Guide to the John Byrne Collection
MSS.1971.01.01
SJSU Special Collections & Archives
© 2008
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library
San José State University
One Washington Square
San José, CA 95192-0028
special.collections@sjsu.edu
Language of Material:
English
Contributing Institution:
SJSU Special Collections & Archives
Title: John Byrne Collection
Identifier/Call Number: MSS.1971.01.01
Physical Description:
6 boxes
(7.5 linear feet)
Date (inclusive): 1886-1987
Abstract: Friends of Irish Freedom (FOIF), the American Association for the Recognition of the Irish Republic (AARIR), the Ancient Order
of Hibernians (AOH), the
Irish Press (Dublin, Ireland), the Irish Republican Prisoners and Soldiers Dependents Fund, and the Celtic Cross Association are among
the many Irish American organizations that worked to support and fund Ireland's fight for independence. This collection primarily
consists of materials and documents from the AARIR, but it also contains documents from other Irish American organizations
that relate to the administrative and fund raising activities in which Irish Americans engaged. Additionally, there are numerous
Irish American newspapers, clippings, and pamphlets which document the struggle for an Irish Republic.
Access
Collection is open for research.
Publication Rights
Copyright has not been assigned to the San José State University Library Special Collections & Archives. All requests for
permission to publish or quote manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Director of Special Collections. Permission
for publication is given on behalf of the Special Collections & Archives as the owner of the physical items and is not intended
to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained by the reader. Copyright restrictions
also apply to digital representations of the original materials. Use of digital files from or derived from these collections
is restricted to research and educational purposes.
Preferred Citation
John Byrne Collection, MSS-1971-01-01, San José State University Library, Special Collections & Archives.
Processing Information
Collection processed by Diana Kohnke. Finding aid EAD encoded by Diana Kohnke. Additional materials in the collection processed
and EAD encoded by Lynn Sheehy. Reviewed by Danelle Moon and Erin Louthen. Additional rehousing completed, and finding aid
updated, by Stephanie Watson, June 2016.
Project Information
This finding aid was created as part of the Survey and Cataloging Project, a two-year San José State University Library grant
project funded by the National Historical Publications and Records Commission. The project began in 2008. The Project Director
is Danelle Moon. The Project Archivist is Erin Louthen.
Acquisition Information
This is an artificial collection and has been added to by multiple individuals. However, the bulk of the materials were donated
by Dr. Mary Condon, professor of Irish History at San José State University in the 1960s. The remainder of the collection
was compiled by San José State University library staff.
Custodial History
The bulk of the materials in this collection were preserved and maintained by the Secretary-Treasurer of the Southern California
chapter of the AARIR, John Byrne. John Byrne entrusted these materials to Dr. Mary Condon.
Biographical History
John Byrne was born circa 1866 on a small farm 25 miles south of Dublin near Asford, Wicklow County, Ireland. In 1906 Byrne
moved to Los Angeles, California and became instrumental in helping to fund the Irish nationalist movement. Friends of Irish
Freedom (FOIF) emerged in California in 1916, becoming the state's primary Irish American organization. Its main purpose was
to gain independence for Ireland. John Byrne was the Secretary-Treasurer of the Southern California chapter of the FOIF and
worked to promote the cause by writing letters and distributing pamphlets. When the FOIF of California merged with Eamon De
Valera's newly founded American Association for the Recognition of the Irish Republic (AARIR), Byrne became the Secretary-Treasurer
of the Los Angeles chapter. Although returning only once to Ireland, John Byrne devoted his life to the Irish nationalist
cause.
Bibliography
Sarbaugh, Timothy J.
John Byrne: The Life and Times of the Forgotten Irish Republican of Los Angeles. Southern California Quarterly. 63, no.4 (Winter 1981).
Scope and Content of Collection
This artifical collection consists of materials relating to the activities of Irish American organizations as they worked
to support and promote Irish independence. The bulk of the documents represented are mainly from the early twentieth century
and are primarily from the Los Angeles chapter of the American Association for the Recognition of the Irish Republic (AARIR).
Items from the merging of the Friends of Irish Freedom (FOIF) with the AARIR are also represented. Additionally, there are
a significant number of documents from other Irish American organizations which are represented, such as the Ancient Order
of Hibernians (AOH), the Celtic Cross Association, the
Irish Press, the American Trade Defense Commission, the Irish White Cross, the Irish Republican Prisoners and Soldiers Dependents Fund,
and the American League for the Irish Freedom Fund. The collection contains financial records, organizational correspondence
and personal correspondence, publicity and event documents, newspapers, newspaper clippings, pamphlets, oral history tapes
and transcripts, and other printed matter.
Arrangement
This collection is arranged into four series: Series I: Personal Correspondence; Series II: Organizations; Series III: Printed
Matter; and Series IV: Miscellaneous Related Material.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Republicanism -- Ireland -- History -- 20th century
Irish Americans -- Newspapers
Irish Americans -- Societies, etc.
Irish Americans -- California
Irish American Catholics -- California -- History
Sinn Fein
Ancient Order of Hibernians
Celtic Cross (Organization)
Friends of Irish Freedom
Irish Press (Dublin, Ireland)
Irish Republican Army
Personal Correspondence Series 1
1886-1962
Scope and Contents note
This series consists of the personal correspondence of John Byrne and reflects his lifelong commitment to the Irish nationalist
cause. Included are letters to and from prominent Irish leaders, including Eamon De Valera and Sean O'Kelly.
Box 1, Folder 1
Personal Correspondence
1924-1962
Box 1, Folder 2
Personal Correspondence
1908-1954
Box 1, Folder 3
Personal Correspondence
1901-1954
Box 1, Folder 4
Personal Correspondence
1935-1958
Box 1, Folder 5
Personal Correspondence
1911-1950
Box 1, Folder 6
Personal Correspondence
1926-1961
Box 1, Folder 7
Personal Correspondence
1941
Box 1, Folder 8
Personal Correspondence
1941-1956
Box 1, Folder 9
Personal Correspondence
1953-1961
Box 1, Folder 10
Personal Correspondence
1948-1961
Box 1, Folder 11
Personal Correspondence
1886-1957
Box 1, Folder 12
Personal Correspondence
1955-1961
Box 1, Folder 13
Personal Correspondence
1916-1959
Box 1, Folder 14
Personal Correspondence
1889-1960
Organizations Series 2
1919-1959
Scope and Contents note
This series consists of documents from national, regional, and Californian Irish American organizations. It includes items
such as: financial records, correspondence and Irish bonds. This series also contains national, regional, and Californian
AARIR documents. However, the majority of the documents reflect the activities of the Los Angeles Chapter of the AARIR, and
its role in the Irish Republican cause. This series is arranged alphabetically and is deliniated by organizational name.
Box 1, Folder 15
America First Committee
undated
Box 1, Folder 16
American Commission on Irish Independence
1920
Box 1, Folder 17
American League for Irish Freedom Fund
1919
Box 1, Folder 18
Ancient Order of Hibernians
1917-1923
Box 1, Folder 19
Celtic Cross Association
1921
Box 1, Folder 21
Friends of Irish Freedom: Financials
1919-1920
Box 1, Folder 22
Friends of Irish Freedom: Financials
1920-1921
Box 1, Folder 23
Friends of Irish Freedom: General
1919-1921
Box 1, Folder 24
Irish American Relief
1924
Box 1, Folder 25
Irish Election Fund: Irish Republican Party
1922-1926
Box 1, Folder 26
Irish Freedom League
1924
Box 1, Folder 27
Irish Press (Dublin, Ireland)
1929-1954
Box 1, Folder 28
Irish Press (Dublin, Ireland)
1928-1955
Box 1, Folder 29
Irish Republican Soldiers and Prisoners Dependents Fund
1924
Box 1, Folder 30
Irish Volunteers Dependents Fund
1921
Box 1, Folder 31
Irish Women's Purchasing League
1924
Box 1, Folder 32
United Irish Societies
1922-1923
Box 1, Folder 33
Women's Prisoner's Defense League
1929
Box 1, Folder 34
American Association for the Recognition of the Irish Republic: Articles and Incorporation
1937
Box 1, Folder 35
American Association for the Recognition of the Irish Republic: Bulletins
1921-1926
Box 1, Folder 36
American Association for the Recognition of the Irish Republic: Bulletins
1921
Box 2, Folder 1
American Association for the Recognition of the Irish Republic: Correspondence
1919-1959
Box 2, Folder 2
American Association for the Recognition of the Irish Republic: Correspondence
1921-1930
Box 2, Folder 3
American Association for the Recognition of the Irish Republic: Events
1929-1934
Box 2, Folder 4
American Association for the Recognition of the Irish Republic: Financials
1921-1926
Box 2, Folder 5
American Association for the Recognition of the Irish Republic: Financials
1921-1923
Box 2, Folder 6
American Association for the Recognition of the Irish Republic: Financials
1921-1936
Box 2, Folder 7
American Association for the Recognition of the Irish Republic: Financials
1921-1937
Box 2, Folder 8
American Association for the Recognition of the Irish Republic: General
1921-1936
Box 2, Folder 9
American Association for the Recognition of the Irish Republic: General
1924-1931
Box 2, Folder 10
American Association for the Recognition of the Irish Republic: General
1926-1930
Box 2, Folder 11
American Association for the Recognition of the Irish Republic: Resolutions
1927
Printed Matter Series 3
1890-1987
Scope and Contents note
This series reflects the activities of the Irish nationalist movement in the United States and, in more specific cases, California.
Items included in this series are: pamphlets, bulletins, speeches, press releases and event documents relating to Irish Americans
in the United States, a variety of general newspaper clippings both cultural and political in nature, AARIR correspondence,
picnic and reunion programs, and American reports on conditions in Ireland. Examples of Irish American and Irish newspapers
included in this series are:
The Irish American Review,
The Republic,
The Irish Nation,
The Irish World,
The Leader,
National Hibernian,
The Wicklow People,
Sinn Fein,
Irish Press,
Irish World,
The Irish Republic,
The Irish Republic,
The Irish Press,
The Los Angeles Examiner,
National Hibernian,
Sinn Fein, and
The Wicklow People.
Box 2, Folder 15
Printed Matter
undated, 1919-1920
Box 3, Folder 2
Printed Matter
1941-1949, 1962
Box 3, Folder 14
Printed Matter
undated, 1927
Box 3, Folder 17
Printed Matter
undated, 1914-1960
Box 3, Folder 19
Printed Matter
undated, 1932-1938
Box 4, Folder 1
Printed Matter
undated, 1926-1927
Box 4, Folder 3
Printed Matter
circa 1920-1929
Box 4, Folder 4
Printed Matter
circa 1920-1929
Box 4, Folder 5
Printed Matter
undated, 1917-1926
Box 4, Folder 6
Printed Matter
undated, 1923
Box 4, Folder 7
Printed Matter
undated, 1928
Box 4, Folder 11
Printed Matter
1927, 1970
Box 4, Folder 28
Printed Matter
undated, 1923, 1967
Box 5, Folder 7
Printed Matter
1924, 1954,1959
Box 5, Folder 8
Printed Matter
1921, 1951, 1954
Miscellaneous Related Material Series 4
1890-1987
Scope and Contents note
This series contains miscellaneous materials associated with John Byrne and Mary Condon including: personal correspondence
of John Byrne, letters to Mary Condon from Dennis Clark, the death certificate and personal effects documents of IRA member
Tom Fay, materials gathered by Timothy Sarbaugh for personal research purposes, and oral history tapes believed to be of Joseph
Wehrly, the Murray Family, Margaret White, and John Bryne, Jr. Two boxes contain index cards used to organize the collection
at an earlier date.
Box 5, Folder 9
Correspondence to Mary Condon
undated, 1946-1974
Box 5, Folder 10
Personal Papers of Mary Condon
undated, 1922-1967
Box 5, Folder 11
Department of External Affairs of Ireland: Statements and Speeches
1970
Box 5, Folder 12
Letter to Timothy Sarbough
1979
Box 5, Folder 13
Miscellaneous Material
1908-1989
Box 5, Folder 14
Murray Family Interview by Mary Condon
1968 August
Box 5, Folder 15
Murray Family Interview by Mary Condon (copy)
1968 August
Box 5, Folder 16
Interview Fionna by Mary Condon
undated
Box 5, Folder 17
Interview Cahalan by Mary Condon
1989 September 15
