1
45 North Strand
Dublin May 9th 1916 My dear Mrs Skeffington It was with deep regret I
read the confirmation of your husbands
death RIP in this day's paper. I had
hoped that the rumors which were going
about were untrue, Alas it is only
another outrage added to the list in
the history of the Irish Nation I am truly grieved for
you in the loss of such a brilliant
husband. We of the Franchise League
in particular will miss his quiet
& inspiring presence — Yet one feels
consolation in the thought that his
last public act was one intended for the
welfare of the citizens, the reward of
which he received from the Hands of
a Just & Mertciful Judge With renewed deep sympathy in
which I am joined by many friends. Very sincerely yours
May BS Moran
Letter from May Moran to Hanna Sheehy Skeffington (1877-1946) concerning the murder
of Hanna's husband, Francis. May calls his murder an outrage and remarks that the
Women's Franchise League will miss his presence.
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.