Last Letter of Seán MacDiarmada ,11 May 1916.

international | rights, freedoms and repression | news report Saturday April 21, 2007 13:19 by Sharon. - Individual.

Copy of the 1916 leader's last letter .

A facsimile copy of Seán MacDiarmada's last letter was included in a batch of old Republican material which was handed over to us recently...

Top of copy letter...

" Kilmainham Prison
Dublin
May 11th 1916 .

My Dear Daly ,

Just a wee note to bid you Goodbye. I expect in a few hours to join Tom and the other heroes in a better world . I have been sentenced to a soldiers death - to be shot tomorrow morning .
I have nothing to say about this only that I look on it as a part of the day's work . We die that the Irish nation may live . Our blood will rebaptise and reinvigorate the old land . Knowing this it is superfluous to say how happy I feel .
I know now what I have always felt , that the Irish nation can never die . Let present day place hunters condemn our action as they will , posterity will judge us aright from the effects of our action .
I know I will meet you soon , until then GoodBye . God guard and protect you and all in No. 15 . You have had a done trial , but I know quite well that Mrs. Daly and all the girls feel proud in spite of a little temporary and natural grief , that her son and the girls , their brothers as well as Tom are included in the list of honours .
Kindly remember me especially to Mrs. Clarke and tell her I am the same Seán that she always knew .

God Bless you all
As ever
Sincerely Yours

Seán MacDiarmada. "

More information available at the following link ....

...text of letter....

...and bottom of copy letter .