1
Sunday Dear Mother I hope you recd my pcard
allright I sent it the first possible
opportunity I had when I got into the
City which was on Tuesday last. We are
still cut off from the south side only
allowed on duty & home again. Thank God
ours was the most peaceful side of
the City only a few stray bullets came
down the Avenue & only the noise of
rifle fire & the booming of the guns
disturbed us. I will tell you later how
we escaped from the office (which is
now burned down). My bicycle is also
2
now burned down). My bicycle is also
burned I expect. I was not allowed to
take it with me. We were all searched
& Pencils & papers taken from us. I am
back at work since Tuesday. I was in
an office in the City first two days & am
in another since Thursday at the north
side of the City which at present I am not
permitted to tell where it is. I suppose
you could hear the guns all the time.
It was awful. There is not a house
standing from Nelson Pillar to O\'Connell
Bridge. About 180 houses burned down. I did
not get any money since Holy Thursday. I
will send some when I get paid during
the week and when the new office opens I
will let you know. Hoping all at home
are quite well under the circumstances.
Love to all, Yr loving son
Mike
3
Michael Tobin was at work in the GPO when the rebels arrived on Monday 24th April
1916. He writes on the following Sunday to his mother in Enniskerry, saying that he
is back at work but is not allowed to tell her where he is. He will tell her later
how he escaped from the post office. All the staff were searched and his bicycle was
taken. He lives in Drumcondra and can hear the booming of the guns. He describes the
destruction of O'Connell Street and says there is not a house standing from Nelson's
Pillar to O'Connell Bridge.