RARELY seen revolutionary artefacts, including a leather holster allegedly worn by Michael Collins at Béal na Bláth, have gone on display at The Little Museum of Dublin.

The exhibition, a partnership between the Little Museum of Dublin with the Military Archives, offers a collection of rarely seen, historically significant artefacts.

Most of the objects are drawn from the Brother Allen Collection, which was donated to the Edmund Rice Trust and presented to the Military Archives in 2016 to commemorate the centenary of the Easter Rising.

Now a decade later, these deeply personal and nationally important items will be displayed in the heart of Dublin for the next five years.

Visitors to the museum will have a timely, rare and intimate insight into the lives of those who shaped Ireland’s revolutionary period.

The brown leather holster allegedly worn by Michael Collins when he was killed at Béal na Bláth, has been listed of a highlight of the historical artefacts because it was part of the military equipment belonging to him as the Commander-in-Chief of the National Army.

Other exhibits that will draw considerable attention include the handwritten letter from Padraig Pearse to Seán T Ó Ceallaigh on Easter Weekend in 1916. In it, he is asking Seán T whether he could put him and his brother, Willie Pearse, up the Saturday night before the Easter rebellion.

The delicate sketch of Kilmainham Prison Chapel by Grace Gifford, the chapel where she married Joseph Mary Plunkett before his execution is another compelling must-see.

Other exhibits include a silk thread scapular worn by Countess Markievicz while in prison.

And a handwritten dispatch from Seán MacDiarmada, that was sent from the General Post Office on the first day of the Easter Rising, 1916, and carried by Seán T. Ó Ceallaigh.

Although a tad macabre, there’s even a Bamba cigarette found in the pocket of William J Pearse after his execution on May 4th, 1916, in Kilmainham Gaol, plus lots more to see.

Daryl Hendley Rooney, the curator of The Little Museum of Dublin, told The Southern Star: ‘We are deeply honoured to share these remarkable artefacts with the public.

‘Each object tells a profoundly human story of courage, sacrifice and resilience, and together they bring us closer to the lived experience of Ireland’s revolutionary generation.

‘It is a privilege to work with the Military Archives to ensure these personal pieces of our national history can be seen, remembered and understood by all,’ he added.

The partnership reflects The Little Museum of Dublin’s commitment to making national history tangible and accessible, while highlighting the vital preservation work of the Military Archives.

These historically significant objects went on display from ahead of Easter, offering visitors a timely opportunity to reflect on this pivotal moment in Ireland’s history.

For more information and tickets, please visit www.littlemuseum.ie.