Letter from Margaret McCoubrey to Hanna Sheehy Skeffington, 2 February 1916 Letters 1916-1923 Margaret McCoubrey

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Letter from Margaret McCoubrey (1880-1956) to Hanna Sheehy Skeffington (1877-1946). In this letter McCoubrey laments over the lack of interest in the suffrage movement in Belfast. According to McCoubrey Cumann na mBan may be the only organisation capable of gathering a crowd for Francis Sheehy-Skeffington as the nationalist issue begins to eclipse suffrage. Enclosed is a letter concerning a recitation at the upcoming fundraising concert for the "Irish Citizen". Margaret McCoubrey was a suffragette, pacifist and Labour activist. She was committed to helping women, children and the working class with local, national and international causes. 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.

 National Library of Ireland Sheehy Skeffington Papers, Collection List No. 47; MS 33,604/MS 33,604/16-31 https://letters1916.ie/item/3457 English Margaret McCoubrey 1916-02-02 37 Candahar Street, Belfast, Co. Antrim, Ireland Hanna Sheehy Skeffington Female 1956 Country and City Life Politics Culture and the Arts

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 37 Candahar Street, Belfast 2nd Feby. 1916. Dear Mrs. Skeffington, I am sorry that in the rush of work last week I did not get Writing you before the 31st as you asked me to do. I called Committee meeting and did all in my power to have a full attendance. Only Mrs. Johnson, Miss Lindsay, and myself were present. The meeting was short, needless to say, and it was thought impossible to get up a meeting for Mr. Skeffington at the present time. I enclose letter and P.C. from Miss Doey and Miss Small, which indicates their attitude (I stated in the notice of meeting that the business was to consider getting up a meeting) and I have since had a letter from Mrs. McCracken, apologizing for her absence, and again explaining that she does not care for attending Committee meetings. On this occasion, however, she would have come in response to my very earnest request for her presence, but was prevented from doing do at the last moment. There is really therefore nothing to be done at the Present time. One cannot keep going unless there is “spirit” within in the case of at least a few members, and Belfast has never been a burning and shinning Suffrage light and never will be. When is the monthly number of the Citizen to come out? In conversation with a friend, the remark was made to me that Cum-na-mban> (my Irish may be defective) was the only organisation in Belfast who would be likely to get up a meeting for Mr. S. I was interrupted at this point yesterday, and for the remainder of the day got no further opportunity to continue writing. There is, however, nothing more to add. I hope you will be able to hold on with the meetings in Dublin. Have you any up to date information re the “Suffragettes of the W.S.P.U.” I got the ‘News Sheets’ from D.E. but have not heard from her since. With so many “patriotic” women going about I am afraid the Suffrage issue will not come to the front in the meantime. I wonder what the Pankhursts are doing. They seem to have retired into obscurity. Sylvia seems to be doing well in East London and keeping well in the fore front on such questions as Conscription, etc. Hope to have news of Dublin soon through the monthly citizen. With kind regards and best wishes, Yours sincerely, Margr. M McCoubrey Since writing your Circular re Annual Meetup has arrived! Enclosed is P.6. for 3/6. You might keep my name on the Dublin Subscription list as an individual member. There is no use paying it into Ulster Centre meantime! IRISH WOMEN’S FRANCHISE LEAGUE. WESTMORELAND CHAMBERS, WESTMORELAND STREET, DUBLIN Feb 1916 A. cara I have called here two or three times but without having the luck to strike you. I will do that part for you under the “nomme de guerre” song - Desmond Kearney. It is more than likely that I will also recite or sing whichever you want most, but do not put my name on the Programme. I am very Sorry to have kept you waiting so long for my momentous decision Do cara Cárráig O'Roydearg P.S Will you turn up at Madame's Sunday 4 p.m Margaret McCoubrey Letter from Florence Doey to Margaret McCoubrey, 23 January 1916Postcard to Margaret McCoubrey, 23 January 1916Letter from Francis Sheehy Skeffington to Margaret McCoubrey, 10 January 1916Letter from Margaret McCoubrey to Hanna Sheehy Skeffington, 2 February 1916Letter from Francis Sheehy Skeffington to Margaret McCoubrey, 14 January 1916 37 Candahar Street, Belfast, Co. Antrim, Ireland Letter from Margaret McCoubrey to Hanna Sheehy Skeffington, 2 February 1916