Letters from Captain Seamus Murphy

Seamus Murphy was Captain of Marrow Bone Lane Garrison, Dublin.  During Easter Week he sent three letters to Fr Eugene Nevin from the Garrison.  Transcripts and copies of the originals are posted below.

Letters from Seamus Murphy, Captain of Marrow Bone Lane Garrison.

Marrowbone Lane, Distillery

25/4/1916   7.30 pm

To Rev Fr Eugene Nevin

Dear Father

Could you possibly come down to us.  We are intact so far but all the men and the brave girls who are with us express an urgent desire to see you.  Do come, father.

S Ó Murchadha  Capt.

Letter to Fr Eugene dated 25/4/16 from Captain Seamus Murphy

Marrowbone Lane

29 – 4 -1916

Dear Father Eugene

Could we have Mass said tomorrow do you think?  You can certainly advise us and we should be thankful for anything you could do.

We are here still, thank God with no casualties as yet save a splinter wound, but many on the enemy side from our rifles.

We are in great spirits looking forward to the day when we shall march forward victorious beneath the flag of the Irish Republic.

Thanks for Agnus Deis received. Please remember me to Fathers Gerard and Joseph and Kieran.

Respectfully yours.

S Ó Murchadha     Capt.

Letter to Fr Eugene dated 29/4/16 from Captain Seamus Murphy

30 – 4 – 1916

Marrowbone Lane

Dear Father Eugene

I wonder if a message I sent you yesterday was delivered.  It contained a request to you to advise us as to whether it would be possible to have Mass said here today.  We earnestly hope you can do something for us in such a direction.

Respectfully yours

S Ó Murchadha

Capt.                         Still hold the Fort!

Letter to Fr Eugene dated 30/4/16 from Captain Seamus Murphy

Fr Eugene’s note states that he spent part of a night in Marrowbone Lane with Fr Kieran hearing the garrison’s confession, but was unable to grant the Captain’s further request for Mass there before the surrender. 

(Referring to the original letters he states: ‘After the lapse of many years and passing through other hands they are almost indecipherable).

Note from Fr Eugene in relation to the above letters from Captain Seamus Murphy

This letter was sent from Frongoch in August 1916

Letter from Captain James Murphy

No 998,  Frongoch,  South Camp,  near Balla.  Aug 5th 1916

Dear Fr Eugene

I regret very much that the Visitors’ regulations prevented you from seeing us while you were here.  I should like very much to have seen you.  And indeed Lynch and I were disappointed.

We are all quite happy not a bit downhearted, as to myself I am enjoying good health at the moment Thank God – tho’ some time ago I was somewhat off colour – due I suppose to a luxurious diet!

Will you remember me kindly to Fathers Joseph, Gerald and Kieran.  I should like you to say to Fr Joseph that I am sorry my joyride to London was taking place when he called here.  Only the other day did I learn positively that it was he who called.

Will you all kindly excuse me for not writing: you understand I suppose we are allowed 2 short letters per week and these naturally go home.  With kind regards.

Yours respectfully

SÓMurchadha (James Murphy)

Letter to Fr Eugene from Captain James Murphy dated 5th August 1916

______________________________________________________________________