Author: Curtis, Bairbre Paper No.: 225 ( in archive) Title: 1916 in North Co. Dublin Year: 2002 Nat. Library No: Not in N.L. Contents: "Little has been written about the footsoldiers, the ordinary men and women who supported the bid for Independence". In this paper the author fouses on the social and cultural background of the men of the Fifth Fingal Brigade, with special reference to Thomas Ashe and Richard Coleman. They achieved one of the few convincing military successes during the brief rebellion, at Ashbourne, Co. Meath. Thomas Ashe, who was Commandant of the Ashbourne Brigade, was possibly the main influence in cultivating the spirit of Nationalism in the area. Schoolmaster at Corduff. He was a member of the same branch of the Gaelic Leage in Dublin, the Keating Branch, which included Thomas McDonagh, Richard Mulcahy, Cathal Brugha and Michael Collins. He was a popular teacher as he did not believe in corporal punishment, and held Irish classes in Lusk library and Irish dancing classes also. A dramatic society flourished under his direction and he founded the Black Raven Pipers around 1910. Three years later, they won the Irish championship in Galway. The case of Balbriggan is examined as an exception in the region. The story of the Fingal Volunteers after the split and their fate following surrender and internment is told. . .More Sources: Repositories: Allen Library/NMI/NLI/UCD Fingal County Council Archive Military Archives, Dublin 6 Swords Heritage Centre & Museum SHS Archive Materials: Newspapers An t-Óglagh Drogheda Independent Catholic Bulletin Fingal Fingerprint Irish Freedom Irish War News Saturday Herald Other Materials: Census of Ireland Frongoch Camp Register of Prisoners Minute Books Balbriggan Town Commissioners Rolls of Honour 1916 Garrisons (NMI) William O'Brien Papers (NLI) Richard Mulcahy Papers (UCD) Lusk Parish Registers Private Papers: e.g. Mr Thomas Seaver (Glenstal) Patrick Weston (Lusk) Interviews