This collection consists of files relating to Irish Lights during World War I, and the Irish War of Independence and Civil War, covering the period 1914-1931. The files contain reports, letters and telegrams from Lightkeepers and other Irish Lights personnel around the coast; correspondence with the government and state bodies including the British Army and Navy, members of Dail Eireann and the new Departments of the State; and instructions, memoranda and official documents issued to Irish Lights by Government Departments and State bodies. Topics covered include reducing or extinguishing lights ; submarine sightings and attacks ; rescue of shipwrecked crews; and raids on lighthouses.

File contains documents re handing over two rooms in Dun Laoghaire (Kingstown) East Battery to British Military Authorities for temporary use (March-October 1920). Correspondents include R. J. Kelly, Principal Keeper; F. R. Foot, Superintendent of Stores; British Army Headquarters, Dublin District.

File contains report from R. Somers, Principal Keeper, regarding Carbide etc. stolen from Haulbowline: 17 October 1922: P. K. reports that on his liberty ashore he found the Carbide Store broken open and five 1 cwt. drums of Carbide, with about 20 fms. of 2" rope taken away. He has informed the Police at Kilkeel. There is no one living at the Station when he is on Rock, as his wife is dead and all his family are away.

File contains report from D. Hamilton, Principal Keeper Howth Pier, of Howth Pier Lighthouse hit with three rifle bullets at 1 a.m. One pane of glass in Lantern riddled; Light Apparatus uninjured.

File contains report from M. Cahill, Attendant, regarding seizure of oil at Rinalan Point (Rinealon Point) after the Irish War of Independence. The Raid was carried out by the Irish Republican Army: 2 July 1922: 2 barrels of oil were taken by armed men.

Files contain documents regarding storage of explosives at Explosive Fog Signal Stations. Included are details of: quantities of explosives each stations, storage and security conditions (September 1917) ; police escort when transporting explosives (February 1919) ; stocks of explosives to be reduced to a minimum (May 1920) ; police or military protection for explosives in unaffordable (August 1920) ; discontinuance of Fog Signals at mainland Fog Signal Stations (January 1921) ; reduction of explosives on board Lightships (June 1921). Correspondents include Headquarters, Irish Command, British Army ; Inspector ; Lord Lieutenant; Under Secretary Dublin Castle ; Admiralty.

File contains statement from Officer-in-Charge, Armament Supply, R.N.A. Depot, Haulbowline Cork, showing ammunition belonging to Irish Lights on charge on the 31st March 1921, in the Magazine at Rocky Island (Cork).

File contains documents re removal of explosives from Dun Laoghaire (Kingstown) East Battery (September 1920). Correspondents include R. J. Kelly, Principal Keeper; and British Army Headquarters, Dublin District.

Files contain documents regarding Raids on Roches Point Lighthouse during and after the Irish War of Independence. The Raids were carried out by the Irish Republican Army. Included below are extracts from reports by J. O'Brien and later R. J. Kelly, Principal Keepers: 28 November 1920: Station was visited between 7-8 P.M. on 28 inst. and searched for arms etc. by a number of men who declared they were of the Irish Republican Army. Morse Lamp ant 8, I 11b. Signal Rockets taken by them' ; 09 August 1920: On the 9th inst. Republicans took 16 gallons Paraffin and 1 qt. Lubricating oil from Station. Receipt given for same. Provisional Government informed and oil written off in Store A/C book as 'Stolen'.

File contains report from J. J. Sweeney, Principal Keeper, regarding Raid on Eagle Island Lighthouse after the Irish War of Independence. The Raid was carried out by the Irish Republican Army: 11 July 1922: a party of Republicans commandeered the telescope used by A. Gallagher, Boat Contractor, which is the property of C.I.L. Included is a response from the Ministry of Economic Affairs promising to give the matter attention.

File contains report from T. Glanville, Principal Keeper, regarding Raid on Blacksod Lighthouse after the Irish War of Independence. The Raid was carried out by the Irish Republican Army: 15 May 1922: Station raided by party of men at 2.30 am. No damage done and nothing taken.

Files contain documents regarding Raids on Hook Tower in 1920-21 during the Irish War of Independence and again in 1923 during the Civil War. The Raids were carried out by the Irish Republican Army and the Irish Republican Army (Anti-Treaty) forces. The purpose of the Raids were to seize explosives used for firing explosive Fog Signal. Included below are extracts from reports by Thomas Faulkner, Principal Keeper on the Raids: 31 May 1920: 'Station raided 11.30 last night by armed men in motor cars. Compelled Keeper on Watch to accompany them to doors of Magazine and Detonator Store. Carried away 4620 Detonators, 4200 Charges...Telephone wire cut. Am informing Constabulary immediately. Lightkeeper, Hook' ; 24 September 1920: 'Station raided 1.15 A.M. this morning by armed raiders in motor cars. Compelled Keeper on Watch to deliver up all explosives...taking with them 82 Charges, 2177 Detonators, also telescope. Telephone wire cut. Informing Constabulary Duncannon. Lightkeeper Hook' ; 11 January 1921: 'Station raided last night. Electric Battery, Galvanometer and Cable of both firing Jibs taken. Informing Constabulary. Lightkeeper' ; 3 April 1923: 'Five armed men visited Station and demanded to be shown over premises...taking with them 14 Detonators and the 2 C. P, Charges that were ate the Station...T. Faulkner P. K.'.

Files contain documents regarding Raids on Fastnet Lighthouse during and after the Irish War of Independence. The Raids were carried out by the Irish Republican Army. Included below are extracts from reports by J. J. Treeby, Principal Keeper and J. Crowley, Assistant Keeper: 20 June 1921: 'Fastnet was raided this morning at 1 am by armed men. Took telescope and binoculars, left 400 C. P. Charges and 1000 Detonators ; 21 March 1922: piece of pine for flooring was removed from Crookhaven Stores along with other articles.

Files contain documents regarding removal of explosives at Loop Head by British Army during the Irish War of Independence, and a Raid carried out by the Irish Republican Army (Anti-Treaty) forces during the Civil War. Included below are extracts from reports by J. Crowley, Principal Keeper: May-June 1920: station visited by RIC and British Army to inspect stores of Explosives. Explosives were removed by British Army ; September 1920: explosives again removed by British Army ; 13 January 1923: Station raided by a party of armed and masked men at 11 pm. Telephone apparatus carried off. Included are details of all explosives at Fog-Signal Stations round the coast of Ireland on 1 February 1920; and Notice to Mariners re temporary discontinuance of Loop head Explosive Fog Signal.

File contains documents regarding Raid on Bull Rock during the Irish War of Independence. The Raid was carried out by the Irish Republican Army. Included below is an extract from a report by W. J. Callaghan, Principal Keeper: 19 June 1921: a gang of about 20 armed and masked men raided the rock and took: 2 telescopes, 2 lbs. gelignite and 2 coils fuse.

File contains report of Obstruction to Navigation in Tralee Bay. Further includes reports of the sinking of a Norwegian Steamer (April 1916), and newspaper cuttings re seizure of arms in Tralee Bay and arrest of Sinn Fein Volunteers (24 April 1916).

File contains report from W. Glanville, Principal Keeper, regarding Raid on Kilcredaun Lighthouse during the Irish Civil War. The Raid was carried out by the Irish Republican Army (Anti-Treaty) forces: 13 January 1923: Station raided by a party of armed and masked men at 9pm who carried off the telephone.

Files contain documents regarding Raids on Dungarvan during the Irish Civil War. The Raids were carried out by the Irish Republican Army (Anti-Treaty) forces. Included below are extracts from reports by B. R. Jeffers, and later J. Moore, Principal Keepers, on the Raids: 9 February 1922: '3 men on behalf of the IRA visited Station at Sunset. Notes were taken and Enquiries regarding Rooms, Stores etc. were made. IRA are in charge of Coastguard Station since 4th inst'. Included is a letter from Minister for Defence (Dail Eireann) promising to look into the matter ; 12 July 1922: 'At 11.30 pm on the 12th inst. two men knocked at door and demanded telescope which Principal Keeper declined to give. He then shut the door whereupon the men tried to force an entrance but failing to do so they left station' ; 9 August 1920: 30 gallons of paraffin taken from station by Republicans to burn Coastguard Station. Included is a letter from Minister for Economic Affairs (Dail Eireann) promising to look into the matter.

File contains documents regarding Raids on Poer Head in 1923 during the Civil War. The Raids were carried out by the Irish Republican Army (Anti-Treaty) forces. The purpose of the Raids were to seize explosives used for firing explosive Fog Signal. Included below is an extract from report by F. Coupe, Principal Keeper: 23 March 1923: Station was raided by armed men at 11.30 am on 23 inst. A long list of items were carried off including signal rocket, tools, rope, paint, lead, paraffin oil, telescope, binoculars.

Files contain documents regarding raid Kinsale Lighthouse after the Irish War of Independence. Included below are extracts from reports by F. Curling, Principal Keeper: 2 December 1921: discontinuance of Fog Signal at Kinsale due to British Military evacuation from vicinity. Commanding Officer ordered to remove explosives to Kinsale ; 10 August 1922: IRA quartered in the Coastguard Station & Lloyds, before evacuating same commandeered 80 gallons of Paraffin and a telescope.

File contains report from J. J. O'Reilly, Principal Keeper, regarding Raid on Arranmore Lighthouse during the Irish War of Independence. The Raid was carried out by the Irish Republican Army: 25 March 1921: a party of men took by force a quantity of oil from Station which was used to burn out the Coastguard Station and Signal Hut.

Files contain documents regarding Raids on Mine Head Lighthouse during the Irish War of Independence. The Raids were carried out by the Irish Republican Army. Included below are extracts from reports by G. W. James, Principal Keeper, on the Raids: 22 September 1920: Station raided by armed men at 11 pm on 22nd inst. 2 telescopes taken away and telephone connection smashed ; 16 May 1921: Station raided by armed men at 10 pm on 16th inst. Two bicycles, personal property, taken away ; 28 June 1921: Station raided at midnight on 27th inst. Telephone dismantled and taken away together with battery. Also batteries in connection with the Lantern taken from each of the Keepers' rooms. Warned not to contact Police. Police not informed ; 9 July 1920: Station again raided on night of 9th inst. at 11 pm when some lead was taken away.

Files contain report from M. Byrne, Principal Keeper, regarding Raids on Rotten Lighthouse during and after the Irish War of Independence. The Raids were carried out by the Irish Republican Army: 13 February 1921: Station raided by armed and masked men. Telescope carried off ; 15 March 1922: at 4 p.m. on evening of 15th instant six men landed at Station, armed with revolvers, and were more or less abusive.

File contains report from J. Devaney, Principal Keeper Rockabill, regarding a Police Search of the lighthouse premises for illicit spirits.