1 77 Harcourt st.
Dublin. P41/23/12 My dear Susan — I address you by your Christian name
because I feel as if I already know you, from all
I have heard of you. I intended writing to you
every day asking you to call but as your cousin
Mary Maloney told Jen you were thinking of doing
so yourself I did not write. However in view of what happened this week
I cannot possibly delay in writing you a few
lines to express to you my sympathy in your
Great sorrow. The news of Charlie’s death (RIP) has
stunned us all. Only on Saturday last I had
a letter from him and indeed I did not think
it was to be his last one. As a matter of fact I
wrote to Kerry specially for some shamrocks to
send him on St. Patricks day but instead of that I
find that we are praying for his soul on that day.
Well! May the Holy Will of God be done in all
things. He is our only hope and consolation
now and the only One from whom we may expect
Justice. Charlie has died a soldier’s death and has
remained true to the Cause when so many have failed 2 You have good reason to be proud of your brave
brother and you need not grieve over his death
because he died true to the Flag and faithful to
the last. May God reward him for it. Only for him and his Comrades poor Ireland
would indeed have to bow down her head in
shame and sorrow on account of the slavish attitude
of her children towards the old enemy. They have
given their life’s blood to blot and the stain that
now lies on our country’s name. I feel confident
that their sacrifice will soon bear fruit. Already
the people are beginning to realize that they are
going into the Empire and not getting a Republic
through this so—called Free—State. Of course it is only natural that you will miss
him — I know what I should feel like myself if
anything happened my brother. But God will give you
strength and courage to bear this trial. I will never forget poor Charlie in my prayers
and I am writing to my brother who is a priest
in U.S.A. and I will get him to say Masses for
him and his four comrades who were executed by the traitors. All her join me in sending you our deepest and sincerest sympathy in your bereavement. Jen and I are dying to meet you. I would go out to Carysfort but I do not know what day I could see you. Could you arrange to come into town any day and we would meet you anywhere. 3 3 you like or perhaps you would call here directly.
It is two houses above the Standard Hotel. We have only a flat yet but we are looking
everywhere for a house. We shall be more than
delighted to meet you. My father Tomas
well. In fact he stayed in Kenmare with him. Are you going home for Easter? If not I hope
we will often meet during the holidays. This will be a terrible blow for your Mother
but God will sustain her and reward her for
giving such a hero to Ireland. With love and deep sympathy
From your friend
Nora Ring