An extremely important collection of personal mementos, manuscripts, documents, photographs and personal ephemera relating to his service as an Irish Volunteer and his poetry, plays and lyrics, includ...
Peadar O Cearnaigh Peadar Kearney (1883-1942)In the 1916 Rising Peadar Kearney fought under Thomas MacDonagh at Jacob’s biscuit factory in Bishop Street. He evaded capture after the Rising was put down but was arrested during the War of Independence and interned at Ballykinler Camp in County Down in 1920-21. A close friend of Michael Collins, Kearney supported the Free State in the Civil War.
He continued his writing in the 1920s and 1930s but his main source of income was from house painting and casual labour and he lived in relative poverty during the last twenty years of his life. As can be seen from some of the documents in this archive he campaigned to establish his rights to The Soldier’s Song which had been unofficially adopted by the Free State as The National Anthem in 1924. Although he received some money from American sources in 1919-21 according to his own account in this archive he never received any money from the government during his lifetime and the official transfer of copyright was only resolved in the early 1960s, nearly twenty years after his death.
Peadar Kearney has been compared to Thomas Moore as one of Ireland’s great lyricists. Among the other songs that Kearney wrote are: Down By The Glenside (The Bold Fenian Men), The Three-coloured Ribbon, The South Down Militia, Nell Flaherty's Drake, Whack Fol the Diddle, Knockcroghery, Down by the Liffey Side, and both he and Patrick Heeney collaborated in the composition of Michael Dwyer.
The following is a list of some of the more important items in this historic archive:
1916 Rising Service Medal inscribed to Peadar Ó Cearnaígh, in the original presentation box, with a covering note dated 1942;
His original Irish Volunteers Dublin Brigade mobilisation order for 23rd April 1916 (Easter Sunday, the original date for the Rising), laid down on a backing card (a note by Kearney says that the card was in Padraic Pearse’s handwriting).
The Soldier’s Song. A manuscript verse from the song, in Peadar O Cearnaigh’s hand and signed by him in Irish at Baile Choinnleora (Ballykinlar), Samhain (November) 1921, on a folded card, with a manuscript poem by another writer on other side.
The Bold Fenian Men, as sung in B. Wing, Portlaoighise Príosúin, Laoighis, Meadhon Foghmhair 1922. Manuscript in Peadar O Cearnaigh’s hand, folded card, with another poem in pencil in the blank spaces.
Peadar O Cearnaigh. An unpublished poem by Brendan Behan, manuscript, in Behan’s hand, three verses of four lines, with typescript note stating it was written for Eva (Peadar’s wife) on the death of her husband, 24th November 1942, while Behan was a prisoner in Mountjoy Jail. This must be one of Behan’s earliest compositions. Brendan Behan was Peadar Kearney’s nephew – his mother was Peadar’s sister Kathleen, “Mother of all the Behans”.
Cumann Seán-Óglách 1916 (1916 Veterans Association), Programme for First Reunion and Smoker, Barry’s Hotel, Dublin, 25.11.1938. Programme, 3 pp, printed by Three Candles, including verse and chorus of A Soldier’s Song with Peadar Ó Cearnaigh’s manuscript signature; and signed on rear blank page by nine 1916 combatants including Seán O’Farrelly, Liam Daly (GPO), Seán Bermingham (GPO), M.J. Staines (GPO), Piaras Béaslaí (Vice-Commdt. 1st Batt.), Seamus Kavanagh (Stephens Green) and others.
Peadar Ó Cearnaigh. A three page folio manuscript statement concerning the authorship, publication and copyright of A Soldier’s Song, headed ‘2nd Statement, August 26th ’26’, signed at end by Peadar O Cearnaigh and in his hand throughout. A most interesting and important statement, setting out the song’s publication history in detail, probably drafted with a view to transfer of the copyright to the State. In it he states the date of composition of The Soldier’s Song as “early in 1910 or late in 1909” and not 1907 as given by many writers. With a typescript copy of same.
Autograph signed letter to Peadar from Piaras Béaslaí dated 21.8.1937, offering some alternative versions of a line by Peadar.
Coisde Cuimhneacháin Seachtmhaine na Cásca (Easter Week Memorial Committee),Jacob’s Garrison. Roll of Honour (to be lodged in the National Museum). Printed letter from Seán Colbert, signed, 14.10.’35, inviting Peadar Kearney to sign the Roll of Honour at Gardiner’s Row.
An original photograph of the inmates of Hut 23, B Line, Ballykinlar, Co. Down (circa 1920-21), inscribed on reverse with some of their names and signed by Peadar O Cearnaigh.
Original photographs of Brendan Behan (signed by him on reverse), and of Peadar Ó Cearnaigh aged 27 (with a stage set behind, probably at the Abbey Theatre).A small prayer book in Irish, edited by An t-Athair Ó Críocháin (Father Crehan), inscribed by the editor to Padhraic Ó Conaire (the writer), and further inscribed by Peadar Ó Cearnaígh saying it was given to him by Ó Conaire in 1922.
A legal document (typescript copy), 2 pp large folio, being a Transfer of Copyrights in words and music of the Soldiers Song, drawn up by Miley & Miley of Sth. Frederick Street, Dublin, dated 12 October 1933. The parties are Peadar O’Cearnaigh & another (1st), Dublin Theatre Co. Ltd. (2nd), The Talbot Press Ltd. (3rd), and the Minister for Finance (4th). This appears to be a transfer of all remaining rights in the Soldier’s Song to the State.
A printed Agreement, 2 pp, between the Mechanical Copyright Protection Society Limited of London and Peadar O’Kearney Esq., dated 1 Feb. 1939, signed by the Society’s representative but not by Peadar (presumably his copy).
A certified copy of Peadar’s birth certificate, 1883; and his military service pensions certificate dated October 1926.
A collection of issues of Na Bac Leis (produced by prisoners at Ballykinlar 1921, very scarce).
A group of typescripts by Peadar including a play in English about Wolfe Tone dated 1907, another play in Irish, and an article about the aftermath of the Rising, describing how he got away after the surrender (not included in this form in Seamus de Burca’s biography).
A collection of loose pages with manuscript poems, drafts, music and other items, mostly in Peadar’s hand (second folder); also a printed leaflet with words of A Soldier’s Song. Poems include Bodenstown 1917
Two Abbey Theatre programmes, one signed by members of the Behan family, also an issue of Envoy signed by Brendan Behan, a worn copy of Peadar’s published book of poems signed by him, a good pencil drawing of Peadar as a young man, indistinctly signed, dated August 1945, presumably drawn from a photograph, and a few other items.A pencil drawing of Peadar Kearney based on a photograph of him as young man dated 1945, three years after his death
Collected Verse (1920-1938) by Peadar Ó Cearnaígh “typed by himself, at 25 O’Donoghue Street, Inchicore, in the City of Dublin” 20pp foolscap plus typed transcripts of his letters to Eva, his wife, while he was incarcerated at Ballykinler Camp 1920-21.
Correspondence to Peadar Kearney including 1922 letters from Tom Barry, Cork, William Sweetman, editor of The Irish Press 1939, letters from various publishers and Associated Copyrights Limited concerning the copyright of The Soldier’s Song, a letter (1936) from The National Museum seeking a loan of original manuscripts related to The Soldier’s Song.
A printed poem, Uaigneas, by Brendan Behan and with a manuscript dedication in Irish by Behan.
“A Survey of That Field on the Lands of Funshog Part of the Holding of Peter Kearney and let by him for grazing for season 1865 to Nicholas Carberry” a single manuscript page from a lease concerning Peadar Kearney’s grandfather.
- Auction Details
- T&Cs
- Bidding
Clause 1
(a) Each lot is put up subject to any reserve price imposed by the vendor
(b) Subject to sub-clause (a) of this clause, the highest bidder for each lot shall be the purchaser thereof
(c) If any dispute arises as to the highest bidder the auctioneer shall have absolute discretion to determine the dispute and may put up again and re-sell the lot in respect of which the dispute arises.
Clause 2
(a) The bidding and advances shall be regulated by and at the absolute discretion of the auctioneer and he shall have the right to refuse any bid or bids. NOTE: Where an agent bids, even on behalf of a disclosed client, the auctioneer nevertheless has the right at his discretion to refuse any such bid.
(b) The purchaser of each lot shall immediately on its sale, if required by the auctioneer, give him the name and address of the purchaser and pay to the auctioneer at his discretion the whole or part of the purchase money. If the purchaser of any lot fails to comply with any such requirement the auctioneer may put up again and re-sell the lot; if upon such re-sale a lower price is obtained than was obtained on the first sale the purchaser in default on the first sale shall make good the difference in price and expenses of re-sale which shall become a debt due from him.
(c) Where an agent purchases on behalf of an undisclosed client such agent shall be personally liable for payment of the purchase money to the auctioneer and for safe delivery of the lot to the said client.
Clause 3
(a) The auctioneer reserves the rights to bid on behalf of clients including vendors, but shall not be liable for errors or omissions in executing instructions to bid.
(b) The auctioneer reserves the rights, before or during a sale, to group together lots belonging to the same vendor, to split up and to withdraw any lot or lots at the auctioneer's absolute discretion and without giving any reason in any case.
(c) The auctioneer acts as agent only, and therefore shall not be liable for any default of the purchaser or vendor.
Clause 4
(a) Each lot shall be at the purchaser's risk from the fall of the hammer and shall be paid for in full before delivery and taken away at his expense within one day of the sale. The buyer will be responsible for all removal, storage and insurance charges in respect of any lot which has not been collected within one day of the date of sale.
(b) If any purchaser fails to pay in full for any lot within 21 days of the date of sale such lot may at any time thereafter at the auctioneer's discretion be put up for sale by auction again or sold privately; if upon such re-sale a lower price is obtained than was obtained on the first sale the purchaser in default on the first sale shall make good the difference in price and the expenses of re-sale which shall become debt due from him.
(c) Interest at 2 per cent per month and legal costs (if any) for recovery of monies due shall be payable by the purchaser on any overdue account.
Clause 5
(a) Each buyer, by making a bid, acknowledges that he has satisfied himself as to the physical condition, age and catalogue description of each lot (including but not restricted to whether the lot is damaged or has been repaired or restored).
(b) All lots are sold with all faults and imperfections and errors of description and the Auctioneer and its employees, servants or agents shall not be responsible for any error of description or for the condition or authenticity of any lot, save for Clause 5 (c) below. Written or verbal condition reports may be supplied by the Auctioneer on request but these are merely statements of opinion, and any error or omission in these reports may not be taken as grounds for a cancellation of sale or refund of any part of the purchase price or the cost of any repairs to the lot or lots reported on
(c) A purchaser shall be at liberty to reject any lot if he - (i) gives the auctioneer written notice of intention to question the genuineness of the lot within seven days from the date of sale; AND (ii) proves that the lot is a deliberate forgery and (iii) returns to the auctioneer within 20 days from the date of sale the lot in the same condition as it was at the time of sale; provided that the auctioneer may, at his discretion, on receiving a request in writing from the purchaser, extend for a reasonable period the time for return of the lot to enable it to be submitted to expertisation. NOTE: The onus of proving a lot to be a deliberate forgery is on the purchaser.
(d) Where a lot has been submitted to expertisation, all costs of such expertisation shall be paid by the person who retains the certificate of expertisation and item or items to which the certificate relates.
(e) Where the purchaser of a lot discharges the onus and acts in accordance with sub-clause (b) of this clause, the auctioneer shall rescind the sale and repay to the purchaser the purchase money paid by him in respect of the lot.
(f) No lot shall be rejected if, subsequent to the sale, it has been marked by an expert committee or treated by any other process unless the auctioneer's permission to subject the lot to such treatment has first been obtained in writing.
(g) Any lot listed as a "collection, range, portfolio etc." or stated to comprise or contain a collection or range of items which are not described shall be put up for sale not subject to rejection and shall be taken by the purchaser with all (if any) faults, lack of genuineness and errors of description and numbers of items in the lot, and the purchaser shall have no right to reject the lot; except that, notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this sub-clause, where before a sale a person intending to bid at the sale gives notice in writing to, and satisfies the auctioneer that any such lot contains any item or items undescribed in the sale catalogue and that person specifically describes that item or those items in that notice, then that item or those items shall, as between the auctioneer and that person, to be taken to form part of the description of the lot.
Clause 6
The respective rights and obligations of the parties shall be governed and interpreted by Irish law, and the buyer hereby submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Irish Courts.
Special Conditions
a) The buyer shall pay the Auctioneer a commission at the rate of 20% (Art sales) or 24% (Collectibles sales). The Buyer's Premium is added to the hammer price of all lots and is subject to VAT at the prevailing rate.
(b) The Auctioneer or its employees, servants or agents may, on request organise packing and shipping of lots purchased or may order on the buyer's behalf third parties to pack or ship purchases. Under no circumstances does the Auctioneer accept any liability whatsoever for any loss or damage howsoever occasioned in the course of such service.
(c) The buyer authorises the Auctioneer to use any photographs or illustrations of any lot purchased for any or all purposes as the Auctioneer may require. The placing of a bid will be taken as full agreement to all the above conditions.
WHYTE AND SONS AUCTIONEERS LIMITED, 2022
We hold two types of auction - TIMED and LIVE SALEROOM
1. TIMED AUCTIONS
WHAT IS A TIMED AUCTION?Timed auctions do not have an auctioneer calling the bids – there’s just a bidding time frame and whoever bids highest during the time frame wins. Each lot can be bid on for a defined time period. At the end of this period, the bidder who has submitted the highest bid wins the lot, provided the bid exceeds the reserve price. You tell us the most you’re willing to pay – and we’ll bid intelligently for you, only bidding enough for you to meet the reserve or stay in the lead. Don’t worry, your maximum bid is not disclosed, and is held in confidence on our bidding system.
WHEN ONLINE BIDDING STARTS - YOU CAN LEAVE BIDS online and your bid will start at one step above the previous bid or at the start price if no other bid. You will be notified by email if you get outbid before the auction starts.
ONCE THE AUCTION BEGINS TO FINISH, ON THE DATE AND TIME SPECIFIED, THE EMAIL NOTIFICATIONS CEASE and you should follow the auction on-line to see how your bids are doing. Make sure you have logged in if you wish to bid.
WHEN THE AUCTION BEGINS TO FINISH ON THE DATE AND TIME SPECIFIED,THE BIDDING FOR EACH LOT REMAINS OPEN FOR 45 SECONDS at a start price determined by the reserve or bids already received. Each lot will be open and remain open for bidding until its end time is reached; the end time will be extended by 45 seconds if another bid is received. At the end time, if there are no further bids and the highest bid received equals or exceeds the reserve price the lot is sold to highest bidder.
The Buyers Premium for Art sales is 20% plus VAT ( 24.6% gross). The Buyers Premium for Collectibles sales is 24% plus VAT (29.52% gross). The Buyers Premium will be added to your winning bid amount. Your invoice will detail all the payment, collection and shipping particulars.
2. LIVE SALEROOM AUCTION:
If you can't attend the auction in the saleroom you can email or post or telephone bids to us, or you can book a telephone line to bid during the sale. Contact us on +353 16762888 or bids@whytes.ie
To bid on-line at a Live Saleroom Auction:
• Log in or register bid.whytes.ie
• Visit the online auction catalogue
• Find the lot number you are interested in.
· The current highest bid will be displayed
• The minimum bid required to beat the highest bid will also be shown.
· You can place your bid. The screen will show the new highest bid and will indicate if that bid is yours. Note: if a previous bidder has left a bid that equals yours the previous bidder will win the lot unless you outbid them. If the screen doesn’t confirm that your bid is winning you will need to bid again if you wish to buy the lot. Don’t worry -the system will not allow you to bid against yourself.
• The live auction will begin at the announced date and time and will be sold in lot number order by the auctioneer.
• Invoices will be issued to successful bidders on the next working day after the sale has ended.
BIDDING STEPS:
Up to €300 x€10
Up to €700 x €20
Up to €1,300 x €50
Up to €3,000 x €100
Up to €7,000 x €200
Up to €13,000 x €500
Up to €30,000 x €1,000
Up to €40,000 x €2,000
Up to €70,000 x €2,000
Up to €130,000 x €5,000
Up to €500,000 x €10,000
A FEW TIPS FOR ABSENTEE BIDDERS:
Bid the maximum price you would pay for the lot; we will try and secure the lot for you at the lowest possible price. For instance if you bid €2,000 on a lot and the highest other bid we receive is €1,200 you get it for €1,250. Most people tend to bid in round numbers, e.g. €500. It’s often a good idea to bid an odd number, e.g. €520, or €540 which will outbid an even number. Check the results the day after the sale: these are published on our website www.whytes.ie at about 10am on the day after the sale. Successful bidders are also notified of results by mail.
TIE BIDS: if two or more equal bids are received the lot will be sold to the first received.
The Buyers Premium for Art sales is 20% plus VAT ( 24.6% gross). The Buyers Premium for Collectibles sales is 24% plus VAT (29.52% gross). The Buyers Premium will be added to your winning bid amount. Your invoice will detail all the payment, collection and shipping particulars.