Manuscript notes by Kevin Boyle, being recollections on the outbreak and development of the Civil Rights movement in Northern Ireland, based on beginning on October 5, 1968, following riots in Derry and provides personal comments on later events and invol

MS letter to "Dear Bernadette", and entitled 'A few thoughts that may clarify where we all go from here...', the document is signed off by Kevin [Boyle] and does appear to be in Boyle's hand. The letter is divided by headings: 'The Past' and 'The Present', and includes 10 and 11 points of comment by [Boyle] under each headings and comments on past and current P.D. members, structures, weaknesses and policies.. Points mentioned include "You [Bernadette Devlin] didn't help the claims of Derry and Belfast by having an independent career in Mid-Ulster and Westminster", "The P.D. is in fact organisationally quiet weak..." and "...if [you] linking to the P.D. would mean that [Eamonn] McCann, or yourself, would feel unfree and incapable of developing in the way you think, then it would be best not to have anything to do with it."

MS letter, attached in the papers to the previous letter by Boyle to Devlin and is entitled "I have debated with myself what to do against the motion..." The document outlines Boyle's feeling and comments on motions on internal tension amongst the Civil Rights Movement, the Civil Rights Association and the People's Democracy group regarding guidance principle and actions. "I have debated defying this illegitimate motion, but on second thoughts I shall not because I am confident that the inconsistent position adopted by P.D. is unlikely to last" and goes on to say how if things do not revert Boyle will have "No alt[ernative] but to resign" and doing so in principles.

MS draft letter of response from the People's Democracy to the previous letter, being a letter (13 Nov 1968) from the Vice Chancellor of Q.U.B., this letter states how the position of the Discipline Committee of Q.U.B. to 'await the decision of the Courts', might, if given publicly, influence the sentencing policy of the courts in the cases of the six arrested students.

MS letter from Devlin to Boyle, discussing fundraising efforts for Civil Rights action in Northern Ireland and saying "my main problem still is the American money. Apparently the N.A.I.J. have sent $35,000 to Frank. . . I have got to make a public statement soon and I've got to set up a trust fund..." The letter is signed off "Take care of yourself fellow subversive, Bernadette. . . .P.S. Lord Cameron knew you were a Red, Boyle!! ..." Attached is also the envelope which is unstamped and addressed to "Kevin Boyle, Political Agitator, Revolutionary Headquarters."

MS letter from Dowds to Devlin including discussions on notes from speeches by Penny Jackson that made reference to Devlin and the cause in Northern Ireland, notes on Devlin's trip to the U.S. and what people thought of her..."Bernadette is a right-on, beautiful revolutionary person." The letter continues "Just like we are fighting, wanting and now getting, I say to you, Black Power from what I've seen and hear stands behind you all the way.", mentions Bloody Sunday, Angela Davies

TS report, "investigated by John McNulty, P.D." of the case of a woman burned out of her house on Nelson Street, off York Street, [Belfast] This was reported to the P.D. . . the woman squatted temporarily . . . but will not be re-housed as the agent refus

MS letter from Boyle to Maureen Burke, stating "Thank you for your letter of 31st, informing us that the D.H.A.C. [Dublin Housing Action Committee] rally will be on 25th April. "We have agreed that I should be the principal speaker from P.D.". . .Boyle outlines his opinions on housing in Belfast and says "I have never more like flotsam is a whirlpool whose direction and energy I cannot understand."

MS letter, sent also to "Derry and Belfast" [People's Democracy] and details changes to the membership and executive committee of the People's Democracy and makes reference to Joan McKiernan, Gerry O'Keefe, Brian Heron, Kevin Boyle and Eilis [ ]. Extensive commentary is present on Brian Heron and his resignation from the Executive Committee of P.D., and comments from Heron at this meeting where he commented on the IRA and the UVF. There seems to be pages missing from the letter.

MS letter to Boyle: "I understand that any demonstration is against the law.". . . It's better to hold the peace"