Letter from Fr Michael O'Flanagan to Bishop Michael Fogarty, Bishop of Killaloe, 22 October 1918 Letters 1916-1923 Fr Michael O'Flanagan

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Bishop Michael Fogarty survived an assassination attempt by the Black and Tans during the War of Independence in response to his outspoken opposition to partition and conscription. O'Flanagan indicates having sent a copy of his own letter to TP Gilmartin, Archbishop of Tuam, to Dr Fogarty. He indicates being hopeful that Gilmartin may be able to help him achieve some level of reconciliation with his own Bishop and goes on to suggest this will be necessary for him to have before the Ard Fheis. He refers to his own history with Fogarty of them uniting to oppose Conscription and suggests that they once again need to shown a united front. O'Flanagan goes on to express frustration with John Dillon, leader of the IPP (Irish Parliamentary Party). O'Flanagan also speaks of getting co-operation from Bishops in the north of Ireland in an effort to get complete international recognition for Ireland.

 O'Flanagan Private Collection https://letters1916.ie/item/6727 English Fr Michael O'Flanagan 1918-10-22 6 Harcourt Street, Dublin Bishop Michael Fogarty of Killaloe Male 1942 The Rising Tide (1917-1919)

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 6 Harcourt StreetDublin This letter wascomposed but notsent MOFfor ? My dear Lord Bishop, I take the liberty of sending you a copyof a letter which I have recently sent to the Archbishop of Tuam.Resolutions about me have been sent up from a number of clubs, andit will be difficult to prevent them from being made a subjet ofdiscussion by the Ard Fheis unless some sort of reconciliationbetween Dr. Coyne and myself can be effected in the meantime. Ihave received a reply from Dr Gilmartin in which he says that hewill do his best to bring this about and I have every hope that hewill be sucessful. My principal object in writing to you is about anothermatter: The clear distinction made by President Wilson betweenautonomy and self determination, especially in the case of theJugo-Slava-who are not recognised as belligerents, seems to meto give Ireland a unique opportunity. If we could now show thesame united front that we did in opposing Conscription in assertingpublicly before the world that the people of Ireland deserve asmuch consideration as the Jugo-Slavs it is difficult to see howwe could be frustrated. John Dillon is the great oracle. Oncebefore he made a great personal sacrifice in the cause of Irelandunited when he stood aside in favour of Redmond. The recenttone of the Freeman, as well as some statements recently made -2- by John Dollon himself in private conversation with people whoare in touch with us, give me to understand that he now feelsthe dire straits into which his Party has fallen, and that hemight be willing to consider a reunion of all Ireland on thebasis of full and unconditional self determination. If thiscould be done the difficulty of the Northern Bishops which youspoke about in the Gresham Hotel would be obviated. Would therebe any possibioity of getting Dr. O'Donnell to bring pressure tobear upon DIllon in this direction? Some of the other NorthernBishops who are most favourably disposed towards Sinn Fein, suchas Dr. McKenna or the Bishop of Derry, might be able to influenceDr O'Donnell. There are strong reasons which I cannot fullyexplain in this letter that urge me to write to you and see ifyou could do something to carry out what I have suggested. It maybe the first step in carrying out a plan for avoiding thedisedifying spectacle of a hotly contested General Election at atime when all force ought to be concentrated upon one unitedeffort to get complete international recogntion for our Nation. Assuring you of my sincere sentiments of gratitude andesteem I remain, My Lord Bishop, Your obedient servant, 6 Harcourt Street, Dublin Letter from Father Michael O'Flanagan to Canon Timlin, 6 September 1918Letter from Fr Michael O'Flanagan to Canon Timlin, 27 September 1918Letter from Fr Michael O'Flanagan to Bishop Michael Fogarty, Bishop of Killaloe, 22 October 1918 Fr Michael O'Flanagan Letter from Bishop Bernard Coyne to Fr. Michael O'Flanagan 20 April 1917Letter from Fr. Michael O'Flanagan to Bishop Bernard Coyne, 21 April 1917Letter from Bishop Bernard Coyne to Fr. Michael O'Flanagan, 11 September 1917Letter from Fr. Michael Flanagan to Canon Doorley, 9 December 1916Letter from Patrick Finegan to Fr Michael O'Flanagan, 29 April 1918Letter from Bishop Bernard Coyne to Fr. Michael O'Flanagan, 5 June 1918Letter from Father Michael O'Flanagan to Canon Timlin, 6 September 1918Letter from Fr Michael O'Flanagan to Canon Timlin, 27 September 1918Letter from Fr Maher to Fr Michael O'Flanagan, 15 October 1918Letter from TP Gilmartin to Fr Michael O'Flanagan, 19 October 1918Letter from Fr Michael O'Flanagan to Bishop Michael Fogarty, Bishop of Killaloe, 22 October 1918