Letter from Laurence Ginnell to Nancy O'Rahilly, 28 May 1916. Letters 1916-1923 Laurence Ginnell

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This is a letter from Laurence Ginnell (1852-1923) to Nancy O'Rahilly (1875-1961). Ginnell thanks Mrs. O'Rahilly for information supplied and asks for more from her and her friends. He describes his own grief on learning of the death of Mr. O'Rahilly. He goes on to tell Mrs. O'Rahilly about two 'schemes' with which he is involved: one to publish an account of the 'facts' of the insurrection and another to create a dependent's fund.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 (1875-1916). 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. Laurence Ginnell was an Irish Nationalist politician and MP in the House of Commons as a member of the Irish Parliamentary Party.

 University College Dublin Archives Humphreys Papers, P106/120/36 https://letters1916.ie/item/1526 English Laurence Ginnell 1916-05-28 51 Queens Road, Richmond, Surrey, England. Nancy O'Rahilly Male Easter Rising Ireland 1916

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 28 th May, 1916 51, QUEEN'S ROAD, RICHMOD, SURREY. Dear Madame O'Rahilly, Your note now received will have my immediate attention, as well as any further facts that you or any friends are good enough to send me. I feared to write to you during the terrible time that has passed, feeling that it would be an intrusion amounting to desecration. Of late needless to say, my heart bleeds for you. I watched the papers closely during the early days, looking for a certain name. At length it appeard, first in the Globe, and I thought my heart would break. The soul of frankness and chivalry in the bloom of youth cut off. I was alone Mrs G. being in Ireland unable to return here. No on to speak to who could understand. When at length she returned, I threw myself on her lap and cried bitterly. English servants thought I had gone mad. 'My poor dear O'Rahilly dead. So manly, so grand looking, so grander still in manner and at heart.' If I suffered so, God alone knows how much you must have suffered. there is, of course, the vast consolation that he laid down his life in the cause and in the manner that makes him immortal to our race. It would be terrible if no photograph remained of one who was so dearly loved by countless thousands. We must do all we can to avert that. I wish you to know about two schemes we have in hands, so that you may give us the benefit of any suggestions that occur to you, and may mention them to friends willing to co-operate. 1. We want as soon as possible, all authentic facts of the insurrection, while they are fresh in the minds of witnesses, to have a connected narrative codified by a competent hand, done in English, French, Spanish, etc. and circulated all over the world; to counteract the lies of the enemy. 2. We are energetically organising the collection of a friend in London and throughout Britain for relief of dependants of all sufferers but especially of those whose men are dead, and who what will neither get nor take from any other source. We are trying to get a committee formed in Dublin for each of those great purposes. With deepest sympathy from Mrs. Ginnell and myself, I remain, Dear Madam O'Rahilly Sincerely yours L. Ginnell 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. Laurence Ginnell Letter from Laurence Ginnell to Nancy O'Rahilly, 28 May 1916. 51 Queens Road, Richmond, Surrey, England. Letter from Laurence Ginnell to Nancy O'Rahilly, 28 May 1916.