A collection of British documents and letters relating to 1916 which form a file within the Papers of Éamon de Valera. The documents include intelligence reports, despatches, and correspondence between Irish Command, Home Forces, the War Office, M.I.5.G., and the Royal Irish Constabulary. The documents cover the immediate aftermath of the 1916 Rising, the executions of the leaders, and the general political situation in Ireland at the time.

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.

This collection comprises the papers and correspondence of the Kevin Barry Memorial Committee. The Committee was formed to raise funds to create a memorial to Kevin Barry (20 January 1902–1 November 1920). Barry, a medical student at University College Dublin, was executed for his part in an ambush which resulted in the deaths of three British Army officers. The Committee commissioned Harry Clarke Stained Glass Limited to create a stained glass window dedicated to Kevin Barry and the other students and graduates of University College Dublin who lost their lives in the struggle for Irish Independence. The window, designed by Richard King, was erected in Earlsfort Terrace and unveiled on 1 November 1934. In 2010, the window was conserved, restored and relocated in the Charles Institute at Belfield, the current campus of University College Dublin.

Copy typescript intelligence report marked 'Secret'. States that 'Information has been received from an absolutely reliable source to the effect that the extreme Irish-American Party contemplates an armed rising in Ireland at an early date and is in communication with Germany with a view to obtaining German assistance'. Outlines the motivation of the 'local leaders' and states that it is understood that 'the rising should be timed for the 22nd April' and that arms will be delivered from Germany to Limerick.

Typescript copy of 'Memorandum Concerning Present and Future Relations of Great Britain and Ireland in the Empire' containing information under the following headings: 'The Nature of the Irish Claim'; 'The Foundation for Settlement'; 'Ireland's Economic Objections'; 'Concurrent Legislation'; 'The Ulster Difficulty'; 'Naval and Military Situation'; 'Money Contribution'; 'Federation of the Empire'. 'The…memorandum expresses, it is believed, the general conclusions arrived at by a very large number of Irishmen who are not party politicians but representatives of manufactures (sic), commerce, agriculture, journalism, the learned professions and men of leisure and letters who have been thinking more earnestly than before upon the political problem of Ireland and its solution…The demand of the most powerful and enlightened intelligence in Ireland is for Dominion self-government; and between complete union and the status of a dominion there is no half way state which would satisfy Ireland' (p.1). Memo is signed by Colonel Maurice Moore, C.B., Mayo, on behalf of a committee of fourteen members – George Russell [A.E.]; J[ames] Douglas, Dublin; Alec Wilson, Belfast; E.E. Lysaght [MacLysaght], Clare; Dermot Coffey, Dublin; John Mackie, Dublin; Sir Algernon Coote, Bt., H.M. Lt. Co. Laois; Colonel Sir Nugent Everard, Bt. H.M. Lt. Co. Meath; Sir John O'Connell, Kt. Dublin; James MacNeill, Antrim; Joseph Johnson and Prof. E. Curtis, Trinity College Dublin and Major J. Crean, Dublin (17 p.). Also includes an 'Appendix on The virtual coercion of a minority by the grant of responsible Government to Canada' (3 p.).

Photograph of the War Office document appointing Lieutenant General Sir John Maxwell, KCB, Commander-in Chief of British Forces in Ireland [taking over command from Major General Friend].

Copy typescript intelligence report marked 'Secret' from Headquarters, Irish Command, to Lieutenant Colonel V.G. Kell, M.I.5.G., General Staff, War Office [London], on the 'State of Ireland' discussing recruiting levels in the country for British forces in the War, and the organisation and operation of 'the Sinn Fein Volunteer movement'. Includes tables of estimates 'of the strength of the Sinn Fein party in each County in Ireland, and the number of arms of which they are in possession' and the 'Approximate number of disloyal Sinn Fein Irish Volunteers in Dublin City'.

Files contains documents re instruction from Admiralty Hydrographer that all Lights around the coast of Ireland be re-exhibited.

Brief undated manuscript note, written in Irish, concerning the Kevin Barry stained glass window and providing a very brief description of its background. Written on National University of Ireland headed paper.

Telegrams from HQ, Horse Guards to Hutchison, Irish Command with instructions, later cancelled, to remain in Dublin. Typescript paraphrase copy of cipher from War Office to Dublin stating Major-General Hutchison's authority in Ireland.

File contains letters from Joseph Higginbotham, Principal Keeper Rathlin O'Birne, re instructions as to Lighting; and Commander in Chief Royal Navy Coast of Ireland, regarding character reference for Joseph Higginbotham.

Cumann na nGaedheal election address to the electors of the National University of Ireland requesting support for their candidates in the upcoming general election of 1933, Michael Hayes and Patrick McGilligan. The publication features a list of the election committee and several of the names have been marked with a manuscript cross or check mark.

Handwritten paraphrase copies of cipher message from the War Office to Irish Command stating that 'It is the wish of the Secretary of State that General Hutchison who had great experience during the late Rebellion in Ireland should be at you disposal to assist you' and that 'his position will be similar to that of a Chief Staff Officer as it existed in former days'.

Detailed reports by Major General L. B. Friend, Commander-in-Chief of British Forces in Ireland, on the progress of the Rebellion. Includes: the third report notes that Lieutenant General Sir John Maxwell is expected to arrive in Dublin the next day to take over supreme command of the troops.

Copy of secret report from Registry file by Maxwell for French on the 'Sinn Fein Rebellion' and the 'present state of S.F. movement'. States 'Had the enterprise of Sir R[oger] Casement succeeded the whole of the West of Ireland including Cork would have risen and I deliberately think that we have narrowly missed a most serious rebellion. Had any initial success been achieved it would have spread all over Ireland (except Ulster) and no influence of Mr. Redmond or others could have prevented this…I think I can, however, assert that recent events have proved to the extremists that rebellion without ample arms and organization cannot succeed, and that they have no chance of success against trained soldiers'.

Copy of typescript report from Belfast concerning the terms of the surrender of arms in Belfast. Reports that 'Campbell knows nothing about the North of Ireland, and although he may not be able to do anything for the moment so long as martial law is in force, he might, for the sake of making peace with the Nationalists, take subsequent steps. ... if James Campbell acts in the way he apparently proposes to do, he will have the blood of hundreds, if not thousands, of people upon his head'.

Typescript copy of despatch from General Maxwell to Maurice Bonham Carter, Vice Regal Lodge, Dublin, on extending the time for the operation of martial law, proclaiming Sinn Féin and the Citizen Army illegal, and the question of Coroner's Inquests and the King's Street cases. Includes typescript copy of the opinions of [James H. Campbell] the Attorney General [Ireland] on the matter.

Secret communications between General Maxwell, Major General Friend, the War Office and General Headquarters, Home Forces, concerning Major General Friend's presence in England on leave of absence and the attendance by certain Officers of the Irish Command at a race meeting in Baldoyle, on the day on which 'disturbances in Dublin commenced'. Item 1: copy of a typescript report from Friend to Maxwell regarding a communication from the War Office--No.79/Irish/195 (A.G.3) dated 28 April 1916. He states: 'I naturally regret extremely that I was absent from Dublin at such a serious crisis, but when it is considered that His Excellency the Lord Lieutenant, his family and suite had made all arrangements to leave for Belfast for several weeks, at 3 p.m. on 24th April, it may be imagined that those in the highest civil authority in Ireland were also ignorant of the intentions of the rebels'. Item 2: copy of a typescript letter from Maxwell to Lord French defending Friend and enclosing a copy of the above. Item 3: copy of a typescript War Office report (W.O. File 79/6639): Irish-German-American Conspiracy. Includes comment on arms traffic, seditious publications, connections to Germany, censorship of US Mail and the present situation in Ireland. Includes handwritten annotation in an unknown hand: 'This is a British Report'.

Special Branch, Metropolitan Police, New Scotland Yard communications relating to a letter addressed to Mrs. A.S. Green, Westminster, containing a letter for Prof. Eoin MacNeill, which was stopped by the Censor. Includes copies of the texts of both letters. The letter for Prof. MacNeill includes an 'Official Declaration of the German Government, stating its intentions and declaring the goodwill of the German people toward Ireland and the desire of both Government and People for Irish national freedom' (originally dated 28 November 1914, 3 p.). Also attached is a copy of a communiqué (originally dated 23 May 1916, 1p) from M.I.5.G. concerning the landing of German ammunition and Irish supporters at Banna Strand and Sir Roger Casement's landing on 20 April 1916.

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.

Files contain documents regarding Raids on Mizen Head during and after the Irish War of Independence. The Raids were carried out by the Irish Republican Army. The purpose of the Raids were to seize explosives used for firing explosive Fog Signal. Included below are extracts from reports by J. J. Treeby, Principal Keeper and J. J. Duggan, Assistant Keeper: summary of Police Reports as to the storage of explosives at Fog Signal Stations around the coast of Ireland ; 16 May 1920: Station raided 1.35 am and all ammunition removed. Telephone cut ; 31 July 1920: Station raided by armed and masked men who removed 2200 charges and 2000 detonators. Irish Lights advise against replenishing stock ; August 1920: Possibility of having to discontinue Explosive Fog Signal. Inspector suggests temporary reed horn signal and purchase of Acetylene Gun Signal ; 1 July 1921: station raided by 5 armed men. Telephone wires cut and complete instrument carried off ; 1 January 1922: stable broken into by persons unknown and several scaffolding planks carried off.

Fianna Fáil election address requesting support from the graduates of University College Dublin for their candidates in the forthcoming general election: Conor A. Maguire, Attorney General, and Helena Concannon. The booklet is bilingual, written both in Irish and in English and the front cover of the publication has an extensive list of graduates, some with manuscript crosses or check marks against their names.

Typescript copy of 'Rough Preliminary Draft' of a 'Proclamation under Martial Law' (2 p.). Includes covering letter from General Maxwell to Lord French explaining 'the object of the enclosed is to enable the National Volunteers (Redmondites) and Ulster Volunteers (Carsonites) to be recognised as part of the Forces of the Crown' (1 p.).

Handwritten paraphrase copies of cipher messages from Maxwell to Kitchener, War Office, London marked 'Secret' concerning the North King Street massacre. Includes Kitchener's cipher 16970 questioning the reports of what occurred and outlining the scenario he considers more likely. Maxwell agrees but has 'sworn affidavits to deal with for the most part from women who have made them under the influence of solicitors and other people. In King Street the fighting was from house to house and exceptionally fierce the streets being barricaded.' Includes message from Maxwell to Asquith reporting that members of the press were shown the conditions in Richmond Barracks.