THE DRESS UNIFORM OF THE '82 CLUB C.1845

comprising a tailcoat of green cloth with twenty-two gilt buttons stamped "WALSH PARLIAM'T ST DUBLIN", the tall black velvet collar embroidered with...

THE DRESS UNIFORM OF THE '82 CLUB C.1845

comprising a tailcoat of green cloth with twenty-two gilt buttons stamped "WALSH PARLIAM'T ST DUBLIN", the tall black velvet collar embroidered with trailing shamrocks as are the hind pocket flaps, a pair of matching trousers with braided seams with shamrocks and with underfoot ties, a green soft cap with pommel

82' refers to the momentous year of 1782 when Grattans party achieved a measure of legislative independence. The '82 club brought together the leading names seeking to dissolve the Union, including Daniel O'Connell, Smith O'Brien, John Gray, Charles Gavan Duffy, Thomas Davis, John Blake Dillon amongst others. Against the arrest and imprisonment of the main actors in Richmond Jail (1844) this was an attempt to pull together the different strands of nationalism in a dining club where sentiment and resolution could combine. With the castle administration bedecked in fine uniforms and trumpery. It was determined that the uniform of the '82 club would be of the highest quality and reflect the Honour of the Country. Members and there were up to 300 of them were obliged to wear this uniform which added lustre to gatherings and it was proposed that it would become the official state and military uniform of a new Ireland.

Like so much of nationalist aspirations 'the centre did not hold' and the club gave way to "Young Ireland" and Fenian movements and the club had disappeared by O'Connell's death in 1847. However, the present lot testifies to the pride and quality of the founders intentions and its survival and pristine condition to this day is truly miraculous.

 

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