Adolf Mahr

Adolf Mahr was the best-known Nazi in Ireland in the 1930s and one of the most controversial figures in twentieth-century Irish history.

Biographical data

Dr. Adolf Mahr was an Austrian archaeologist who was active in the Irish Nazi Party (NSDP-AO). He arrived in Ireland in 1927 to work as keeper of antiquities in the National Museum of Ireland in Dublin. In 1934 Éamon de Valera appointed Mahr Director of the Museum.

As the Nazi party rose to power in Germany in the 1930s, Mahr joined in 1933 and became the Local Group Leader (Ortsgruppenleiter) in Ireland. During his spell as Nazi leader he recruited roughly 23 Germans. Mahr's children were raised in Dublin in the 1930s but ended up in post-war Germany.

Later Mahr was arrested and accused of being a Nazi spy and for using his position as Director of the National Museum to plan Hitler's invasion of Ireland. After his release Mahr tried to return to Ireland, but was not allowed to do so.

References

• Gerry Mullins, Dublin Nazi no 1 - The Life of Adolf Mahr (Liberties Press, Dublin 2007)

External links

• The Post - Nazi in charge of Ireland’s art treasures