Irish Medals

Irish Political Grocery Bag Young Ireland Nationalist Home Rule

Edward Duggan, was a Waterford grocer, pig dealer and political activist on the Nationalist side. He used teabag/grocery bags, for political propaganda circa 1871 – 74 to promote Irish Home Rule. This is a medium sized blue bag with images of Irish Home Rule Party members Blennerhasset and Martin. This is a medium sized blue grocery bag used in the family grocery shop of Edward Duggan at 43/44 Ballybricken Waterford. Duggan was a grocery owner who was also politically active in Waterford and environs during the second half of the 19th Century. To promote his political views he used this grocery/tea bag. The bag comprises a central portrait of two nationalist M.P’s, ”Blennerhasset ” and ”Martin”. Their image is printed within a shamrock wreath, harps and a round tower and with the slogan ”Home Rule” above the images. The two nationalist politicians depicted on this bag are Rowland Ponsonby Blennerhassett KC, JP (22 July 1850 – 7 April 1913). He entered the House of Commons as an Irish M.P. as a result of a bi-election in 1872. He was a member for Kerry. Secondly, John Martin (8 September 1812 – 29 March 1875). Martin was Irish nationalist activist and a supporter of the Young Irelanders. However, as his career progressed his political views moved away from the more violent approach to non-violent alternatives such as support for tenant farmers’ rights and Home Rule. He was an M.P. for Meath from 1871 to 1875. It is most likely that this bag was produced circa 1871/72 at the time of general elections or perhaps the bi election of 1872. This blue bag is in excellent condition and measures 25cms X 16cms.

€30.00 plus €3.00 Postage

Irish Political Grocery Bag Butt and Smyth

The two nationalist politicians depicted on this bag are Patrick James Smyth (1826-1885). He was a Young Irelander. Smyth had a prominent part in the 1848 Rising. Secondly, Isaac Butt (1813-1879) was a founder of the Home Rule Movement in 1870. It is most likely that this bag was produced circa 1871 at the time of general elections, this was immediately after the setting up of the Irish Home Rule Party. This cream and blue bag is in excellent condition and measures 25cms X 15cms.

€40.00 plus €3.00 postage

Irish Political Grocery Bag Blennerhassett Martin

The two nationalist politicians depicted on this bag are Rowland Ponsonby Blennerhassett KC, JP (22 July 1850 – 7 April 1913). He entered the House of Commons as an Irish M.P. as a result of a bi-election in 1872. He was a member for Kerry. Secondly, John Martin (8 September 1812 – 29 March 1875). Martin was Irish nationalist activist and a supporter of the Young Irelanders. However, as his career progressed his political views moved away from the more violent approach to non-violent alternatives such as support for tenant farmers’ rights and Home Rule. He was an M.P. for Meath from 1871 to 1875. It is most likely that this bag was produced circa 1871/72 at the time of general elections or perhaps the bi election of 1872. This cream coloured bag is in excellent condition and measures 20cms X 13cms.

€40.00 plus €3.00 postage

Irish Dublin 1952 annual pilgrimage Lourdes Badge

Large DUBLIN 1952 annual pilgrimage badge. Worn by pilgrims going on the annual Dublin Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes in 1952. Measures 29.5mm x 38mm, pin is in working order. The first annual Dublin Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes took place in 1948 under the auspices of Archbishop John Charles McQuaid. Thomas Cook Travel was appointed as the official agent for organising travel and accommodation for travelling pilgrims and back then, the five-day pilgrimage to Lourdes including flights cost £33 per person. The annual Dublin Diocesan pilgrimages still take place to this day.

€25.00 plus €3.00 postage