1
Ganyowen
Portmainock
Co Dublin 11. May. 16
Dear Mrs Skeffington, I went into town on
Wednesday to see how you were, but failed
to find you. I was twice at the Office morning
and afternoon. While I was there Mrs Connelly
& Norah Connelly called asking for you. Mrs C
had been allowed to see her husband in the Castle
and was to see him again that evg. Mr Wiggell
also called to inquire for you. He was very
sympathetic. I told them both about your message
of being home after 6oc. I was glad that Con
met you, he told me about the funeral. I had to
go in to town yesterday and I went to Haxeven
and saw the Skeffington's grave. My thoughts were
black and bitter thoughts — if only thoughts could
wither tyrants up! It was too late to go out to see
you afterwards. Please send me a line, tell me
how you are, & if there is anything I can do for you
in any possible way? I wish you would come out
here for a while. It would be a change at least; & I feel
cut off completely here by myself. I have got a letter
from Mrs Cousins, & have sent her papers with the notice
of Mr S.S & the last Citizen. She will be so sorry for this
desolation. With much love. Yours MKC
In this letter from M.K.C. to Hanna Sheehy Skeffington (1877-1946, M.K.C. writes to
Hanna that they went into town to see her but were not able to get in touch. They
write regarding the Connollys, saying that Mrs. Connolly was able to see her imprisoned
husband James Connolly, though he is executed on the 12th of May, the day after the
letter is written. M.K.C. writes that they have been to Mr. Sheehy Skeffington's grave
at Glasnevin, and expresses their grief regarding his death, imploring Hanna to ask
of them anything she might need.
Hanna Sheehy Skeffington, suffragette, nationalist, language teacher, was the founder
of the Irish Women’s Franchise League and a founding member of the Irish Women Workers’
Union. She 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.