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1921 (7 January) Pickardstown Ambush War of Independence Medal
1919-21 War of Independence Medal with Comrac bar officially named
to “968 Michael McGrath”. Also with a related War of Independence
Medal issued to an unknown recipient and 1898 centenary Robert
Emmet lithographic print . Both medals complete with ribbons, clasps,
boxes of issue and presidential issuing slips. (3 items)
A scarce medal officially named to the first Waterford City man to be
killed during the War of Independence. Michael McGrath was born at
Poleberry Waterford on 1 December 1894, the youngest son of Thomas
and Anne McGrath. He was educated at the Mount Sion School and
became involved with the Sinn Féin movement after the 1916 Rising.
During the 1918 elections McGrath canvassed for the party in
Waterford city and moved to more militant activities in 1920, serving
with D Company 4th Battalion East Waterford Brigade I.R.A. In January
1921 he was selected to take part in an ambush on British troops at
Pickardstown near Tramore. A feint attack on Tramore police barracks
was designed in order to draw a British relief force from Waterford
where they would be attacked by members of the East and West
Waterford Brigade. During the ambush on 7 January, McGrath was with
a group of men armed with shotguns and positioned in a ditch on the
road. During the ensuing fight this group was surrounded and McGrath
killed. An inquest later stated that he was only identified by the Union
membership cards that were found on his body and that he had
suffered a severe wound to his head which caused instantaneous death.
Michael McGrath’s funeral took place on 10 January in Carbally
Churchyard under the watch of a large British military presence. The
spot on which he was killed is marked by a present day memorial to the
ambush.
€1,000-€1,500 (£833-£1,250 approx)
281
1919-46: War of Independence to Emergency medal group awarded
to Captain E. O’Boyle
An interesting and complete grouping awarded to Captain Eamonn
O’Boyle Army School of Music. Comprising of War of Independence
Service Medal and Comrac bar, with presidential slip, ribbon bar and
postal box of issue addressed to O’Boyle at Portobello Barracks. 1971
50th Anniversary of the Truce Medal with presidential slip, ribbon bar
and box of issue. Emergency Service Medal Na Forsaí Cosanta with box
of issue and envelope addressed to O’Boyle at an address in Clontarf.
Also with a scarce gold and enamel 1929 Irish Army Gymnastic
Championships winner’s medal and newspaper clipping relating to the
Battle of Mount Street Bridge believed to have been written by O’Boyle
in 1938. (5 items)
Eamonn O’Boyle was born in Glencolmcille, Donegal and was educated
at Pearse’s St. Enda’s School. He died in the 1970s and is buried in
Balgriffin Cemetery, Dublin.
€800-€1,000 (£667-£833 approx)
282
1919-21: War of Independence medal and 1971 Truce medal pair
1919-21 War of Independence Service Medal and 1971 50th
Anniversary of the Truce Medal issued to an unidentified recipient from
Cork.
€400-€500 (£333-£417 approx)
283
1919-21: War of Independence Medal and 1971 Truce Medal
awarded to Thomas Carroll, Dublin Brigade
War of Independence Medal and 1971 50th Anniversary of the Truce
Medal with box of issue awarded to Thomas Carroll of Ballymore
Eustace who is believed to have served with Dublin Brigade, I.R.A. With
a copied photograph of the recipient, who in later life lived in
Ranelagh, died in February 1989 and is buried in Bohernabreena
Cemetery.
€500-€600 (£417-£500 approx)
284
1919-21 War of Independence Service Medal, also 1939-46
Emergency Service Medal (Defence Forces) and others
Unknown recipient, from an estate in Co. Tipperary. Also includes an
Óglaigh na h-Éireann cap badge, 1907 Dublin International Exhibition
medal, a Pope Leo XIII medal, and some others. (14)
€150-€200 (£125-£167 approx)
285
1919-21: Cumann na mBan badge
A good Cumann na mBan lapel badge in white metal. 1 x 2.50in. (2.54
x 6.35cm)
€300-€500 (£250-£417 approx)
286
1919-21: Cumann na mBan badge
Another similar Cumann na mBan pin back badge in brass 2.50 x 5in.
(6.35 x 12.70cm)
€300-€500 (£250-£417 approx)
287
1919 (1 December) Government of the Irish Republic issued share
certificate
Scarce Government of the Irish Republic registered one pound share
certificate issued by Michael Collins as Minister of Finance with
authorising signature of Joseph Meehan, to Edward Daly of Rose
Cottage, West End, Bundoran, Donegal Also with a Keogh photographic
postcard of his namesake, 1916 leader, Edward Daly. (2 items) 4 x 8in.
(10.16 x 20.32cm)
€150-€250 (£125-£208 approx)
288
1919-20: American Commission on Irish Independence, Bond
Certificate Campaign pamphlet
8pp pamphlet with the intention as it describes “to Finance the Elected
Government of the Republic in Projects of National Reconstruction and
for such other purposes as the Government may decide” 8 x 5.50in.
(20.32 x 13.97cm)
€100-€150 (£83-£125 approx)
289
1919-21: War of Independence period Irish Volunteers print
Print with a depiction of Christ blessing a group of Volunteers and
titled “O Sacred Heart Bless Ireland” by Joseph O’Hanrahan. Framed. 19
x 14in. (48.26 x 35.56cm)
€150-€200 (£125-£167 approx)
290
1921 (31 January) ROIA Dublin Metropolitan Police motor vehicle
pass
A scarce Restoration of Order in Ireland Regulations permit for a BSA
motorcycle and side car complete with photograph. Issued to Joseph
Henry Montgomery 78 Northumberland Road. See lots 247 & 291. 8 x
9in. (20.32 x 22.86cm)
€200-€300 (£167-£250 approx)