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Archive of documents and photographs relating to William Halpin, Irish Citizen Army, 1916 veteran.
Includes a large photograph of Irish Citizen Army volunteers on parade at Croydon Park (William Halpin is
the figure on the extreme right of the photograph wearing a sword and breast badge); Halpin’s 1916 Rising,
1917-1922 War of Independence and Emergency National Service tunic ribbons; a collection of references re-
lating to Halpin’s work as a plater in Dublin Docks and his Air Raid Precautions, Post Warden certificate. (22)
Provenance: By descent from William Halpin to the current owner.
In 1916 Willie Halpin (29) worked as a plater in the Dublin Dockyard, was a trade union activist and a
member of the Irish Citizen Army. His wife Tilly was also politically active, and was a member of Cumann na
mBan. Halpin had grown up in the East Wall area of he City and his family were neighbours of Sean O’Casey,
who was a close friend and frequent visitor. He attended the Wharf School and, on reaching working age
became an apprentice plater in a boiler makers at Dublin Docks. By 1910 was a member of Countess Marki-
evicz’s Na Fianna.
During the Lockout he joined the newly formed Irish Citizen Army and used his access to the docks to
acquire armaments. He was an active member of the ICA, eventually becoming a member of the executive.
While not an officer he paraded as if he were, wearing a sword and outside the ranks, as in the famous pho-
tograph outside Croydon House in which Willie Halpin is pictured on the extreme right. James Connolly is
reported to have commented, “Every regiment is entitled to its mascot”, when this was complained about.
During the Rising, William Halpin was part of the City Hall Garrison, which was taken by the British with-
in one day. It was here that the first casualties on either side of the Rising occurred, DMP constable James
O’Brien and Captain Sean Connolly of the ICA. Most of the garrison were taken prisoner. William almost
avoided capture, utilising his small size to hide up a chimney in City Hall but after two days he was overcome
with thirst and exhaustion, fell out and was arrested.
Estimate €300-€400 £234-£312
Large Image & Place Bid Lot 214