Frongoch internment camp

Frongoch internment camp at Frongoch in Merionethshire in Wales was a makeshift place of imprisonment during the First World War. Until 1916 it housed German prisoners of war, but in the wake of the 1916 Rising, the German prisoners were moved and it was then used as a place of internment for approximately 1800 Irish prisoners taken during the Post Office rising, among them being such notables as Michael Collins, Eamon de Valera and Arthur Griffith. They were accorded the status of prisoners of war.

Related Topics:
Frongoch - Merionethshire - Wales - First World War - 1916 - 1916 Rising - Michael Collins - Eamon de Valera - Arthur Griffith

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The camp was divided into two parts, the south end was an abandoned distillery, the north was a makeshift collection of huts.

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The camp became a fertile seeding ground for the spreading of the revolutionary gospel, with inspired organisers such as Michael Collins giving impromptu lessons in guerilla tactics. Later the camp became known as "Sinn Fein University".

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The camp was emptied in December 1916 when Lloyd George replaced Asquith as Prime Minister.

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