DOCUMENTS GIVEN TO DEVOY MUSEUM

Leinster Leader 24 May 1969

DOCUMENTS GIVEN TO DEVOY MUSEUM

Mrs. Alice Cummiskey from New York, who looked after the Fenian  leader, John Devoy, during his final years, was guest of the John Devoy Memorial Committee at a dinner in Osta John Devoy, Johnstown, Naas, last Thursday night.  During the function Mrs. Cummiskey and Mr. Frank Robbins, Dublin, presented documents connected with Devoy to the museum which is being built up in the Gael Linn Roadhouse within a mile of the place where he was born.

The museum already contains a number of Devoy documents as well as bayonets, pistols and other arms concerned with the Fenian rebellion. Mr. Stephen Rynne, a member of the Memorial Committee, also presented books used by John Devoy.

Mrs. Cummiskey,who was born in Castleblaney, Co. Monaghan, but lived most of her life in the U.S. visited the memorial site on the Naas-Dublin road in company with a party of relatives.  Later she was guest of the Committee at a dinner in Osta John Devoy, the Gael Linn Roadhouse named after the Fenian leader.

Mr. Frank Robbins, Chairman of the Memorial Committee, presided at the dinner and other members present were Messrs. Jimmy Dunne, Vice-Chairman, Miceal O Spolain, Secretary; Stephen Rynne, Treasurer; Eddie Marum, Trustee; Tadgh Mac Loinsigh, Eoghan O’Cathain and Sean O’ Luing.

With Mrs. Cummiskey were her relatives Mr. and Mrs. George O’ Neill; Mr. and Mrs. Patrick Mullane; Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Quigley; Mr. and Mrs. Frank Smith and Mr. Frank O’ Neill, all from New York.

Recognition

Mr. Robbins werlcomed the American party and said he was pleased that they had reached the stage when some recognition had been given to the name of John Devoy. Little was generally known of that part of Irish history but the Memorial Committee hoped at the commencement of the new school term to award prizes open to boys and girls in secondary and vocational schools for essays on John Devoy and the Fenian Movement.  There will be two sections, for 14–16 and 16–18 age groups, and the intention was to award £80 in prizes.

Mr. Donal O’ Morain, Chairman of Gael Linn, accepted the documents for the museum and said he was particularly pleased to be in the company of people who had worked so hard in Ireland and America for the Movement.  He spoke of John Devoy’s attributes and his efforts to promote Irish freedom and said they looked to him for inspiration because he was a man who never lost an opportunity of advancing the national cause.