Object of the Week - Macramé Bag Made by a Republican in Internment Camp

This bag was made by Patrick Ormond, Dungarvan while he was interned in Ballykinlar Camp.

The camp was situated near Dundrum Bay, Co. Down and was the first mass internment camp to be established by the British authorities in Ireland in December 1920.

A number of Dungarvan men were interned there including Dan Fraher.  They were housed in Hut 11, known as 'The Headquarters'.

The internees used their talents to organise craft classes, music, drama and sports events.  There is a copy of the camp newsletter 'Barbed Wire' and a play programme on display in the Museum.

On 9th December 1921, three days after the signing of the Anglo-Irish Treaty, all Republican prisoners were released.

'In sweet Ballykinlar
If you are a 'Shinner'
And the Fates they are kindly-or even so, so
In famed Hut Eleven, you're almost in Heaven
With the Senior Line Captain, alive alive oh!'