An important Edwardian Irish Freedom Box of rectangular form, by E. Johnson Ltd., Dublin, presented to John Edward Redmond M.P., the hinged, domed cover mounted with scroll holder, opening to...

An important Edwardian Irish Freedom Box of rectangular form, by E. Johnson Ltd., Dublin, presented to John Edward Redmond M.P., the hinged, domed cover mounted with scroll holder, opening to reveal a green silk and velvet lined interior, the corners applied with Celtic fretwork mounts around an inscription reading: ''Presented by the Municipal Council of Wexford to John Edward Redmond Esquire M.P. on the occasion of the conferring on him of the honourary freedom of the Borough of Wexford, on the twenty-first day of October 1907'', Dublin, 1907, 32cms wide. John Redmond (1856-1918) John Redmond played an important part in Ireland's history during the unstable years of debate surrounding the Home Rule issue and uprisings. He was born in Ireland in 1856, read law at Trinity College Dublin and practised as a barrister thereafter. In 1880 he was elected MP for New Ross, Co Wexford and throughout the following decade he represented Wexford and Waterford in this capacity. Redmond had long been an advocate of Home Rule, believing that negotiation rather than violence was the only way to solve the Irish problem, and in 1900 he became the leader of the Home Rule party. He fought hard in Parliament for the introduction of the Home Rule Bill but idealistic groups such as the Ulster Volunteer Army, created in 1913, made it increasingly difficult for Redmond and his followers to carry the bill through. With the outbreak of World War I attention was diverted to the continent and by its close in 1818, John Redmond had passed away.

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