Beschreibung:

Fred Cronin: Correspondence during his internment A large collection of letters to Cronin during his two periods of internment, by the British Government in Cork Male Prison and Spike Island, May-Sept. 1921, and by the Free State in Hare Park (Curragh), Nov. 1922 to February 1924, with a few of his replies. Altogether there are some 140 letters, cards and telegrams, many from his deceased wife's sister Mary Roche ('Auntie'), who looked after his five children, with some charming letters in English and Irish from the children (three of whom were sent to Col�iste na Rinne, an Irish-language boarding school in the Ring Gaeltacht run by 'An Fear M�r', Se�n � hEocha; the two youngest went to St. Ita's, the school run by the McSwiney sisters). There are also letters from various friends, and from recently released prisoners formerly 'inside' with him. Most of the letters have censor's marks. The family letters mostly contain news of children, friends and relations, but there is much of interest about conditions in Cork in these years. Business is very slow, apathy everywhere (Pauline, 15 July '23); there are long and bitter strikes; the undertakers' workers at Sullivan's Quay are still in dispute and turning away business long after most others have given up (27.12.23). There are references to Cronin's two hunger-strikes (September 1921 and October/November 1923). There is also much about the children's education at Col�iste na Rinne, letters from An Fear M�r, details of the charges there, and a horrifying story about a young child being slapped over 20 times because she could not learn her Irish catechism (6.6.1923, from 'Auntie' Mary). Cronin's children are Risteard, Una, Maeve, Brighid and M�ire (who has been very unwell). They are in the charge of their aunt Mary Roche, sister of their dead mother Katie. Madge, married to Jim who has TB, is Fred's sister; P�il�n or Pauline Harkin is another aunt, living sometimes in Belfast. Other relatives include Mary Ellen Mamie, Willie (Fr. William Roche, Fred's brother-in-law) and Minnie, who is very unwell. A valuable collection, conveying much of the atmosphere of the time. Provenance: Cronin collection. Fred Cronin: Correspondence during his internment A large collection of letters to Cronin during his two periods of internment, by the British Government in Cork Male Prison and Spike Island, May-Sept. 1921, and by the Free State in Hare Park (Curragh), Nov. 1922 to February 1924, with a few of his replies. Altogether there are some 140 letters, cards and telegrams, many from his deceased wife's sister Mary Roche ('Auntie'), who looked after his five children, with some charming letters in English and Irish from the children (three of whom were sent to Col�iste na Rinne, an Irish-language boarding school in the Ring Gaeltacht run by 'An Fear M�r', Se�n � hEocha; the two youngest went to St. Ita's, the school run by the McSwiney sisters). There are also letters from various friends, and from recently released prisoners formerly 'inside' with him. Most of the letters have censor's marks. The family letters mostly contain news of children, friends and relations, but there is much of interest about conditions in Cork in these years. Business is very slow, apathy everywhere (Pauline, 15 July '23); there are long and bitter strikes; the undertakers' workers at Sullivan's Quay are still in dispute and turning away business long after most others have given up (27.12.23). There are references to Cronin's two hunger-strikes (September 1921 and October/November 1923). There is also much about the children's education at Col�iste na Rinne, letters from An Fear M�r, details of the charges there, and a horrifying story about a young child being slapped over 20 times because she could not learn her Irish catechism (6.6.1923, from 'Auntie' Mary). Cronin's children are Risteard, Una, Maeve, Brighid and M�ire (who has been very unwell). They are in the charge of their aunt Mary Roche, sister of their