Letter from N. de Buitléir to Nancy O'Rahilly, 7 May 1916. Letters 1916-1923 Niaffe de Buitléir

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A letter from Niaffe de Buitléir to Nancy O'Rahilly (1875-1961). The writer expresses sympathy on the death of The O'Rahilly (1875-1916) who led 'a noble life' and had 'a splendid death', having made the 'supreme sacrifice' despite his beloved wife and children. She writes that the oldest O'Rahilly boy, Risteárd, is now The O'Rahilly. De Buitléir assures Nancy that her husband lives on in the hearts of the people of his country.Niaffe de Buitléir signs herself as Bean Thomáis Uí Nialláin. Tomas Ó Nualláin fought in the Four Courts Garrison during the 1916 Rising. Nancy O'Rahilly was a member of the Provisional Council of Cumann na mBan at the founding in 1914 and the wife of Michael Joseph O'Rahilly, self-described as 'The' O'Rahilly. The O'Rahilly fought in the Easter Rising and was shot in Parnell/Moore Street on 28 April 1916 and died some time later. Nancy was pregnant at the time of her husband's death – the child was born three months later.

 University College Dublin Archives Humphreys Papers, P106/120/9 https://letters1916.ie/item/1498 English Niaffe de Buitléir 1916-05-07 5 Warwick Terrace, London, England Nancy O'Rahilly Female Easter Rising Ireland 1916

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 5 Warrick Terrace 7 th May 1916 My dear friend I scarcely dare intrude on your sacred sorrow. Still I feel I must send you a message. From the depths of my heart I feel for you and with you in this awful trial. Since I heard the terrible news you & he have been constantly in my thoughts and prayers. I keep picturing you in anguish, but strange to say I cannot think of him in pain or suffering. His face comes before me smiling. and there is a look of glad triumph in his eyes. I feel sure he is already in Heaven. He lived a noble life and died a splen -did death. Coming almost straight from the altar with his Eucharistic Lord in his heart he laid down his gallant life for his brethren. Staring the danger into which he had not led them, making his supreme sacrifice for the cause he served, though he would have chosen a different way of serving it if the choice had been left to him. With a beloved wife and children, and a very happy home, every -thing to make life sweet, he sacrificed all at the bidding of what he believed to be his call. Duty and honour and the country for which he died will never forget this. His name will be held in love and veneration forever. The day may come when this thought may bring some solace to your stricken soul. Now I feel that you can feel nothing but anguish and Isolation. May God comfort you He alone can, and may your children grow up to be your pride and joy., those already around you and the little one who is coming. God bless you & them Your oldest boy Richard is now The O' Rahilly. When he grows up he will be proud of being his father's son and will I am sure do credit to his name. Remember your husband is not dead in one sense. He lives in his children and in the hearts of his country's people, and believe in another glorious life where I trust you will one day be reunited to him. I do not expect a reply to this, but hope to see you later I called already at your house but found it shut up. I am trying to find out where you are & how you are. I fear you must be ill in body as well as broken hearted - Believe me Always Your friend N. de Buitleir. beau t'amour la fusillé Nancy O'Rahilly Letter from Neans bean í Rathgaille (Nancy O'Rahilly) to Mabel FitzGerald, circa 26 May 1916.Letter from Nancy O'Rahilly to Mabel FitzGerald, May 1916.Letter from S.M. Martina to Nancy O'Rahilly, 25 May 1916.Letter from Herbert Pim to Nancy O'Rahilly, 26 May, 1916.Letter from Kathleen Hogan to Nancy O'Rahilly, 29 May 1916.Letter from Amelia Jephson to Nancy O'Rahilly, 14 June 1916.Letter from M. Curry to Nancy O'Rahilly, 15 June, 1916.Letter from the Office of the Chief Commissioner of Police to Nancy O'Rahilly, 19 June 1916Letter from Eóin B. Mac Giolla Chomghaill to Nancy O'Rahilly, 28 July 1916.Postcard from Eóin B. Mac Giolla Chomghaill (Coyle) to Nancy O'Rahilly, c. May 1916.Letter from Kathleen Hogan to Nancy O'Rahilly, 31 July 1916.Letter from J.J. Dunne to Nancy O'Rahilly, 3 August 1916.Letter from Mrs. E.N. Gilbert to Nancy O'Rahilly, 30 August 1916. Letter from Kathleen Lynn to Nancy O'Rahilly, 23 November 1916.Letter from Celia to Nancy O'Rahilly, c. May 1916.Letter from Eiblín Ní Sheaghda to Nancy O'Rahilly, c. May 1916Letter from Denis to Nancy O'Rahilly, 5 May 1916.Letter from Sister M. of Good Counsel (Mangan) to Nancy O'Rahilly, 7 May 1916.Letter from N. de Buitléir to Nancy O'Rahilly, 7 May 1916.Letter from Máire de Buitléir to Nancy O'Rahilly, 24 May 1916.Letter from Áine Ní S. to Nancy O'Rahilly, 9 May 1916.Letter from Annie Curran to Nancy O'Rahilly, 10 May 1916.Letter from Eithne A. Kelly to Nancy O'Rahilly, 14 May 1916.Letter from Nancy Campbell to Mrs. O'Rahilly, 17 May 1916.Letter from M. Malone to Nancy O'Rahilly, 17 May 1916.Letter from Emily Weddall (Emhin Ní Uadall) to Nancy O'Rahilly, c. May 1916. Letter from Pronnséas Ó Súilleabháin to Nancy O'Rahilly, 18 May 1916.Letter from Mary to Mrs. O'Rahilly, 19 May 1916.Letter from Mrs E.N. Gilbert to Nancy O'Rahilly, 21 May 1916.Letter from Laurence Ginnell to Nancy O'Rahilly, 28 May 1916.Letter from Julia Evans to Nancy O'Rahilly, 1 June 1916.Letter from M. Costello C.C. to Nancy O'Rahilly, 23 May 1916.Letter from Agnes MacNeill to Madam O'Rahilly, 17 August, 1916.Letter to Nancy O'Rahilly, 18 May 1916. Niaffe de Buitléir Letter from N. de Buitléir to Nancy O'Rahilly, 7 May 1916. 5 Warwick Terrace, London, England Letter from N. de Buitléir to Nancy O'Rahilly, 7 May 1916.