Irish Citizen Army: Procuring Arms in Inchicore

In the run up to the 1916 Rising the Irish Citizen Army secured Guns and ammunition from a well placed source in Inchicore.

In 1912, James Larkin purchased 122 Emmet Road in Inchicore. Soon renamed Emmet Hall, the building acted as headquarters for the local branch of the ITGWU.


In 1913, Cllr. William Partridge, a socialist republican and leading trade unionist who had extensive contacts among the workers in Inchicore, was appointed general manager at the hall. Partridge immediately set about the task of raising the profile and increasing the membership of the new union.

When the Irish Citizen Army was established during the 1913 Lockout, Partridge was elected Vice President of the organisation. A strong section of the Citizen Army was established locally, the Inchicore- Crumlin No. 3 Section, which had its headquarters at Emmet Hall.

Partridge was later appointed National Organiser of the ITGWU. With the work taking him away from Inchicore, Michael Mallin, Connolly's Chief of Staff of Citizen Army, was appointed to replace him. Mallin and his family moved into the living quarters above Emmet Hall.

At first glance, the location of Emmet Hall, situated beside Richmond Barracks, does not seem to be the ideal location for revolutionary activity. The Hall was so close to Richmond Barracks, that only a high wall separated them. Mallin however, was a highly effective revolutionary and wasn't put off. He had soon turned the location of the hall to his advantage, particularly for acquiring arms for the Citizen Army.

At this time many Irish soldiers had joined the British Army to attain a wage and secure employment. These soldiers had no loyalty to the 'King or the empire'. Contact was made with one such solider based at the barracks who was supportive of the Citizen Army. This man agreed to acquire rifles and ammunition from within the barracks and supply them to Mallin.

Through this contact, Mallin soon established a steady stream of weapons and ammunition destined for revolutionary purposes from deep within the stocks of the enemy. Importantly, this arrangement gave the Citizen Army access to modern weapons that would be of great use in the coming fight for an Irish Republic.

In his account to the Bureau of Military History, Frank Robbins a Sargent in the Citizen Army, spoke about his involvement in the supply line from Inchicore:

'Michael Mallin and his family lived on the premises of

the Inchicore Branch of the Irish Transport Union, adjacent to

Richmond Barracks, which is now known as Keogh Square. Only

a fairly high wall separated this building from the actual

barracks ground. The close proximity was of great assistance

in procuring rifles, through contacts made with a sympathetic

Irishman who was a member of the British Army. By this

contact we were able to increase our stores of up to date

rifles with advantage.

On one occasion, in the Winter 1915, it fell to my lot

to be detailed to visit Inchicore at 9 p.m., the instruction

being to get there sharp on time, neither before or after the

hour given. My journey to Inchicore was accomplished on a

bicycle. On my way up Cork Hill, just at Christchurch

Cathedral, a member of the D.M.P. stepped out and held me up

because I had no light. My bicycle was not in perfect

condition, the chain being defective, and I had no alternative

but to halt. On being questioned by this member of the

D.M.P., he asked for my name and address and was given a

fictitious one. During all the questioning one has to endure 

under such circumstances I was keeping my eye on the

main purpose, to be at Inchicore by nine o'clock which could

brook very little further delay. 

Thereupon I tried to impress on the police officer that I was on a very important

mission of mercy, seeking a doctor to attend my mother who

was very ill. He became suspicious and it seemed that very

little would have made him reach a decision to take me to the

nearest police barracks. My mind was made up that this

must not be allowed to happen, and when it seemed certain

that I must use my revolver he decided to let me pass on,

with instructions that I must not ride the bicycle without

a light. 

This instruction was derided, for I immediately

hopped on the bicycle and set off for Inchicore. Arriving

there on time, a Lee Enfield rifle was immediately strapped

on my bicycle and I set off again to the city in less than a

minute from the time I had entered the premises at Inchicore.

Other members of the Irish Citizen Army made similar visits

of this kind from time to time, but eventually the source

dried up.'

As Robbins points out, at some point before the Rising this source dried up. This was possibly because the British, becoming more aware and concerned at the increasing militancy of Irish republicans, tightened security. But by then it was too late. Mallin's supply line had been lucrative for the Irish Citizen Army and ensured a modern supply of arms were on hand whenever they were needed.

The Irish Citizen Army and Dublin South Central

The establishment of the Irish Citizen Army was a majorly important event in the history of Ireland.

Born as a workers defence militia in 1913 during the heat of class war in Dublin, the Citizen Army soon became a highly effective force dedicated to winning national liberation and socialism in Ireland.

The Citizen Army, under the leadership of James Connolly was one of the driving forces in the 1916 Rising. It can be strongly argued that the Rising would not have taken place without the Citizen Army.

Dublin South Central was home to a strong detachment of the Citizen Army, covering the areas from Inchicore to Crumlin. The section was under the command of Michael Mallin and had it's headquarters at Emmett Hall, Emmett road in Inchicore. Many local Army Volunteers worked in the nearby railway works and the Army was very well organised in the local area.

The local Citizen Army have a proud history, playing a key role in events leading up to the Rising and during the fighting of Easter week. Many local Citizen Army veterans continued to play an active role in the republican movement in the aftermath of 1916 and were a driving force in the establishment of highly successful local IRA unit, F Company, 4th Battalion Dublin Brigade.

In the coming weeks we will publish a number of  original articles highlighting the role of the Citizen Army in the radical history of Dublin South Central's Fighting Story.

Check back soon for more details.