Objects > Constabulary Gazette bicycle advertisement

Description

Constabulary Gazette bicycle advert

Date: 1901

Material: paper

Dimensions: 50 x 70 cm

Organisation: Royal Irish Constabulary

Source: Police Museum

Constabulary Gazette 1901

Date: 1901

Material: paper

Dimensions: 50 x 70 cm

Organisation: Royal Irish Constabulary

Source: Police Museum

Photograph of four RIC men with bicycles, Sion Mills

Date: c1900s

Material: paper

Dimensions: 15 x 20 cm

Organisation: Royal Irish Constabulary

Source: PRONI D1422/B/11/22

The Constabulary Gazette was an independent publication produced for the Royal Irish Constabulary (RIC) rank and file. Published between 1897 and 1922, the paper featured stories of activities and news of marriages, retirements and deaths. Members of the RIC enjoyed a steady income at a time when irregular employment was common. Local businesses used the Constabulary Gazette to advertise their goods, particularly bicycles and bicycle related supplies, to this reliable and valuable market.

During the 1890s, the modern bicycle was quickly adopted by the rank and file. The RIC encouraged the purchase of bicycles as it increased the mobility and patrol capabilities of its members. Bicycles were not RIC standard issue, but men were provided with an interest free loan to purchase their own machine. Bicycle owning policemen benefited from greater freedom. They were permitted to travel further when they left the barracks and were given a number of hours off every week “to improve their proficiency in cycling".