Whyte's THE ECLECTIC COLLECTOR TIMED ON-LINE AUCTION 18 APRIL 2026

84 143 1906 (21 October) THE FOUNDATION OF SINN FÉIN - A unique manuscript agreement of immense historical importance. Written in Arthur Griffith’s hand and signed by reprentatives of the National Council, Dungannon Clubs and Cuman na nGaedheal, the document confirms the amalgamation of the three organisations into one political party - Sinn Féin. ’At a Conference held at Dundalk on Sunday the 21st October 1906 called at the instance of the Executive of the Dungannon Clubs to discuss the question of a possible Amalgamation between the three organisations at present working on Sinn Fein lines the following delegates were present: ’National Council: Arthur Griffith, Cole & Sheehan Dungannon Clubs: Messrs Hobson, McCullough & McCartan Cumann na nGaedheal: Messrs Doyle, A. Ingoldsby & O’Brien. Condition: Couple of folds, written on reverse of Young Ireland Society Dundalk Branch printed paper, fine. On 23 September 1906 Bulmer Hobson (of the Dungannon Clubs) wrote to George Gavan Duffy saying some men associated with Cumann na nGaedheal in Dublin had approached him about an amalgamation. ‘The proposition is to have a meeting of men representing C. na nG., National Counci] and Dungannon Clubs and a few unattached clubs throughout the country in Dundalk shortly to discuss amalgamation.’ [See Ó Luing, Art Ó Gríofa, 1953, p. 141]. The present document appears to be the record of that meeting. It appears to be otherwise unrecorded (not mentioned by Hobson, by Ó Lúing or in McGee’s recent Griffith biography). It is of particular interest in that it is in Griffith’s hand throughout, so there can be no doubt of his acceptance of its terms, so far as they go. We are grateful to Cian Ó hEagartaígh for his assistance in cataloguing this important document. Estimate €15,000-€20,000 (approx £13,040-£17,390) Click here for more images and to bid on this lot 143