Letter from Marion Elizabeth Duggan to Hanna Sheehy Skeffington, 16 March 1916 Letters 1916-1923 Marion Duggan

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This letter was written by Marion Elizabeth Duggan (1885 -1943) to Hanna Sheehy Skeffington (1877-1946). In the letter Duggan thanks Skeffington for leaflets she sent out and mentions that recently discovered the 'emotional educational use' of Emmet. Additionally, Duggan discusses her local news, such as the sorrow of her fellow residents over the death of her son and a 'feminist victory' that occurred when schoolboys dressed as girls for the production of a play. Duggan aslso invites both Skeffingtons to a party she is hosting, the main entertainment of which shall be a mock debate entitled "Should Sheehy-Skeffington be hanged?" Marion Duggan was a committed member of the Irish Women's Reform League. While disagreeing with direct militancy Duggan believed that constitutional reform had a greater chance of achieving the vote than direct action. She was also a continual contributor to the "Irish Citizen", a newspaper founded in 1912 to further cause of suffrage and feminism in Ireland. 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 33,604/17-2 https://letters1916.ie/item/4476 English Marion Duggan 1915 Middleton College, Co. Cork, Ireland Hanna Sheehy Skeffington Female 1943 Civil War (1922-1923) The Rising Tide (1917-1919) War of Independence (1919-1921)

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 Midleton College,Co Cork. 16 — 3 — 16 Dear Mrs Skeffington, A thousand thanks forpamphlets, they are both like seabreezes! But never, no neverwill I be happy again until Iknow that man, and talk tohim about teaching! Funnilyenough, I had actually discoveredthe emotional educational use of EmmettI mentioned it in a current commentwh I hope reached editor? I am in the mood for a chat and a chat with both of you! Do youremember our old Monday afternoons? It is terribly sad here. The Parkerslost their elder boy (4 1/2) last July,and it nearly killed her, whilehe too is still grieving a good deal. One is glad to be able to give alittle sympathy when they talkabout the dead child, but livingin the house where there is a greatpersonal sorrow is so differentfrom our merry intercourse & determination toright the Universe. We produced 'The Jackdaw' withgreat success last week. The editorwould have been repaid for giving me the ticket if he had seen howboys enjoyed themselves. We scored agreat feminist Victory by being letdress boys as women. One or twostrangers refused to believe that'Mrs Broderick' was not a girl ! It emphasises the essentiallikeness of the sexes so well.! They are working very well too.But it is hard to influence them,at least it takes tact.! I began bytelling them tons about PRregular Aston stuff, and nevermentioned W.S: try elaborately toavoid subject, with result thatthey shudder at 'PR' & try hard to coax me into talking W.S. all 3 aregreat authorities on Mrs Cousins.I saw her in Killarney, 2 knowsa brother & 3 knows a sister (MrsDobbs) whose husband, he says, isa cousin of Mr Parker. You may picture me resolutelyrefusing to be told whom her brotherin Dunmanivay married! I had a horrid experience tho'talking to them seriously aboutdrink, they started to tell me abouta former master who drank! I shut that up, but one saw theevil was done. I am sure however,they are as yet alright about sex. I'm trying to beguile one of them to enter T.C.D as J.M.H's pupil, in the hope that he would look after them when they go to College. R.M. Gwynn will probably help too. You might mention this to H if you see him. How is Maurice? I hope his wife is better? I am really writing to tell you that I am giving a tea party at Shamrock Lodge Rathmines Road, during holidays. Mrs F is lending her house, I do want you both! WilThursday 13th April suit you? I want to ask about 15 pals& have a mock debate onShoudl Sheehy Skeffington behanged! but this depends on hispositively promising to come. I am going to ask JC too, butit is no good writing to that lotthey never answer. They havenever sent me a paper all thistime ! Nothing doing in Courts, I suppose?I am longing to see Citizen!Will pay all my debts when I see you ! It is nearly schooltime, so I muststop. yours affectionatelyM E Duggan. Mirabile dictu ! have just got letter fromGraduates Assoc asking me to speakre W.Lawyers on April 7th orsend suggest substitute. They may delaymeeting till 8th for me. If not, wouldyou do it? I am mentioning youto them. I think they ought to tacklemembers of Bar & get their support ! Marion Duggan Letter from Marion Elizabeth Duggan to Hanna Sheehy Skeffington, 16 March 1916 Middleton College, Co. Cork, Ireland Letter from Marion Elizabeth Duggan to Hanna Sheehy Skeffington, 16 March 1916