In 2016, to mark the centenary of the 1916 Easter Rising, renowned author and artist Jimmy Wren published a book to commemorate the participants of the Easter Rising from the Four Courts Area.
The unique book was a limited edition publication and, as far as I know, sold out shortly after its launch. It includes short biographies of all the known participants who took part in activities within the Four Courts area, including the Magazine Fort and Mendicity Institution. The biographies include details of known activities, occupation, political allegiance, membership of the GAA or Gaelic League
Jimmy, well known as an accomplished artist throughout Ireland, and Dublin in particular, included hand drawn illustrations for the majority of the entries in the book.
Quite a number of the listed participants in the remarkable book are members of Na Fianna Eireann, who bravely fought alongside their Irish Volunteer, Irish Citizen Army, Cumann na mBan and Hibernian Rifles comrades during Easter week 1916.
I was lucky enough to get a signed copy of the book after it was released, and even more fortunate to kindly receive from Jimmy a number of the original hand drawn illustrations of prominent Fianna participants.
The featured image here is of Herbert ‘Barney’ Mellows, who was a crucial player during the events of that week, where he took part in activities at the Magazine Fort, Phoenix Park and afterwards reported to Captain Frank Fahy of C Coy, 1st Bn, who occupied the Four Courts. Fahy appointed Mellows his aide-de-camp, with responsibilities for issuing supplies and ammunition.
At that time Mellows was an important part of Fianna hierarchy and sat on the Fianna ard-choisde (central council); he was also national Fianna director of finance.
After the surrender, Mellows was arrested and sent to Stafford Prison, England, and eventually on to Frongoch, Wales.
Further reading: https://fiannaeireannhistory.wordpress.com/2020/06/09/herbert-charles-barney-mellows-1896-1942/
The Four Courts Garrison and Mendicity Institution Easter Week 1916 – A Biographical Dictionary by Jimmy Wren
Published in Ireland by Jimmy Wren Publishing
Copyright (c) 2016 Jimmy Wren
ISBN 978-1-5272-0447-8
The book was published in association with Dublin County Board GAA and the Dublin City Council Area Committee.
In addition to this valuable book, Jimmy also published a similar volume of work on the GPO Garrison. Jimmy’s father, James Wren was a member of the GPO Garrison during Easter Week 1916.
He also authored several other books on the history of Dublin and the GAA.
The History of Na Fianna Éireann 