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Prof Colum Kenny donates family archives to DCU Library

Correspondence from Patrick Pearse, Roger Casement, Arthur Griffith and other patriots are among family papers and books that have been donated to Dublin City University.

The Kenny Family Papers provide an insight into Irish politics, advertising, journalism and publishing in the first half of the twentieth century. The books include a history of US advertising that once belonged to the well-known Irish-American adman Major Patrick O'Keefe of Boston, who famously coined the slogan "Say it with flowers" about 1920.

Presenting the papers to Dublin City University on behalf of his family, Professor Colum Kenny of the School of Communications, said, "I regret the fact that so many documents and objects of historical interest to the Irish nation are being sold off on the open market to the highest bidder at auction. I call on the Irish government to invest in Irish archives and to recognise the value of history in sustaining national morale at times of crisis. I call on fellow citizens with historical collections to think twice before selling them abroad."

He welcomed the existence of a new media archive at DCU and looked forward to its growth.

Speaking at the event, DCU President, Professor Brian MacCraith welcomed members of the Kenny family to DCU and said he was delighted to accept the donation on behalf of the university. "I would like to thank Colum for his generosity; his gift enriches the library and adds another dimension to the overall experience of students at DCU".

Most of the papers that have been donated concern the affairs of Kevin J. Kenny (1881-1884), who was the grandfather of Colum Kenny and who was also an uncle of the well-known journalist Mary Kenny.

The son of a Fenian, Kevin J Kenny founded Ireland's first full-service advertising agency and managed the production of Patrick Pearse's journal, AN MACAOMH, and Arthur Griffith's annual SINN FÉIN YEAR BOOK among other publications. He was born, bred and worked all his life on the northside of Dublin and Prof. Kenny points out that it is appropriate that his papers are being donated to Dublin's only northside university.

The donation includes a collection of censorship orders issued during The Great War, including dozens of notices marked 'Confidential. Not for publication or communication', that were sent to 'Editors, All Newspapers, Ireland' from the official Press Censor in Ireland. Later family papers include correspondence from Seán O'Faolain, Eric Cross and Cyril Cusack to Colum Kenny and notes concerning RTE controversies.

The books include a rare first volume of D.P. Moran's THE LEADER, one of Ireland's most influential journals in the early twentieth century, the initial commercial success of which has been attributed to Kevin Kenny's efforts by Moran's biographer.

Colum Kenny said, 'We recall today the efforts made by generations of Irish men and women to create an independent Irish state. What would they think of Ireland today? My great-grandfather who was a printer and Fenian? My grandfather who founded Ireland's first full-service advertising agency and who worked both on patriot projects with leaders of the 1916 Rebellion and on government contracts? Or my principled father who managed to spend a lifetime in the advertising business without once breaking his pledge to the Pioneer Total Abstinence Association. If they were alive today, they would be turning in their graves at what the Irish church and state have made of that long-sought independence.

On a lighter note the papers also include a unique photograph of Ireland's 'first advertising dance'. Organised by Kevin J. Kenny in the hiatus between the foundation of the Irish Free State and the outbreak of civil war, this event was the forerunner of what from 1925 was to become the annual dance of the Publicity Club of Ireland. It took place on 17 February 1922 in the Dublin Bakery Company rooms on St Stephen's Green, and was attended by the head of the new government, Arthur Griffith (seated extreme left).

Prof. Colum Kenny has written a contextualised biographical account of his grandfather, who was also president of the Dublin Rotary Club. This new work includes a foreword by Dr Patrick Maume as well as an appendix outlining the papers and books being donated to DCU.

Copies of IRISH PATRIOT, PUBLISHER AND ADVERTISING AGENT: KEVIN J. KENNY (1881-1954) may be obtained from The Secretary, School of Communications, DCU, Dublin 9, for €10.00 (includes p&p).