Letter from Cáit Ó Ceallaigh to Hagan

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DigitalGeorgetown

Pontifical Irish College

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Ó Ceallaigh, Cáit

Hagan, John, 1873-1930

Description

Holograph letter from Cáit (Ó Ceallaigh), Dublin, to 'dear friend' (Hagan), reporting from the ardfheis which her sister Nellie attends as delegate. Describing the surprisingly vociferous opposition to the notion that 'we would sit in the present Dáil ever the oath removed or not', though the proposal was merely for a small change in policy. Jim [Ryan] while against entering on tactical reasons favours a fair discussion and refused to return over the lack of order in the meeting. Sceilg refused to even take the chair in such a discussion; Mrs. Brugha threatened resigning; Count Plunkett remained firm and even became abusive, while Boland and Ruttledge spoke in favour. Despite meeting DeValera beforehand and appearing reconciliatory, Mary McSwiney ended up 'ranting away about principle'. Eventually, the resolution – 'quite idiotic in itself' – that they would never enter the Dáil was withdrawn by her. They are as before, except 'that the thinking people now know what deV(alera) intends doing – (and) his enemies too'. He reminded the ardfheis of his similar stance before the conscription crisis; 'we know too what credit Sinn Fein as a whole takes for the result!' Markiewicz stepped down from presidency of the Cumann na mBan; Stockley seemed the most incomprehensible. DeValera gave a good speech on the boundary crisis and no-one recognised 'this hateful compromise'. Today he is in stormy seas over wanting to spend Sinn Fein money on the resuscitation of the Gaeltacht: while Mary McSwiney for instance is opposed, 'Pearse's Republic was to be Gaelic'; observing that 'that much I expect we can now bid adieu to'. MacSwiney will be fomenting a split, promising to preach against 'the new policy' everywhere. Cáit may visit Rome at Easter with her brother-in-law Dr. Michael O'Malley and family. Seán had a very bad crossing. (Now attached: selective typescript transcription of first part of the letter.)