- Harry Boland
Harry Boland (1887–1922) was an Irish nationalist of the early Twentieth century.
Born in
Dublin in 1887, Boland was active in GAA circles in early life, and ultimately joined theIrish Republican Brotherhood .He later joined the
Irish Volunteers (along with his brothers) and took an active part in the events of theEaster Rising in 1916.At the 1918 general election he was elected to represent the South Roscommon seat. In line with all the
Sinn Féin MPs elected at that election he did not represent his constituents atWestminster but withdrew to sit in the declared independentDáil Éireann (theFirst Dáil ). He was named byde Valera as special envoy to theUnited States . He left Ireland for theUnited States of America along withÉamon de Valera as part of a campaign to raise awareness and support for their cause in America. He also received theRussian Crown Jewels as collateral for a loan of $25000 to theSoviet Republic from the head of the Soviet Bureau,Ludwig Martens . These jewels were transferred to Ireland when he returned.During the
Irish War of Independence Boland operated alongside Michael Collins.He opposed the
Anglo-Irish Treaty along with de Valera, and in the ensuingIrish Civil War sided with the Republicans. In 1922, he was re-elected to the Dáil representing "Roscommon South".Harry Boland was shot by members of the Free State "National Army" at the "Skerries Grand Hotel" on 31 July. Although the hotel has since been destroyed, there is a commemorative plaque on the site stating that Boland was shot at that location. He died several days later in St Vincent's hospital, Dublin. This affected Collins greatly and may have spurred him towards moves to negotiate with the Irregulars as a means to end the fighting as soon as possible.Boland is buried in
Glasnevin Cemetery .Harry Boland's brother
Gerald Boland was a prominent member ofFianna Fáil .In the 1996 movie "Michael Collins", Harry Boland was portrayed by
Aidan Quinn .ee also
*
Families in the Oireachtas Biographies
*Andrew Brasier and John Kelly, "Harry Boland: A Man Divided", Dublin (2000)
*David Fitzpatrick, "Harry Boland's Irish Revolution", Cork University Press (2003)
*Jim Maher, "Harry Boland: A Biography", Dublin (1998)ources
* [http://www.aoh61.com/history/Harry_Boland.htm Harry Boland (1887-1922)]
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