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9th May 1916 My dearest Nell, Need I tell you
how deeply I sympathize
with you in all your sorrow
and trouble - may our
dear Lord comfort and
console you as He alone
can. I have prayed
much for poor Michael,
every day since I heard
the sad news I made
the Way of the Cross for
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his soul R.I.P. and I got
a great many of the
children to do the same.
I feel very much
for his poor wife, Anna
and you - will you
please show this letter
to his wife and tell
her I do not forget her
in my poor prayers.
It is a great consolation
to know that Michael
was so good, everyone
speaks highly of him,
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and I am glad he was
saved from a public trial
- he met death bravely
like a hero and we
have all reason to be
proud of him - but
you will all miss him
sadly for a long time,
however our Blessed
Lord knows best, may
His holy will be done. I am sending this
letter by hand as I do
not know if you are
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at present living in
Northumberland Road
or not - I should love
to get a line from you when
you have time, but I well
understand how you feel
just now - I suppose
poor M. will be brought
later on to Ballylongford
& there he will D.V. get all
the honour & glory which
is his due. Again assuring you of
my deepest & most heartfelt
sympathy and with much
love to the three of you I remain
Your loving cousin SM Clery
This is a letter to Mary Ellen (‘Nell’) O’Rahilly. The letter concerns the death of
Mary O'Rahilly's brother, Micheal. In this letter the author offers condolence for
his death and mentions that a cross has been made in his honour. The letter also notes
that it was sent by hand as the writer is unsure where the family is living. It continues
on to discuss the burial of Micheal and the glory that he is due.
Michael Joseph 'The' O'Rahilly (1875–1916) was a nationalist and a journalist. In
1916 he aligned himself with Eoin MacNeill and Bulmer Hobson who opposed a preemptive
rising. Although O'Rahilly played a large role in delivering MacNeill's countermanding
order he felt obligated to stand with the men he recruited and trained. O'Rahilly
was fatally wounded on the Thursday 27 April when the GPO was being evacuated.
Nell was also involved in the Nationalist movement as a member of Cumann na mBan and
was imprisoned after the Rising for her role.