Last Letter of Seán MacDiarmada ,11 May 1916.
international |
rights, freedoms and repression |
news report
Saturday April 21, 2007 13:19
by Sharon. - Individual.
Copy of the 1916 leader's last letter .
A facsimile copy of Seán MacDiarmada's last letter was included in a batch of old Republican material which was handed over to us recently...
Top of copy letter...
" Kilmainham Prison
Dublin
May 11th 1916 .
My Dear Daly ,
Just a wee note to bid you Goodbye. I expect in a few hours to join Tom and the other heroes in a better world . I have been sentenced to a soldiers death - to be shot tomorrow morning .
I have nothing to say about this only that I look on it as a part of the day's work . We die that the Irish nation may live . Our blood will rebaptise and reinvigorate the old land . Knowing this it is superfluous to say how happy I feel .
I know now what I have always felt , that the Irish nation can never die . Let present day place hunters condemn our action as they will , posterity will judge us aright from the effects of our action .
I know I will meet you soon , until then GoodBye . God guard and protect you and all in No. 15 . You have had a done trial , but I know quite well that Mrs. Daly and all the girls feel proud in spite of a little temporary and natural grief , that her son and the girls , their brothers as well as Tom are included in the list of honours .
Kindly remember me especially to Mrs. Clarke and tell her I am the same Seán that she always knew .
God Bless you all
As ever
Sincerely Yours
Seán MacDiarmada. "
More information available at the following link ....
...text of letter....
...and bottom of copy letter .
printable version
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Comments (7 of 7)
Jump To Comment: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7in what way is this news?
Hi nj !
"in what way is this news?"
I have heard it said , on occasion , that Seán MacDiarmada had , in his final letter , referred to Ireland as a 'red land' ie " "We die that the Irish nation may live; our blood will baptise and reinvigorate the red land." Said 'quote' was used disparagingly by commentators wishing to belittle the 1916 Rising as an act organised by 'blood-thirsty and mis-guided Irishmen' or some such similar descriptive term.
If nothing else , it is now clear that MacDiarmada referred to Ireland as "the old land" .
Apart from that , it is indeed an "interesting" document and deserves as wide an audience as possible .
Lament for Sean MacDermott
By Seamus O'Sullivan
THEY have slain you, Sean MacDermott; never more these eyes will greet
The eyes beloved by women, and the smile that true men loved;
Never more I’ll hear the stick-tap, and the gay and limping feet,
They have slain you, Sean the Gentle, Sean the valiant, Sean the proved.
Have you scorn for us who linger here behind you, Sean the wise?
As you look about and greet your comrades in the strange new dawn.
So one says, but saying, wrongs you, for doubt never dimmed your eyes,
And not death itself could make those lips of yours grow bitter, Sean.
As your stick goes tapping down the heavenly pavement, Sean, my friend,
That is not your way of thinking, generous, tender, wise and brave;
We, who knew and loved and trusted you, are trusted to the end,
And your hand even now grips mine as though there never were a grave.
Slán go fóill anois ,
Sharon .
Still not a news story, as far as I can see
Hi again NJ !
.....at least you still find it "interesting" .
Don't you....?
;-)
Sharon.
Do you have an email address Sharon? I want to ask you about something on your site
What a brilliantly coined phrase.
Hi T !
You can leave a message for me in the 'Guestbook' on the '1169...' blog (link below) .
The message can be marked by its author as 'Public' (to be viewed by all ) or 'Private'(to be viewed by Admin only).
Hope that helps !
Hi Frank !
Still an apt phrase for today , Frank . Ninty-one years after Séan MacDiarmada used it , that phrase describes the same type of people that want an 'in' , at any price ,to the so-called 'establishment' . Unfortunately .
Ní seoiníni sinn go léir !
Sharon .