Letter from Isabella Gifford to Sister Francesca, Mary MacDonagh Letters 1916-1923 Isabella Gifford

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 Austrian Centre for Digital Humanities Vienna, AT 2026

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The letter is mainly concerned with Muriel MacDonagh's situation following the death of her husband.

 National Library of Ireland MS 33,567 /7 https://letters1916.ie/item/2463 English Isabella Gifford 1916-06-21 8 Temple Villas, Palmerston Road, Dublin Sister Francesca, Mary MacDonagh Star of Sea Convent, Tramore, Waterford Female Personal Relations Personal Relations

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 33 367 (7) 8 Temple VillasPalmerstown Rd 21 June 1916 I am sosorry yourbrother is in sucha bad state. MayGod save him& bring him backto you again. My Dear Sister Francesca, I should have replied to yourletter before now, but I have been so busyand upset by one thing or another that Ihave no time for anything but businessletters. All the same, I am really gratefulto you for all your kindness to Muriel andher children. I assure you, she is a verydifficult person to deal with, and I fear yourgoodness is not appreciated. As to Murielsettling down in the country, I don't thinkit at all likely she would content herself there. I am glad you are getting a change toTramore. It will do you good. I hope youget out to the sea & that you don't have towear that appalling dress & veil, whichare enough to kill the patience of any poorhuman. I'd just like to see you dressed ina nice white dress, with a nice dainty pairof shoes on your nice little feet. HoweverI suppose you prefer to mortify the flesh,& you do it with a vengeance. Now as toMuriel's story about her box being brokenopen and rifled. I think the probablesolution of the affair is what Liebert told me.He said that she had it so tightly packed, thathe had to get into it & dance on the contentsbefore he could lock it, and that after thatMuriel opened it again & put in more 'stuff''. as he called it. Probably and most likely the boxburst open, of its own incapacity to contain somuch, and that if Muriel enquired at the stationat Thurles, she might get her things back. Liebert says he did not pack the cup andhas no idea where it was put. But I hopeit will turn up all safe. The last time I sawit was in 29 Oakley Road, when the baby wassitting in her high chair banging this mugon the handle of it, and I dared to suggestto Muriel that a penny tin mug would givethe child quite as much pleasure, besidesbeing lighter to handle. I also suggested thatit might be advisable to put the silver mugin a place of safety, preferably to lock itup. But what she did I cannot say. It isvery good of your brothers to offer to help Murielbut at present, at least she has plenty ofmoney, and I don't think it would be wise tolet her think she can spend it foolishly, andthen expect help elsewhere. I am saying allthis in confidence, as I know Muriel muchbetter than you could. I am losing dearLiebert tomorrow. He is sailing from Liverpoolon Friday afternoon. He crosses tomorrow(Thursday)by the 9.20 boat from North Wall, I shall be verylonely without him. He is such a kind, lovingson, but God will keep him and we shall meetagain, if not here, in a better world, wherethere is no sin, no heart-soreness, and wherewe shall see the face of the Dear Saviour, wholoved us and will love us to the end. God grantthat we may all have this glorious experience.Good bye, dear sister. Ever your loving friend I.J. Gifford Sister Francesca Star of Sea Convent Tramore Waterford 8 Temple Villas, Palmerston Road, Dublin Letter from Isabella Gifford to Sister Francesca, Mary MacDonagh Star of Sea Convent, Tramore, Waterford Letter from Isabella Gifford to Sister Francesca, Mary MacDonagh Isabella Gifford Letter from Isabella Gifford to Sister Francesca, Mary MacDonagh