Read on Twitter
*THREAD*
"Research into the "illegal" legal system established under the First Dáil aids a more complex understanding of a key moment in our revolutionary past."
So here's a short thread about some sources you might need to research these courts! https://www.rte.ie/brainstorm/2020/0722/1154958-dail-courts-ireland-war-of-independence-1918-general-election-land-cases/
"Research into the "illegal" legal system established under the First Dáil aids a more complex understanding of a key moment in our revolutionary past."
So here's a short thread about some sources you might need to research these courts! https://www.rte.ie/brainstorm/2020/0722/1154958-dail-courts-ireland-war-of-independence-1918-general-election-land-cases/
There is so much still be learnt about the Dáil Courts - with a treasure trove of resources available at @NARIreland - available on a county-by-county basis, which is fantastic for those seeking to put together either a single microhistorical account or multi-county comparison
@NLIreland also has some great holdings on the Dáil Courts, especially in the Sean O'Duffy papers.
Other collections include some rare finds, such as Áine Ceannt's receipts from expenses encurred during her time as district judge in the Pembroke and Rathmines Dáil Courts.
Other collections include some rare finds, such as Áine Ceannt's receipts from expenses encurred during her time as district judge in the Pembroke and Rathmines Dáil Courts.
In terms of online sources, plenty of Bureau of Military History witness statements testify to the role and important of these courts.
For example, Kevin O'Shiel's statement (WS 1770) is particularly valuable for those seeking to understand the philosophy behind the courts
For example, Kevin O'Shiel's statement (WS 1770) is particularly valuable for those seeking to understand the philosophy behind the courts
Interestingly on O'Shiel's cover page, the BMH used the term 'Dáil Éireann Land Courts', which is an unusual oversimplification of the civil and criminal roles the Dáil Courts were empowered to act upon
The confusion probably derives from the precursor Arbitration Courts of 1919
The confusion probably derives from the precursor Arbitration Courts of 1919
In terms of secondary literature, the go-to on the Dáil Courts must be Mary Kotsonouris with three books on the subject 'Retreat from Revolution: The Dáil Courts, 1920-24' (1994), The winding up of the Dáil Courts, 1922–1925 (2004) and...
'Tis All Lies, Your Worship...': Tales from the District Court' (2011).
Some excellent localised Dáil Court studies include David Fitzpatrick's look at the courts of Co. Clare (1977) and @MarieMCole's examination of the courts in Co. Longford (2006)
Some excellent localised Dáil Court studies include David Fitzpatrick's look at the courts of Co. Clare (1977) and @MarieMCole's examination of the courts in Co. Longford (2006)
More recently, Joost Westerweel (2013) has allowed open access to their MA thesis on the Dáil Courts which compares experiences between the courts of Co. Donegal, Co. Monaghan, Co. Westmeath, Co. Cork and Co. Limerick
https://openaccess.leidenuniv.nl/bitstream/handle/1887/24912/Final%20version%20thesis.pdf?sequence=1
https://openaccess.leidenuniv.nl/bitstream/handle/1887/24912/Final%20version%20thesis.pdf?sequence=1
And finally (in a shameless piece of self-promotion) I've published some work specifically on the Co. Offaly Dáil Courts, which is now available online here: https://steventmegan.com/2020/07/14/just-another-cog-in-the-revolution-machine-an-examination-of-the-dail-eireann-courts-of-county-offaly-1920-1922/
There's also a YouTube seminar paper which I've recorded for the @BAIrishStudies Online Conference earlier this year (if you don't feel like reading!)
