Last Letter of Seán MacDiarmada ,11 May 1916.

by nj Sat Apr 21, 2007 13:59

in what way is this news?

by Sharon. - Individual . Sat Apr 21, 2007 16:55

Hi nj !

"in what way is this news?"

I have heard it said , on occasion , that Seán MacDiarmada had , in his final letter , referred to Ireland as a 'red land' ie " "We die that the Irish nation may live; our blood will baptise and reinvigorate the red land." Said 'quote' was used disparagingly by commentators wishing to belittle the 1916 Rising as an act organised by 'blood-thirsty and mis-guided Irishmen' or some such similar descriptive term.
If nothing else , it is now clear that MacDiarmada referred to Ireland as "the old land" .
Apart from that , it is indeed an "interesting" document and deserves as wide an audience as possible .

Lament for Sean MacDermott
By Seamus O'Sullivan

THEY have slain you, Sean MacDermott; never more these eyes will greet
The eyes beloved by women, and the smile that true men loved;
Never more I’ll hear the stick-tap, and the gay and limping feet,
They have slain you, Sean the Gentle, Sean the valiant, Sean the proved.

Have you scorn for us who linger here behind you, Sean the wise?
As you look about and greet your comrades in the strange new dawn.
So one says, but saying, wrongs you, for doubt never dimmed your eyes,
And not death itself could make those lips of yours grow bitter, Sean.

As your stick goes tapping down the heavenly pavement, Sean, my friend,
That is not your way of thinking, generous, tender, wise and brave;
We, who knew and loved and trusted you, are trusted to the end,
And your hand even now grips mine as though there never were a grave.

Slán go fóill anois ,
Sharon .

by NJ Sat Apr 21, 2007 21:05

Still not a news story, as far as I can see

by Sharon. - Individual Sat Apr 21, 2007 22:58

Hi again NJ !

.....at least you still find it "interesting" .

Don't you....?
;-)

Sharon.

by T Sun Apr 22, 2007 00:44

Do you have an email address Sharon? I want to ask you about something on your site

by Frank Sun Apr 22, 2007 01:22

What a brilliantly coined phrase.

by Sharon. - Individual . Sun Apr 22, 2007 09:14

Hi T !

You can leave a message for me in the 'Guestbook' on the '1169...' blog (link below) .
The message can be marked by its author as 'Public' (to be viewed by all ) or 'Private'(to be viewed by Admin only).
Hope that helps !

Hi Frank !

Still an apt phrase for today , Frank . Ninty-one years after Séan MacDiarmada used it , that phrase describes the same type of people that want an 'in' , at any price ,to the so-called 'establishment' . Unfortunately .
Ní seoiníni sinn go léir !

Sharon .