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The Irish Drapers’ Assistants’ Benefit & Protective Association
(ORDINARY SECTION.)
(Established to promote the welfare and protect the interests of those employed at
the
DRAPERY and ALLIED TRADES in IRELAND).
Registered Head Offices — 76 GRAFTON STREET,
DUBLIN , 7th Febry., 1916 General Secretary:
M. J. O'LEHANE. Dear Mrs. Sheehy—Skeffington, We are having an Organising Meeting
for women
only, which will be held in the Large Concert Hall, Rotunda,
on Monday evening, 21st inst., at 8. o’clock. Owing to the large influx of women
into various Callings
and the fact that in many cases they are wretchedly, poorly,
paid, we think that a special effort should be made to organise
them into a militant Trades Union. As, no doubt, you are aware
we cater alike for men and women. We sincerely hope that you will be able to attend
this
meeting as, as I have said, it will be for women only and the
present economic difficulties, as well as the position of women
generally in industrial occupations, will be dealt with. Yours sincerely, M. J.
O’Lehane Mrs. Sheehy-Skeffington,
11, Grosvenor Place, Rathmines.
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Reception Jan 6th : 52+
Donors: Crichton.
Officer Wilkins
Jahmer
Finance Teas
Rooms Teachers
Tea Room.
Library
new members America
May 15th general
Social function
2 Dances
whist Drives
Le Homes
meetings
Feb 16 D. C.
Suffrage week
April: walker clempton
Harrison
Peace
Cat & Mouse
Courts
Joint Com
Elections
Conference
Mis: cousins, Aeslam celebration
Irish Citizen
Letter from Michael J. O'Lehane (1873–1920) to Hanna Sheehy Skeffington (1877 - 1946).
O'Lehane requests Skeffington's presence at a meeting he's holding for women to address
women's economic difficulties and their position in industrial occupations.
Michael J. O'Lehane was a trade unionist, nationalist, and member of the Gaelic League
and Sinn Féin. A draper by trade, he founded the Irish Drapers’ Assistants’ Benefit
and Protective Association. He was elected president of the Dublin Trades Council
in 1910. 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.