Letter from M. Kennedy to the Chief Secretary for Ireland, 31 May 1916 Letters 1916-1923 M. Kinsella

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This is a letter from M. Kennedy to the chief secretary for Ireland warning of another rising involving Sinn Féin. He writes that the rebels have no shortage of arms and that he believes that considering the rebellion, warnings about rebel activity is probably not paid much attention to.While the letter is addressed to the chief secretary, there was no active chief secretary at the time this letter was written. This is due to the fact that Augustine Birrell (1850-1933) resigned on 3 May 1916 following his administrational failure during the 1916 Rising and his successor, Henry Duke (1855-1939), did not formally accept the position until 31 June 1916.

 National Archives of Ireland Chief Secretary's Office Registered Papers, CSO RP/1916/5612/9278 https://letters1916.ie/item/200 English M. Kinsella 1916-05-31 Walton House, Regents Park, London, England The Chief Secretary for Ireland Easter Rising Ireland 1916

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 Pre-printed telephone number - diagonal TELEPHONE VICTORIA 6074 Pre-printed address PARLIAMENT MANSIONS, ORCHARD STREET, WESTMINSTER. S.W. Temporary address Walton House Longford St Regents Park N.W May 31.16 Chief Secretary Irish Office Sir, I consider it my duty to notify you of the following, con- veyed a letter to a friend of mine, (a member of the United Service Club) by his cousin in Dublin. This gentleman writes 1) that another outbreak of the Sinn Fein is expected at Whitsun, 2) that the rebels have no shortage of hidden arms and 3) that the Rebellion is temporarily scotched but smouldering still. In the opinion of these gentlemen the Army Act should be re-enforced. Doubtless you have many reports but, the recent rebellion does not lead one to think that warnings are paid any heed to. I have taken the precaution of posting a similar letter to a member of the cabinet. Yours faithfully M. Kennedy M. Kinsella Letter from M. Kennedy to the Chief Secretary for Ireland, 31 May 1916 Walton House, Regents Park, London, England Letter from M. Kennedy to the Chief Secretary for Ireland, 31 May 1916