Beschreibung:

'THE MAN WHO WAS SINN FEIN' O'Caoimh (Padraig or Paudie) 1881-1973. A superb and important display of his 1916 and War of Independence Medals, attractively mounted and framed with his Irish Volunteer uniform buttons and cap badge, and his 1916 Survivor's Armband (worn at commemorative parade 1935), and with a good original photograph. The Collection here offered include: a. His 1916 bronze Medal with ribbon and pin; b. His War of Independence bronze Medal (1917-1921), with scarce 'Comrac' bar; c. His 1916-1966 silver gilt Survivors Medal, bar and ribbon; d. His 1921-1971 bronze Jubilee Medal with clasp and ribbon. With three Volunteer buttons, his Volunteer Cap Badge, and his rare 1916 - 1935 Survivors Armband (worn by 1916 veterans only, before the issue of the medals). Paudie O'Keeffe was a close friend and associate of Arthur Griffith from the early days of Sinn Fein, and also a very good friend of his fellow Corkman Michael Collins Born in Co. Cork, he worked as a post office sorter and joined the I.R.B. there. About 1901 he was transferred to the G.P.O. in Dublin, & in 1908 he became joint-honorary Treasurer of Sinn Fein. He married Cait de Paor, one of the Wyse Power family in 1910, her brother John Wyse Power was a founder member of the G.A.A. Paudie was also in the Banba Rifle Club (1912-13), whose members practised shooting in the Greenmount Oil Works in Harold's Cross (owned by the Le Brocquy family); others members included Cathal Brugha, Sean Mac Diarmada, and Eamonn Ceant; Brugha was the best shot according to Paudie. In 1914 Paudie had a major part in the Kilcoole arms landings for the Volunteers. In April 1916 he was closely involved with Griffith and Eoin Mac Neill in the exchanges over plans for Easter Sunday. At one stage Mac Neill sent him to ask at the Sunday Independent office what was the latest time a notice (of cancellation) could be accepted. Nevertheless when the Rising went ahead on Easter Monday, Paudie showed up with his rifle, leaving his wife and three children, and served in one of the O'Connell Street garrisons, opposite the G.P.O. holding out until the building collapsed around him. He was imprisoned after the Rising, and on his release was appointed full-time General Secretary of Sinn Fein. He played a major part in building up the party organisation; it has been said that 'Paudie O'Keefe was Sinn Fein.' British Army raids on his office made no difference, because Paudie kept every detail in his head. He had a notable turn of phrase; around this time a visiting British journalist (Sir Arthur Gibbs), asked him what was the meaning of these strange words 'Sinn Fein'; the answer he gave was 'Vengeance, bejasus, vengeance.' Paudie was elected a member of the First Dail and was imprisoned again for a seditious speech; he supported the Treaty, and after Independence was appointed deputy governor of Mountjoy Jail. It is said that he found the job distasteful, and in the 1920's he moved to the Seanad as assistant Clerk. Many years later as one of the four surviving members of the First Dail, he was asked for his memories of the Civil War. 'Ah,' he said 'when they shot Liam Mellows that broke my heart,' (cf. Seamus O'Neill, 'The Man who was Sinn Fein,' Irish Press 27.9.1973). A superb collection, attractively mounted and preserved, commemorating one of the central and best-loved figures of the Independent Movement, before and after 1916. (1) 'THE MAN WHO WAS SINN FEIN' O'Caoimh (Padraig or Paudie) 1881-1973. A superb and important display of his 1916 and War of Independence Medals, attractively mounted and framed with his Irish Volunteer uniform buttons and cap badge, and his 1916 Survivor's Armband (worn at commemorative parade 1935), and with a good original photograph. The Collection here offered include: a. His 1916 bronze Medal with ribbon and pin; b. His War of Independence bronze Medal (1917-1921), with scarce 'Comrac' bar; c. His 1916-1966 silver gilt Survivors Medal, bar and ribbon; d. Hi