Letter to Mary O'Leary, 3 February 1916 Letters 1916-1923

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Letter to Mary O'Leary (b. 1894), a dress maker from Kerry, regarding her application to dressmaker in Killarney District Asylum.

 National Archives of Ireland Chief Secretary's Office Registered Papers, CSO RP/1916/3755/5 https://letters1916.ie/item/1377 English 1916-02-03 Mary O'Leary Scartaglen, Farranfore, County Kerry, Ireland Industry and Public Administration

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 3rd February, 1916 252 Madam, I am directed by the Inspectors to acknowledge the receipt of your communication of the 1st instant, and to inform you that the appointment of a Dressmaker and Nurse in the Killarney District Asylum is vested solely in the Committee of Management, to which body any representations you may wish to make on the subject should be addressed. I am Madam, Your Obedient Servant, Miss Mary O'Leary, Scartaglen Farranfore, Co. Kerry 252 Scartaglen, Farranfore, Co. Kerry 1/2/'16 Sir, May I most respectfully call your attention to the appointment of 'Dressmaker and Nurse', which has been carried through at the last meeting of Committee of Management, 'Killarney District Lunatic Asylum'. The meeting was held on the 27 Inst and out of three applicants one was only qualified as regards age; Miss Cremmin was therefore duly elected as Seamstress for a month pending observations from Matron and R.M.S. 2Miss Cremmin had only one testimonial accompanying her application, and that one was from a local dressmaker certifying that Miss Cremmin gave a few months apprenticeship, she produced no more credentials - May I point out, Sir, that the advertisement issued for this important position was :- 'that the lady elected should be able to cut material, sew for the female part of the house, possess a knowledge of Nursing & Housewifery, and keep book-accounts, also responsible for same when Matron is absent.' Miss Cremmin, Sir, does not show at present any qualifications what- so-ever, and many of the members of the Committee visibly expressed 3the opinion that Miss Cremmins was literally unqualified for the position and yet she was 'dumped' into a job that honestly she knows nothing about. May I also point out Sir, that Miss Cremmins mother died in the Asylum some time ago, and at present her aunt and first cousin are there. The facts are really valid and I was one of the applicants fully qualified only a fortnight short of the age. Thanking you in anticipation for a favourable reply. Signed - Mary O'Leary. Scartaglen, Farranfore, County Kerry, Ireland Letter to Mary O'Leary, 3 February 1916