Military archives on IRA in Rochdale

Military archives detailing records about IRA activity in Rochdale in the 1920s have become available for the public to view.

The Bureau of Military History has a dedicated website which allows people to search through the collection of witness statements, photographs, voice recordings and other documents.

The Bureau has a range of material dating back to the period between 1913 and 1921. These documents were contributed by a variety of people, often witnesses or participants in events.

For example, a witness statement by Officer Sean Walsh, gives details about a member of the IRA who was involved in the burning of Balderstone Mills in Rochdale.

This member of the IRA, named in the statement as P. J. Carney, was said to have been involved in the attempt to stop Ellis, a hangman from Rochdale, from crossing to Ireland. This mission was also mentioned in a witness statement by Joseph Dolan.

Users of the site can use the search tool to find material on particular areas, people, events and may be useful to the own research.

Visit the Military Archives website: http://www.militaryarchives.ie