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Friar St. Thurles. 4.5.16. My Dear Mary, I only heard the news
to.day. I hope you are not too grieved.
The written or spoken word at such
a time is useless. I will go up to Dublin
when the restrictions are off. Let me know of Muriel and Jack. Your fond brother,
Joe.
The letter is from Joseph MacDonagh to his sister Mary MacDonagh. The letter offers
condolences after the execution of their brother Thomas MacDonagh in Kilmainham Gaol
for his part in the Easter Rising (3 May). Thomas MacDonagh (1878-1916) was a poet
and teacher. A leading member of the Dublin Brigade of the Irish Volunteers, he was
one of the principle organisers of the Easter Rising and one of the seven signatories
of the Proclamation of the Irish Republic.Joseph MacDonagh (1883-1922) was the youngest
brother and went on to serve in the First and Second Dáils and opposed the Anglo-Irish
Treaty. Mary Josephine MacDonagh (1872-1954) was the eldest sibling. She went on to
become a nun with the Sisters of Charity. She was the only member of the family to
visit Thomas before his execution. 'Muriel' in the letter is Thomas MacDonagh's wife
(1884-1917) and 'Jack' is Thomas's brother John (1880-1961) who had fought under Thomas
in the Rising and was imprisoned afterwards.