1 C. 7/3/1916 P80/1543
Form 21/AD
In Replying to this Letter, please address the Envelope as follows:-
Number 1817 Name: Desmond Fitzgerald
H.M. Prison, Mountjoy
IV Stáge 2988/1902 The following regulations as to communications, by visit or letter, between
prisoners and their friends, are notified for the information of their correspondents. The permission to write and receive letters is given to prisoners of the pur-
pose of enabling them to keep up a connection with their respectable friends and not
that they may be kept informed of public events. All letters are read by the Prison Authorities. They must be legibly written
and not crossed. Any which are of an objectionable tendency, either to or from
prisoners, or containing slang, or improper expressions, will be suppressed. Prisoners are permitted to receive and to write a letter at intervals, which
depend on the rules of the stage they attain by industry and good conduct; but
matters of special importance to a prisoner may be communicated at any time by
letter (prepaid) to the Governor who will inform the prisoner thereof, if expedient. In case of misconduct, the privilege of receiving and writing a letter may be
forfeited for a time. Money, books, Postage Stamps, Food, Tobacco, Clothes &c
should not be sent to prisoners, for their use in prison, as nothing is allowed to be received at the
Prison for that purpose. Persons attempting to clandestinely communicate with, or to introduce any
article to or for prisoners, are liable to fine or imprisonment, and any prisoner
concerned in such practices is liable to be severely punished. Prisoners; friends are sometimes applied to by unauthorised persons, to send
money, &c, to them privately, under pretence that they can supply it for the benefit
of the prisoners, and under such fraudulent pretence, such persons endeavour to
obtain money for themselves. Any letter containing such an application, received
by the friends of a prisoner, should be at once forwarded by them to the Governor. Prisoners are allow to receive visits from their friends, according to rules,
at intervals which depend on their stage. When visits are due to prisoners, notification will be sent to the friends whom
they desire to visit them. (6209) Wt.2774—7.10,000.7 / 15.A.T.&Co.,Ltd.(Sch. 139.) 2 CM My dear Mabel: - Those visits of yours are so exciting that I am amazed - and hardly
know what I say or what you say either. But it is a great comfort to see you and the
wee son. More especially this last visit which seems to bring my going out so
near. I should like you to get this for Denis birthday. But I hardly think that
possible. Still I know you will wish him many returns from Daddy, and, if the
finances are not too utterly straitened — buy him a present for me. The other wee
son will also have a birthday before I am with you, but it will only be a few days
then till I come. As you could see for yourself, I am in excellent form. I know you
don't care for the beard, but I will get rid of that before I leave here. I don't care to -
keep having it clipped, as each time I should have to deleted textsee the scissors
sterilised - and the once at the end will do for all. I am glad that you have a pretty
good time. That is the chief thing. It is a pity that the money was so much less this
month. But of course that was to be expected. No doubt also, we ought to get
back more income tax rebate. We can only do our best, any way. I hope the
kindergarten scheme will materialise. It would coordinate the Dublin Gaeltacht
I suppose that as Eimar is back with his father, Seán is on his own now. He is
a dear fellow. I suppose he is in Bray most week ends. Who were there the
weekend Redmond's nephew (Redmond Howard) came? I am sure he is
of the type? I think I rather felt his pulse in an article he wrote in
are Boston Transcript when we were living in France. Now that E. is with
his father, I suppose he is rather cut off from things. I hope the Bray C mt.
will be a success. I don't think much of the 'material'. None of them seems to me
to be moved by simple enthusiasm for the cause - unless that Miss G.C. whom
I don't know. Let me know what sort she is. Of course you that when I come
out of here I shall be very much at loose ends and bewildered. But no doubt
I shall soon get used to the world again. You remember when we lived in
France how exciting those dances were after our quiet life. I couldn't sleep
after them. My life here has naturally been much quieter than it was in
France. I shall probably have a splitting head before I am an hour out.
If any of the prisoners here should come to you and ask for clothes or anything
of course you won't give it. I work in the wood yard, and am daily in
contact with the deleted text. They all know who I am, and I shouldn't like any
of them to impose on you while I am still here. I have no intention of
being bothered by them when I get out. Of course there are decent enough
fellows here too. But I have noticed that some of the really old hands
take a great interest in my clothes. Apropos of clothes, I think everything
will just last me my time out here. The boots will manage it all right,
this old suit - the tie that you took such exception to on Saturday, and
the hat. I am interested to hear that my friend will be in Dublin on the 22nd
It is a pity that we have no idea what time he will be in Dublin. If I were out
I should try to meet him. He was a very dear friend to me. One of the most
lovable fellows I ever knew. Perhaps someone will be able to see
him. His tastes are almost identical with my own. I suppose he will
be going to Rathmona- or at least to within sight of it. Of
course if no one sees him it won't really matter. If anyone does
see him they should give him a bundle of all the interesting papers
It is a pity Eileen deleted text
has no national pride — but still, what can you expect.
Did you say that Dyar is married, or about to be? I always wonder what
you are doing on the week ends, and who are with you. I watch the Letters must be legibly written 3
weather to see if it allows any good walks. As we have been out to exercise

every Sunday, I suppose you have managed to get out every Sunday also.
Did you say on Saturday that P. G Ryan was going down this week end. I hope
you didn't keep him up all night talking, as I suppose he is still pretty weak
after his illness. I suppose B. H. Claire and Sean were down also. Has
Eimars new arrangement put an end to his visits. I thought GR looked
in particularly good form on Saturday. I am sorry that you were kept
waiting outside for so long. But I suppose that that is part of
the etiquette of prison. I have been on a C. diet since the first of this
month. I had thought to break my long abstinence from meat on
Sunday. 4 oz. of beef with ought bone, the dietary says - but apparently
it means without lean — and I being a Jack Spratt in that
respect, still abstain. I have grown very used to comparatively
plain food one gets here. I hope to have things very nice the day
I leave here, but after that I think I shall be prepared to
put up with a simple diet, if that is required. I believe the hot water
pipes just last my time out here, and are turned off the day after I
leave. Den was rather good I thought on Sat. He looked well. His
voice seemed to me very high pitched — I suppose because I hadn't
heard it for so long. It is inevitable that he shd. have become such an
English speaker. Miles G.R. has the advantage that his playmates
are at least partially Irish speakers. Poor Den would have a long
hunt in Bray to find anyone to play with in Irish. Is A. Somers
still with Mrs. M. I suppose the gardens in Bray will be rather lovely
when I get out. it is rather exciting not to know where I shall
be living when I get out. I shall be rather disappointed not to
have you with me on my visit to my mothers. I hope their moving is successfully over. I wish yours was also, poor darling. You
might let me know the name of the restaurant wh. used to supply
my food when I was awaiting trial. Also the name of a firm in
Dublin — central part of Dublin — which sells the requisites for
fretwork — woodcarving. Wood - designs - and knife. There
seem to have been a fair number of things on in Dublin recently. I am
glad you enjoyed the Abbey and the Opera. I hope France won't have
to shut down the factory — that would be a pity. I hope my mother
and the dear ones are all well and in good form. Has anyone been
down to Bucks yet, to give a first hand opinion of the twins.
I hope Miss Trench will really make the picture of you. I wonder
if Ernest will be in Dublin when I get out. I hope his reports are
good. I don't suppose Claude Chevasse will hear any more about his
appeal. I owe him my apology as I did not answer his last letter
to me. I forget why. I had some good reason. I believe I had to
get something from Blythe and B. was away, and before he came
back came our extradition 'with loss of Eden and with all our
woe. Tell me abut the anti taxation meeting. I asked you
about books, but I really have plenty to read. What I wanted
was something modern in my own line - with landscape,
atmosphere and romantic realism. You know what I mean. Think
of those two alone on the tower watching the stars, and the tragedy
growing up between them. That is what gives me real pleasure.
I am just about to read Cranford. I have recently read Kingleys on the ruled lines and not crossed 4
Hypolita, a book by no less a person than Mrs Clephant, and the Lady with the Fan
by R Hichens. Do you hear from Ms Hegearty in Ballingeary and
from P.S. Is the camp still at Kimmage — and how many are there?
I suppose I shall see Stoner when I am out — Remember me to him if
you see him in the meantime. Do you ever see the Campbells? I think
Mrs goes to Bray on Fridays only, and as you are never in
Bray she is hardly likely to make another journey on
Sunday — while the weather is bad at any rate. Today is Tuesday
7th I am out on Friday 3 weeks. Remember I don't get
your letter till about eight days after it reaches here, so
it would be as well to send it as soon as possible, otherwise it
may only be forwarded to me after I am out, and on the whole I
think it will give me more pleasure in here than outside. When
I get it I am pretty sure not to have more than another fort-
night to do. You will of course remember me to all of my friends.
I hope Dollie is doing well. The citizen was a good chap. I suppose
your people are in Nice now. I suppose you don't hear from Lizzie.
I am glad Miss S. has been so sucessful recently. I am
sure she was very thankful to Mrs O.R. of course she is living
off for this couple of weeks. Remember me to the McDonaghs if
you see them. I went to the Oireachtas the year before last, you last
year — I wonder if we shall both go this year. You will of course
send me all news of my people. I do hope there is no cause to worry
about France. I hope there will be a continual round of diversions
for the next three weeks, dear, so that you won't notice the time
passing — as it draws near one counts the days so that each day
seems a much lengthier affair than one thought it was. No one
need worry about me. I quite enjoy my stirabout of a morning. Each
day I look forward to the night when I can lie in bed in a sort of half
sleep, and dream, and each week I look forward to the Sunday —
Mass — exercise on the ring and a quiet read — and so the time
goes by till I shall be with you once more. I now have your
letter to expect, and I shall count myself as almost out. I am
glad my mother enjoyed her birthday. They were due to move
on March 3rd so when you were here I suppose they were busy
getting settled in the new house. I hope Ciss and the children are well.
I am sure that when my mother sees the twins her comments upon them
and Mick will be such as to annoy Dollie. I am glad that William isn't
moving. I am sure they would have found it a dreadful business.
You didn't tell me if you saw Mrs B.S. + Fr Costelloe. I suppose I
shall hear in your letter. This isn't much of a letter but I shall soon
be with you now dear. Kiss my wee sons for me. God bless them.
How are your neighbours in Bray. I often smile when I think of, say,
my first encounter with Mrs Hall. If you are moving before I get out
I am sure that McConatty will help you. I am sure too Joe K will
want to help but perhaps he will be most helpful by keeping away.
When you get this - say 'another three weeks,' And when I get yours I shall
probably say 'less than 2 weeks!' In all I shall have been here nearly
24 weeks. A longish time. Goodbye, my dearest, it is nearly
all over now. Have good time for the next three weeks and before you
know where you are, you will be with me outside Mountjoy. I shall
like to hear the programme of my first morning. Love
Desmond FitzGerald