• Date: ​Monday 19th July
• Time: 7.30 p.m.  to 9.00 p.m. (GMT+1)

You are encouraged to test this link in advance; to download the Zoom app if using your phone; and, if clicking the link does not work, copy and paste it into another browser. 

Members Newsletter (June 2021)

The MSOI Zoom presentation (lectures and presentation of items for auction) on the 21st June was another step forward in the further development of the society in this current COVID19 world. The 21st  June, as you know, is the longest day of the year. The Summer Solstice was the auspicious day chosen to re-introduce a main objective of the society: the exchange through purchase of medals and militaria.

Next stage, hopefully before Christmas, will be the return of the MSOI to Knox Hall and attending the Medal Fairs in person.
 

Online Auction

Online Presentations

Special thanks to the two presenters on the night. The excellent presentations were:
The Inter Allied Victory Medal  by Paul Field and the 1866 Chassepot, French Arsenal and Foreign makers (Bayonets for those who do not know) by Martin McDwyer.

Both are to be complimented on their knowledge and collections. Both topics clearly showed the amount of knowledge that can be researched on militaria items. I cannot do justice to either topic but remind you again to peruse the website for the recordings.

New members

We are running a prize draw exclusively for new members who join the MSOI for the first time between 21st June and 18th July. The special prize is for an Irish Emergency Period Medal (Forsa Cosanta Aitiuil) medal. All new members who join between the above dates are eligible to participate in this draw. We thank the donor of this medal and encourage you to invite new members to participate.

Communications

As stated in previous newsletters the names and email addresses of all officers are given on page 1 of the journal.  Communication is the life blood of all organisations.  The MSOI in an effort to improve communications has opened a new collective email  which will allow your message to go to all society officers..   This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
This will ensure all officers involved in the promotion of the society will be immediately aware of all proposals for improvement or expansion, even criticism if deemed necessary.
We urge you to put your views on email and participate in the further development of the society.

Special thanks to the few who to date have answered the call especially related to the zoom presentations. The Zoom presentation committee are Austin, Darrell, Michael and Pat. They will welcome recommendations for future lectures. Assistance is available, if required by future presenters.
 

Dates for your diary  

It has been agreed that the 3rd Monday of each month will be the date of the future Zoom lectures.

We have a great lineup of speakers for the coming months - mark your calendar.
 

Date	Topic	Speaker
19th July	The Black and Tans	Jim Herlihy
16th August	Spike Island's Republican Prisoners, 1921	Tom O'Neill
20th September	Collected Memories Weapons of the Irish War of Independence	Conor Dullaghan Kieran McMullen

Liam Corcoran 

Membership Secretary


 
TO PAY ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP SUBSCRIPTION - The fee remains the same, €20.00
 
Paypal payments can be made to  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Medal Society of Ireland bank with Permanent TSB
Sort Code: 99-06-38 Account Number: 16272930
A/C BIC IPBSIE2DXXX and IBAN IE03IPBS99063816272930

Euro cheques payable to “Medal Society of Ireland” .

Please contact the membership secretary, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it   for further details or to inform him of any membership lodgement and the method used.  Please ensure any transfer clearly includes identifying information.

MSOI June Zoom Lecture & Forthcoming Auction 

The next Zoom Lecture is scheduled to take place on:

• Date: ​Monday 21st June 2021
• Time: 7.30 p.m.  to 9.00 p.m. (GMT+1)

There will be 2 main speakers for the evening -

Martin McDwyer will speak on the 1866 Chassepot; French Arsenal and Foreign makers; while Paul Field will speak on The Inter Allied Victory Medal.

It will be a busy evening so you are encouraged to join using the Zoom link from 7:20 p.m.

To join the meeting please click the following link:


https://zoom.us/j/91534341397?pwd=QnlDSTRtMllKZFJQcVhDY2wrMktmUT09

Meeting ID: 915 3434 1397           Passcode: 436356


We are delighted to announce our forthcoming auction of a limited number of interesting and desirable military and police collectibles.   Details of the auction will be announced at the June Zoom meeting on Monday 21st June.

Only 3 pieces will be on offer for this inaugural auction. Commission will be set at the attractively low rate of  10% on the final price for the successful bidder.

• The auction includes an historically interesting Great War medal group of five medals to a relative of Sir Roger Casement with associated research and artefacts.  
• For the edged weapons enthusiasts, we have on offer a superb 1856 pattern pioneer’s sword.  This sword/hanger is regimentally marked, contained in its original leather scabbard, this piece would make an excellent centre piece and talking point in any militaria collection.
• Finally, we have on offer an attributable Dublin Metropolitan Police group of 3 medals to a D.M.P man whose career spanned service in the DMP, Poilini Átha Cliath and Garda Siochana, rising to significant rank during his long period of service.

Bids can be submitted in confidence via email to Mr. Pat Casey using This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .  The auction will be restricted to current members of the Medal Society of Ireland.

We will also be running a prize draw exclusively for new members who join the MSOI for the first time between Monday 21st June and Sunday 18th July 2021.  The names of all new members enlisting between these two dates will be included in a draw for an Irish Emergency Period Medal (Forsa Cosanta Aitiuil), the medal being donated by a current member to encourage and promote medal and militaria collecting. The name of the winner will be announced during our July 2021 Zoom meeting.

For further information, make sure to join the MSOI Zoom meeting on Monday 21st June.

Members Newsletter (April / May 2021)

Sunny summer greetings to all members and potential members from the Society office holders. The names and email addresses of the officers are to be found on page 1 of the MSOI Journal.

As you are aware, communication is vital to all organisations. The MSOI, in an effort to improve lines of communication between members and office holders, has set up a new collective email address, by means of which all society officer holders will get a copy of all emails sent to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  and will be immediately aware of all proposals for improvement or expansion and even constructive criticism if it is offered. We urge you to send your views by email and participate in the further development of the society. Special thanks to the few who to date have given feedback on recent activities especially in relation to the zoom presentations.

Is it coincidental that when I look up at the wall of my home office I see the print of The Landing of Troops from H.M.T. River Clyde, by Charles Dixon, that today is 25th April, the fateful day when that collier was run aground in 1915 at V Beach on the Gallipoli peninsula. Thankfully, it’s not 6:30 a.m. now, but mid-day in the Irish midlands. The picture shows  representations of the soldiers of the Royal Dublin Fusiliers, Royal Munster Fusiliers and Hampshire Regiments. Many of these young men were shot as they disembarked and the sea around the landing zone turned, we are told,  red with their blood. All or most were buried there. This landing is characterised by countless deeds of endurance and heroism on both sides.  Perhaps there is some comfort to be found in the words:  
The multiplicity of detail in this picture of soldiers pouring out of the ship “into the jaws of death” prompts me to think of the importance of the research activity on the part of MSOI members and a need to extend knowledge of those who fought and died in the colours at that time. The scene depicted by Dixon is poignant and I study it often. I purchased this print copy many years ago at a Medal and Militaria Fair. Let’s hope these events will be back again in the not too distant future.

Progress since March Newsletter

• Zoom Communications

• Dates for your diary  

It has been agreed that the 3rd Monday of each month will be the date of the future Zoom lectures.

We have a great lineup of speakers for the coming months - mark your calendar.
 

Date	Topic	Speaker
17th May	Crowning Glory	Robbi Peel
21st June	1866 Chassepot, French Arsenal and Foreign makes The Inter Alllied Victory Medal	Martin McDwyer Paul Field
19th July	The Black and Tans	Jim Herlihy
16th August	Spike Island's Republican Prisoners, 1921	Tom O'Neill
20th September	Collected Memories Weapons of the Irish War of Independence	Conor Dullaghan Kieran McMullen
18th October	Irish Doctors in the Second World War	Pat Casey Kevin Cullen Joe Duignan

 

• Work in Progress  

We are attempting to draw up a protocol or guide lines for good Zoom etiquette. We seek recommendations so that the Zoom presentations will run even more smoothly in future. Many of these are common to "in person" meetings and also "common sense". This is a different platform for those who take responsibility for the society I.T. and is a learning process for all.

1. It is hoped to use Zoom controls to mute all attendees except for the presenting guest, although to avoid unnecessary distractions when a speaker is presenting, all microphones and mobile phones should be muted.
2. The Spotlight facility is intended to be used so that the speaker is full screen but please be aware that if your camera is on, you may be visible on grid view to other attendees and should behave appropriately.
3. The chat facility must be used exclusively to raise questions through the chair. This facility is not intended to facilitate online communication between those present.

While there may be some limited time for members and visitors to chat on line before the formal commencement of the meeting, once the meeting begins all discussion must be managed formally through the chairperson.
When a visitor/guest or member of the society wishes to comment or raise a question, this should be done through the “hand facility” on Zoom. There is also a facility to raise questions through the chat facility. 
  
The above rules are necessary to facilitate the smooth running, safety and enjoyment of the meeting for all present.  We appreciate that the use of technology can be a little difficult at times, so we will explain how to use some of the features on Zoom at the start of our meetings.​

• Journal

Currently "At the Printers" and we are pleased to announce that the Journal will be issued shortly BUT is your subscription paid up to date? Journal publications have associated costs of printing and posting and the society needs member renewal fees in order to function. Articles for future journals are requested. Original, well researched articles, including reference to sources, are welcome.

 

 

Liam Corcoran

Membership Secretary