykinlar camera
(Courtesy of Kilmainham Gaol Archives)

 

Illustrating the difficulties of Camp journalism J S Considine has a verse in the October 1921 issue entitled: 'I wouldn't if I were you':

If appointed you were a CAMP JOURNAL to run,
With a single machine and so much to be done,
Would you take it - aye, e'en at the point of a gun.
I wouldn't if I were you!

All issues conclude with the professional announcement: Na Bac Leis - Printed and Published in No 1 Cage, Ballykinlar. Letters to the Editor should be sent to Hut 14!

The November issue contains several pieces on the death of Tadhg Barry 'shot dead in Ballykinlar Camp 15th November 1921'. A verse, by one of the Camp's poets, J S Considine, begins:

Hark to the Banshee's piercing caoine,
O'er Ballykinlar's wind-swept shore,
For Tadg - the peerless, noble Gael,
Is now no more.

 

 

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YOUR RESPONSES

Chris Mooney - February '08
I have a photo of Tadhg Barry who was shot dead in Ballykinlar which I would like to send for inclusion on this website. It was obtained from the 1960 edition of the Capuchin Annual which is now defunct.

 

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