THE CHANCE find of personal records of the Civil War in Limerick has aroused intense interest locally and nationally
The records, which were found in an attic will, academics predict, transform knowledge of the turbulent historical period in Limerick city and county.
And as the Healy papers (Lieutenant Michael Healy of the “C” Company,
2nd Battalion of the Limerick City Brigade) are about to go under the hammer, it is understood that the University of Limerick will be bidding to keep the “priceless” detailed records of the IRA’s activities out of private hands.
The discovery was made when earlier this month, Limerick auctioneer, Daren Parish went to a house in Meelick to organise the auction of some items for a client.
“While I was there, they showed me a file of papers which they said they had found in the attic. I started looking at them and when I realised what a potentially important find they were, I contacted the University of Limerick and Tom Twomey, the author of The War of Independence in Limerick 1912 to 1921.
UL’s Dr Ken Bergin confirmed to Daren that the papers are one of the most significant finds ever in terms of the important historical period
Mr Twomey said: “There were fifteen battalions in Limerick and after long research I was only able to find a detailed record of one and some scanty records on another but this is a very important find and gives a huge amount of detail we didn’t have before. This is a unique find,” he said.
“We knew that this record existed at one time but it was believed it had been thrown out.
“The person who kept the papers is to be commended as is UL for planning to make a bid for them and keep them in the city”.
Daren said it is hoped that the papers will go at auction on Wednesday, July 4 for up to €2,000, “But they are priceless in terms of the importance of the information they contain,” he said.
The file gives a huge amount of detail, including names of those who were involved, which members carried out individual actions and even includes an account of how spies were dealt with when they were exposed.
