Michael Collins Heads a Relief Committee

Problems following The Rising

Fr Eugene Nevin's evidence

Bureau of Military History

The chaos attendant and consequent on every violent upheaval was not spared us, and were it not for the bakers and general food providers of Cork, Limerick, Waterford with some of the Northern centres we would be starved outright.

As it was, the innermost of many was crying out vehemently for what money couldn’t then buy, because it wasn’t to be had either for love or money. However, for most this was a passing phase while giving all a taste of what they might have endured had the struggle been prolonged. But for the orphans and dependants of those executed, of those who died fighting, and of those sentenced to long terms of imprisonment, something had to be done for their present pressing necessities and their future provided against.

A relief committee was formed with Michael Collins as its very energetic secretary and an appeal for funds was issued which fortunately met with a ready and generous response for there were many very necessitous cases brought to the notice of the Committee. It used to meet weekly in upstairs rooms near the South City Markets, Great Georges Street and I had the honour of being a member though my duties in Mount Argus prevented me attending its meetings as regularly as I would wish. But I am happy to record as a member receiving amongst many other things of a similar kind a most appreciative letter with a substantial donation, form an Englishman, a doctor and Catholic wishing every success to our undertaking. I know other members also of the Committee received many letters of encouragement with pecuniary assistance from seemingly most unlikely quarters. So happily sometimes one may ‘chid away a friend that hath a stern look but a gently heart’.

This page was added on 11/04/2016.

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