1
Facsimile of Last Latter
written by
Seán MacDiarmada Kilmainham Prison
Dublin
May 11th 1916 My Dear Daly Just a wee note to bid you Goodbye.
I expect in a few hours to join Tom and the other
heroes in a better world. I have been sentenced to
a soldiers death — to be shot tomorrow morning.
I have nothing to say about this only that I look
on it as a part of the day's work. We die
that the Irish nation may live, our blood will
re baptise and reinvigorate the old land. Knowing
this it is superfluous to say how happy I feel. I
know now what I have always felt, that the Irish
nation can never die. Let present day place hunters
condemn our action as they will, posterity will judge
us aright from the effects of our action. I know I will meet you soon, until then
Good Bye. God guard and protect you and all in
No.15. You have had a sore trial but I know
quite well that Mrs Daly and all the girls
feel proud in spite of a little temporary and
natural grief that her son & the girls, their brother
as will inclusion in the list of honours.
Kindly remember me specially to Mrs Clarke and
tell her I am the same Seán that she always
knew. God Bless you all
As ever
Sincerely Yours
Seán MacDiarmada.
Letter written prior to Seán's own execution, also mentioning that John Daly, too,
had been condemned to die and was awaiting his death.
John Daly was an Irish revolutionary and involved in the Irish Republican Brotherhood.
He participated in the 1916 Rising and was executed alonside his brother Ned Daly.