Poet, writer, scholar, revolutionary & signatory of the 1916 Proclamation, Thomas MacDonagh, was born in Cloughjordan, Co. Tipperary 1st February 1868.

Pictured below is a unique and rare item contained within the Jackie Clarke Collection; a first edition (published 1906) of a book of MacDonagh’s poems entitled ‘The Golden Joy’.

The book contains an inscription in MacDonagh’s hand, gifting the book to his younger brother Joseph. Thomas and Joe, along with a third brother, John, fought side by side at Jacob’s Mills garrison during Easter Week 1916.

Joseph MacDonagh- a significant yet often overlooked personality in early twentieth century Irish political life- served as a TD for Tipperary in the 1919 First Dáil, retaining his seat in the 1921 Elections.

He was director of the ‘Belfast Boycott’ of 1920-21, a campaign which aimed to boycott goods from Ulster that were being imported into the south of Ireland.

He was known to peers and colleagues as a tireless worker, a sharp mind and a jovial, quick-witted character.

Joe, like the majority of ‘1916 Relatives’, opposed the Anglo-Irish Treaty of 1921. He was imprisoned by Free State forces in Kilmainham Gaol in 1922 during the Irish Civil War, where he embarked on hunger strike in protest against the harsh treatment of Republican prisoners.

Having previously been on hunger strike (including the 1918 strike on which Thomas Ashe died), Joe often suffered ill- health, and his condition deteriorated quickly.

Given the prominence of the MacDonagh family name, Joe was transferred to the Mater Hospital.

Sadly, he died on there Christmas Day 1922- adding greatly indeed to the poignancy of this special item in the Collection.

The Jackie Clarke Collection is truly honoured to receive a most unique and beautiful donation.

The Thomas Ashe Banner was handmade by the Sisters of Charity at Banada Abbey in 1918 for Kilkelly Sinn Féin Club. It made its first public appearance at a mass anti-conscription rally in Ballaghadreen at which Éamon De Valera and John Dillon addressed the large crowds assembled.

The intricate banner cost £35 to make at the time and was restored in more recent years thanks to the tireless efforts a group led by author, historian and distinguished Kilkelly native, Mr. Jimmy Duffy (RIP).

The banner was displayed in the former Kilkelly Library. It has now been rehomed in the Jackie Clarke Collection thanks to the foresight & coordination of Cllr. John Caufield, Dara Calleary TD and Mr.Jimmy Maloney.

The banner is currently on public display in the Collection, flanked by the tricolor which was draped on Ashe’s coffin, generously donated by Mr. Michael Grealy in 2017.