Photocall Notice – James Connolly Family Medal Collection
Recently Acquired Collection of Medals by The National Museum of Ireland.
The National Museum of Ireland- Decorative Arts and History
Collins Barracks, Benburb, Street, Dublin 7.
Brigadier General James Connolly - Grandson of James Connolly
What:
The National Museum of Ireland recently acquired a collection of medals awarded to Commandant General James Connolly, 1916 leader, founder and commander-in-chief of the Irish Citizen Army, and to three members of his family, namely his daughter, Nora Connolly-O’Brien, his son, Roderick James (‘Roddy’) Connolly, and his grandson, Brigadier General James Connolly, for the national collections.
The collection is unique, representing awards given to three generations of the same family in recognition of service given to the State over a period of almost 70 years.
The Museum is grateful to Brigadier General James Connolly and to his family for their assistance in this significant addition to the wider National Museum of Ireland’s historical collections relating to the 1916 Rising.
Who:
· Raghnall Ó Floinn – Director, National Museum of Ireland.
· Sandra Heise – Exhibition Curator, National Museum of Ireland.
· Brigadier General James Connolly - Grandson of James Connolly.
· Brigadier General Connolly’s children - Jessica, Sean, Joanna, Roddy, Seamus and Katherine.
· Brigadier General Connolly’s brother and sister - Maggi and John Nalty.
· Brigadier General Connolly’s grandchildren.
· The children of Brigadier General Connolly’s late brothers and sister, Ross, Maura and Rory will also be present.
When: Thursday 12th May 2016
Time: 2.00pm
Where: The Riding School at The National Museum of Ireland - Decorative Arts & History, Collins Barracks, Benburb Street, Dublin 7
Brigadier General James Connolly - Grandson of James Connolly and Raghnall Ó Floinn – Director, National Museum of Ireland
Background Information:
James Connolly’s 1916 rising medal - The 1916 Rising medal, officially inscribed to Commandant-General James Connolly, and presented posthumously to his family in 1941, on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the Easter Rising.
Nora Connolly-O’Brien’s medals - A collection of medals awarded to Nora Connolly-O’Brien (1893-1981), daughter of James Connolly, for her work as a founder member of Na Fianna Éireann and for her service during the 1916 Rising and the War of Independence
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1916 Rising medal and miniature medal, issued in 1941 on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the Easter Rising;
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War of Independence medal (with active service bar) and miniature medal, issued in 1942;
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Na Fianna Éireann jubilee medal, issued in 1959;
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1916 50th anniversary medal, issued in 1966 for the 50th anniversary of the Easter Rising;
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War of Independence 50th anniversary medal, issued in 1971 on the jubilee anniversary of the Truce.
Roderick James (‘Roddy’) Connolly’s medals - A collection of medals awarded to Roddy Connolly (1901-1980), son of James Connolly, for his service as a member of Na Fianna Éireann in the G.P.O. during Easter Week, and as a member of the Irish Citizen Army during the War of Independence.
· 1916 Rising medal and miniature medal, issued in 1941 on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the Easter Rising;
· War of Independence medal (with active service bar) and miniature medal, issued in 1942;
· 1916 50th anniversary medal, issued in 1966 for the 50th anniversary of the Easter Rising;
· War of Independence 50th anniversary medal, issued in 1971 on the jubilee anniversary of the Truce.
Brigadier General James Connolly’s medals - A collection of medals awarded to Brigadier General James Connolly, grandson of James Connolly, who served in the Defence Forces during World War II and was later commanding officer of the Irish Air Corps.
· 1939-’46 Emergency Service medal (Defence Forces Issue);
· Defence Forces service medal to a Commissioned Officer, with bar awarded for twenty years’ service;
· United Nations Peacekeepers medal;
· United Nations Truce Supervision Organisation (U.N.T.S.O.) medal.
The exhibition Proclaiming a Republic: The 1916 Rising at the National Museum of Ireland was launched in March 2016 and includes many objects that were never seen on public exhibition before. In this exhibition the visitor will experience the poignant stories of the civilians, combatants and survivors whose lives were intertwined with the fighting that took place in and around the rebel garrisons.
Join the conversation #NMIER1916 #1916Rising
The Ireland 2016 Centenary Programme, led by Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Heather Humphreys, T.D., is a year-long programme of activity to commemorate the events of the 1916 Rising, to reflect on our achievements over the last 100 years and to look towards Ireland’s future. Full details of the Ireland 2016 Centenary Programme is available at www.ireland.ie @ireland2016 #ireland2016
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Maureen Gaule, Marketing Executive, Marketing Department, National Museum of Ireland
T: 01 648 6429 | M: 087 9031690| E: mgaule@museum.ie
Admission to the National Museum of Ireland is Free
Open Tuesday – Saturday 10.00am – 5.00pm. Sunday 2.00pm – 5.00pm
www.museum.ie
Photos from the photocall will be available from: Paul Sherwood paul@sherwood.ie
http://www.sherwood.ie