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5Belvidere Avenue
N.C.R
DUBLIN. 6.2.19 Dear Mrs Skeffington. I am so sorry it is impossible for me
to take the part you have so kindly offered me With many regrets Yours Very Sincerely,
Annie Stanley
A letter from Annie Stanley (1887-1960) to Hanna Sheehy Skeffington (1877-1946). Stanley
writes to say she cannot take part in the concert as she is too busy.
Annie T. Stanley (née Walker), more famously known by her stage name Eileen O'Doherty,
was one of the founding members of the Irish National Theatre Society and a forerunner
at the Abbey Theatre alongside her sister Maire Nic Shiubhlaigh. She was also the
wife of Joseph Stanley (1890-1950) who entered the G.P.O. during Easter Week to act
as the press officer and was responsible for publishing the "Irish War News" during
Easter week.
Hanna Sheehy Skeffington, suffragette, nationalist, language teacher, was the widow
of Francis Sheehy-Skeffington (who was summarily executed on 26 April 1916). She was
active during the Rising, bringing food to the Volunteers in the G.P.O. and the College
of Surgeons. Four days passed before she found out what had happened to her husband,
Francis (1878-1916), and it wasn't until almost two weeks later that the full details
of his execution emerged.