An original copy of the 1916 Proclamation of the Irish Republic has been sold at auction for €124,000. It is thought to be one of only 50 out of 2,500 original copies to still exist.
The document is one of the most important in Irish political history.
It was drawn up by the main political groups taking part in the 1916 Easter Rising – the Irish Volunteers , the Irish Citizen Army and the Irish Republican Brotherhood. It was read from the steps of Dublin General Post Office by revolutionary leader, Patrick Pearse.
The auction took place at James Adams & Sons Auction House, Dublin and attracted serious interest from four bidders before selling for €124,000, double its estimated price.
The identity of the bidder is unknown, although they are believed to be Irish and from Co Longford.
An iconic image from Irish history
The Proclamation is addressed to the people of Ireland and begins with the now famous words: “IRISHMEN AND IRISHWOMEN In the name of God and the dead generations from which she receives her old tradition of nationhood, Ireland, through us, summons her children to her flag and strikes for freedom…
“We declare the right of the people of Ireland to the ownership of Ireland, and to the unfettered control of Irish destinies, to be sovereign and indefeasible.”
The Proclamation has become an iconic image from Irish history and prints of it are sold all over the world.
