Military Service Pensions Archive. The largest collection in the Military Archives in Ireland. www.militaryarchives.ie www.militarypensions.wordpress.comhttps://bsky.app/profile/msp-archive.bsky.socialhttps://bsky.app/profile/msp-archive.bsky.social/post/3mtlch7syjs2bNEW BLOG Examines the Sep. 1920 capture of Kevin Barry feat. newly released files for eight participants. Article establishes an accurate list of IRA members involved, subsequent Civil War positions, emigration stories, and how many received pensions. https://militarypensions.wordpress.com/2026/08/21/r20-kevin-barrys-capture-who-was-with-him-20-sep-1920/21 Aug 2026 08:05 +0000at://did:plc:sdysqoa5mgxpjcthp5devsdh/app.bsky.feed.post/3mtlch7syjs2bhttps://bsky.app/profile/msp-archive.bsky.social/post/3mtbklbb4hs2bNew blog post avb. Release 20 from the MSPC looks at the case of #Mayo man John Cannon and his treatment after capture in 1921. https://militarypensions.wordpress.com/2026/08/17/kicked-into-unconsciousness/17 Aug 2026 11:04 +0000at://did:plc:sdysqoa5mgxpjcthp5devsdh/app.bsky.feed.post/3mtbklbb4hs2bhttps://bsky.app/profile/msp-archive.bsky.social/post/3msxpet6ip22bNew blog looking at the controversy surrounding a shooting in Ballina, Co. Mayo in Dec. 1922. National Army Lieut. Michael T Foynes was shot in both legs by another soldier in Cosgrave’s pub It led to years of claims and appeals for compensation. https://militarypensions.wordpress.com/2026/08/13/r20-he-knew-as-much-about-a-rifle-as-a-pig-does-the-disputed-mayo-civil-war-shooting-of-michael-foynes/13 Aug 2026 13:03 +0000at://did:plc:sdysqoa5mgxpjcthp5devsdh/app.bsky.feed.post/3msxpet6ip22bhttps://bsky.app/profile/msp-archive.bsky.social/post/3mssawf7r7k2bNEW BLOG! Examining a B Specials raid on the McKeown family near Magherafelt in rural south Derry in May 1922. Three brothers were shot, one was killed. R20 contains files of the two wounded and a file for a fourth brother who was away on the night. https://militarypensions.wordpress.com/2026/08/11/r20-shooting-of-three-mckeown-brothers-in-co-derry-may-1922/11 Aug 2026 09:01 +0000at://did:plc:sdysqoa5mgxpjcthp5devsdh/app.bsky.feed.post/3mssawf7r7k2bhttps://bsky.app/profile/msp-archive.bsky.social/post/3msiopzq6b225Archivist Sam McGrath examines an attempted massacre of five IRA prisoners in County Kerry on 7 March 1923. Same day as Ballyseedy and Countess Bridge. New MSPC release contains files relating to 3 survivors while the file of another is already out. https://militarypensions.wordpress.com/2026/08/07/r20-attempted-fourth-kerry-massacre-on-the-same-day-as-ballyseedy-march-1923/07 Aug 2026 13:42 +0000at://did:plc:sdysqoa5mgxpjcthp5devsdh/app.bsky.feed.post/3msiopzq6b225https://bsky.app/profile/msp-archive.bsky.social/post/3msie7mfi4c2xArchivist Michael Keane's new blog about the controversy surrounding the awarding of a IRA medal to John Clarke of Ballina, Co Mayo. Clarke was forced to give it up after re-investigation. Father of Jackie Clarke, collector of Irish history material. https://militarypensions.wordpress.com/2026/08/04/it-has-made-a-laughing-stock-of-the-whole-movement-john-clarkes-disputed-service-1917-1921-medal-award/07 Aug 2026 10:34 +0000at://did:plc:sdysqoa5mgxpjcthp5devsdh/app.bsky.feed.post/3msie7mfi4c2xhttps://bsky.app/profile/msp-archive.bsky.social/post/3mrwd5muey223Our first blog post examines a variety of interesting cases from our latest file release. This is Part 1. Enjoy! Release 20 – Highlights Pt1 – Military Service Pensions Archive https://share.google/gEXbw44lJrUOgYcrL31 Jul 2026 06:27 +0000at://did:plc:sdysqoa5mgxpjcthp5devsdh/app.bsky.feed.post/3mrwd5muey223https://bsky.app/profile/msp-archive.bsky.social/post/3mrrg3dgyoc2zMSPC Release 20 is now live! Access all new 1,035 entries and all new 2,500 files at www.militaryarchives.ie (MSPC). Access the release breakdown and the full list of individuals whose files are being released. 👇🏽 lnkd.in/dhUHgqYB Search the whole database: lnkd.in/dkc85wKg https://www.militaryarchives.ie29 Jul 2026 07:36 +0000at://did:plc:sdysqoa5mgxpjcthp5devsdh/app.bsky.feed.post/3mrrg3dgyoc2zhttps://bsky.app/profile/msp-archive.bsky.social/post/3ml4e2xate22p👀 https://www.militaryarchives.ie/en/news-and-events/a-new-search-for-the-nominal-rolls05 May 2026 14:03 +0000at://did:plc:sdysqoa5mgxpjcthp5devsdh/app.bsky.feed.post/3ml4e2xate22phttps://bsky.app/profile/msp-archive.bsky.social/post/3mjhn7i55qk2x📢 Online now! New 1916 action map. Re-discover 1916: the people and the places. Military Archives | Easter Rising 1916 https://share.google/QtYFcn1wEmtsazEjW14 Apr 2026 14:55 +0000at://did:plc:sdysqoa5mgxpjcthp5devsdh/app.bsky.feed.post/3mjhn7i55qk2xhttps://bsky.app/profile/msp-archive.bsky.social/post/3mfoy5io33c2kA Vendetta in Mohill: The 1922 Shooting of Patrick McKenna https://militarypensions.wordpress.com/2026/02/09/a-vendetta-in-mohill-the-1922-shooting-of-patrick-mckenna/25 Feb 2026 15:19 +0000at://did:plc:sdysqoa5mgxpjcthp5devsdh/app.bsky.feed.post/3mfoy5io33c2khttps://bsky.app/profile/msp-archive.bsky.social/post/3mfoy3pwt6s2kExecution of RIC Divisional Commissioner Smyth (July 1920) https://militarypensions.wordpress.com/2026/02/16/execution-of-ric-divisional-commissioner-smyth-july-1920/25 Feb 2026 15:18 +0000at://did:plc:sdysqoa5mgxpjcthp5devsdh/app.bsky.feed.post/3mfoy3pwt6s2khttps://bsky.app/profile/msp-archive.bsky.social/post/3mfox7bb7ws2kImportant point: Archivists have no authority to 'reopen cases' of pension applications lodged a hundred years ago, nor do we conflate recognition and award of pension. An unsuccessful pension does not mean applicants were not there or are lying about their activities.25 Feb 2026 15:02 +0000at://did:plc:sdysqoa5mgxpjcthp5devsdh/app.bsky.feed.post/3mfox7bb7ws2khttps://bsky.app/profile/msp-archive.bsky.social/post/3mcu43xkux22bThe MSPA team is getting ready for a file release! A belated Christmas present if you will 🎁 Release 19 contains well over 1,000 new names added to our database and over 2,400 new files (described and scanned). Breakdown and nominal list to follow... #Archives #IrishRevolution20 Jan 2026 11:57 +0000at://did:plc:sdysqoa5mgxpjcthp5devsdh/app.bsky.feed.post/3mcu43xkux22bhttps://bsky.app/profile/msp-archive.bsky.social/post/3m2jf6h6p2s2mHi all, access to MSPC search systems may be temporarily disrupted due to maintenance work. We appreciate your patience and will restore full service as soon as possible.06 Oct 2025 10:19 +0000at://did:plc:sdysqoa5mgxpjcthp5devsdh/app.bsky.feed.post/3m2jf6h6p2s2mhttps://bsky.app/profile/msp-archive.bsky.social/post/3lxwkvfp62k2aLatest MSPC blog post! wp.me/p8QdX0-2EX https://wp.me/p8QdX0-2EX03 Sep 2025 11:50 +0000at://did:plc:sdysqoa5mgxpjcthp5devsdh/app.bsky.feed.post/3lxwkvfp62k2ahttps://bsky.app/profile/msp-archive.bsky.social/post/3lrx3dbwubw2iRelease 18 Highlights (Pt. 3) – The Civic Guard in the Civil War, the veteran who repaid his pension, and some interesting documents On the left - One of the few personal photographs found so far in the collection. Margaret Kelly, widow of Patrick Kelly MSP34REF19983 https://militarypensions.wordpress.com/2025/06/17/release-18-highlights-pt-3-the-civic-guard-in-the-civil-war-the-veteran-who-repaid-his-pension-and-some-interesting-documents/19 Jun 2025 08:13 +0000at://did:plc:sdysqoa5mgxpjcthp5devsdh/app.bsky.feed.post/3lrx3dbwubw2ihttps://bsky.app/profile/msp-archive.bsky.social/post/3lruna3u6c52iRelease 18 Highlights – Kilkenny native jailed in Canada John Keane (MSP34REF1992) was born in Kilkenny in 1892 and joined the Irish Volunteers in 1916. He later left his position as a draper’s assistant in Kenny’s, High Street, Kilkenny and became a member of the Active Service Unit (Flying… https://militarypensions.wordpress.com/2025/06/18/release-18-highlights-kilkenny-native-jailed-in-canada/18 Jun 2025 08:55 +0000at://did:plc:sdysqoa5mgxpjcthp5devsdh/app.bsky.feed.post/3lruna3u6c52ihttps://bsky.app/profile/msp-archive.bsky.social/post/3lrsmrievgc2wRelease 18 is live and this is the first installment of a series of blog posts highlighting the best, the strangest, the go-against-grain stories of this new release. Enjoy! https://militarypensions.wordpress.com/2025/06/17/release-18-highlights-pt-1/17 Jun 2025 13:42 +0000at://did:plc:sdysqoa5mgxpjcthp5devsdh/app.bsky.feed.post/3lrsmrievgc2whttps://bsky.app/profile/msp-archive.bsky.social/post/3lrpjarmvys2v#R18 Here is a teaser about our release, along with a full nominal list. Over 2,100 files will enter the public domain tomorrow. This month, we're clocking at 20,940 individual entries for Pensions only, all files digitised and FREE to access. https://www.militaryarchives.ie/en/online-collections/military-service-pensions-collection-1916-1923/release-history/release-history-2023-2025/june-202516 Jun 2025 08:01 +0000at://did:plc:sdysqoa5mgxpjcthp5devsdh/app.bsky.feed.post/3lrpjarmvys2vhttps://bsky.app/profile/msp-archive.bsky.social/post/3lqwr26olu22bHappy to announce that the MSPA Project Team will proceed to its 18th Release on Tuesday 17 June. More than 2000 files are in the starting blocks. More details soon. #Archives #PublicRelease https://media.tenor.com/UrjPXQBjJD0AAAAC/sweating-wet.gif?hh=286&ww=49806 Jun 2025 11:44 +0000at://did:plc:sdysqoa5mgxpjcthp5devsdh/app.bsky.feed.post/3lqwr26olu22bhttps://bsky.app/profile/msp-archive.bsky.social/post/3lqsekxangs2qMSP Archive Cinic! Do you have any questions regarding the collection or the pensions legislation? Can we help? #MSPAC04 Jun 2025 17:50 +0000at://did:plc:sdysqoa5mgxpjcthp5devsdh/app.bsky.feed.post/3lqsekxangs2qhttps://bsky.app/profile/msp-archive.bsky.social/post/3lqsedbj2oc2qThe cataloguing + digitising of the Military Service Pensions Archive participates in making the archives of Ireland’s revolution one of the most documented and most freely accessible revolutionary archives in the world. The Internal Archives Week 2025 is almost there!! Accessibility for everyone04 Jun 2025 17:46 +0000at://did:plc:sdysqoa5mgxpjcthp5devsdh/app.bsky.feed.post/3lqsedbj2oc2qhttps://bsky.app/profile/msp-archive.bsky.social/post/3lp3drcbb422gWe believe that the MSPC has resumed its service during the day. Apologies for the inconvenience everyone. 🙌🏽13 May 2025 20:39 +0000at://did:plc:sdysqoa5mgxpjcthp5devsdh/app.bsky.feed.post/3lp3drcbb422ghttps://bsky.app/profile/msp-archive.bsky.social/post/3lnwwpo43y22pJohn MacBride, executed in May 1916 for his participation in the Rising is present in the collection through Maud Gonne’s claim for an allowance on behalf of her husband. The file contains a copy of a marriage certificate in the parish de St Honoré d’Eylau, Paris, where Seán MacBride was born. #MSPC29 Apr 2025 09:10 +0000at://did:plc:sdysqoa5mgxpjcthp5devsdh/app.bsky.feed.post/3lnwwpo43y22phttps://bsky.app/profile/msp-archive.bsky.social/post/3lmev4hrjy22wApril 1923 - Civile War Executions. https://militarypensions.wordpress.com/2023/04/11/civil-war-executions-april-1923/09 Apr 2025 11:28 +0000at://did:plc:sdysqoa5mgxpjcthp5devsdh/app.bsky.feed.post/3lmev4hrjy22w