What are the Brigade Activity Reports?

Just like the Nominal Rolls series, the Brigade Activity Reports were compiled in the mid 1930s to help the verification of pension claims after the enactment of the Military Service Pensions Act 1934.
The Brigade Activity Reports record IRA operations and activities, often naming those involved. Most of the material covers the key period of the War of Independence, from April 1920 to July 1921. Some files go further back to the formation of the Irish Volunteers in 1913–14 and the 1916 Easter Rising, and forward to the end of the Civil War in 1923.

Read more about the files and explore the entire series of the Brigade Activity Reports HERE.

Over the 151 files forming this series, 4 files focus largely on the events in 1916.

Easter Week 1916 County Galway - A21_4_A

The file gathers statements, correspondence, and records about Irish Volunteer and Cumann na mBan activity in County Galway during Easter Week 1916. It includes testimonies from former Volunteers, along with notes and transcriptions from the Advisory Committee process.

Other material includes a protest from the Ardrahan Old IRA about lack of recognition, official acknowledgements, and lists of participants in actions such as the attack on Oranmore RIC Barracks, including Cumann na mBan members. There are also statements from an RIC member, letters supporting individual pension claims, and correspondence sharing reports on 1916 activities and pension awards.

The file concludes with a detailed list of 223 Galway veterans who received pensions, including information on their service, locations, and involvement in specific actions.

Easter Week 1916 County Galway - A_21_4_B

The file brings together material on Irish Volunteer activity in County Galway during Easter Week 1916, collected as part of the 1934 Military Service Pensions Act process. It includes sworn statements from former Volunteers submitted to the Referee and Advisory Committee, as well as a legal submission by Seán McBride on activity in Galway.

There are also typed reports reviewing events in East Galway and explaining how pension awards were decided under the 1924 and 1934 Acts. These documents outline how service during 1916 was assessed and suggest ways to recognise Volunteers who did not qualify for pensions.

Louth Area Easter Week 1916 Activities 1st Brigade, 4th Northern Division - A_51_3

The file gathers information on Irish Volunteer activity in Louth, Meath, and Dublin during Easter Week 1916, with a particular focus on the Louth-Meath Brigade. It includes lists of participants provided by former officers and members, as well as records showing who applied for pensions and what awards they received.

There are also signed statements and a typed summary of the brigade’s activities based on evidence from applicants, prepared by the Pensions Advisory Committee.

In addition, the file includes detailed submissions from former brigade members (including Seán McEntee), along with correspondence between officials and contributors about access to documents and pension claims. It also contains letters about Dundalk participants, membership lists, requests to submit further evidence, and internal government notes.

North Wexford Brigade. Easter Week 1916 — Enniscorthy - A_66_2

The file brings together information about Irish Volunteer activity in County Wexford during Easter Week 1916, especially in Enniscorthy.. It is interesting as it includes explanations of what counted as “active service,” along with personal statements from former Volunteers describing what happened locally.

There are also lists of people who took part in events in Enniscorthy, created by the North Wexford Brigade Old IRA, and a map of the town marking key locations linked to the 1916 Rising.

In addition, the file contains typed documents outlining how the pension system worked, how decisions were made, and suggestions for recognising certain Volunteers who did not qualify for pensions.