Harry Boland

Harry Boland () (27 April 1887 – 31 July 1922) was an Irish Republican politician and member of the First Dáil.

Early life

Boland was born in Phibsboro, Dublin on 27 April 1887. He was active in GAA circles in early life, and ultimately joined the Irish Republican Brotherhood. Harry was educated at the Synge Street CBS but had a personality clash with one of the brothers so he refused to carry on his attendance the school. He then went to De la Salle College, County Laois, as a novitiate..

Irish nationalism

Boland joined the Irish Volunteers along with his brothers and took an active part in the Easter Rising of 1916.

At the 1918 general election Boland 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 at Westminster but withdrew to sit in the declared independent Dáil Éireann (the First Dáil) and was named by Éamon de Valera as special envoy to the United States. He left Ireland for the United States of America along with de Valera as part of a campaign to raise awareness and support for their cause in America. Boland held the Russian Crown Jewels as collateral for a loan of $25000 from the Irish Republic to the Soviet Republic through 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......
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