| ID | 2087 |
|---|---|
| Collection | Michael Moynihan Papers |
| Reference | P57 (1-241) |
| Description | A substantial part of this collection consists of correspondence between Michael Moynihan and his mother, beginning in 1908, when Michael was a student at the National University in Dublin, and ending in June 1918, when he was serving in France as an officer in the King's Liverpool Regiment. His mother's letters are written from Tralee and from Fenit, County Kerry. The correspondence is mainly concerned with family news, but also includes references to current events and politics, for example, in 1909 Mrs Moynihan remarks that 'I am afraid you are becoming a very extreme nationalist & indeed I would be sorry to think so, as you know all I have suffered through politics'. The letters also reveal her anxiety for Michael's safety following his enlistment: in August 1916 she wrote that 'I told you we made some efforts to get you back to office work in London & although I know you desire to be in France doing your part, still you can imagine the state I am in with your father so ill & you cannot blame me for doing all possible to have you home'. On 3 June 1918 (the day on which Michael died of wounds in France) she wrote to him that 'it does not matter whether it is raining or the sun shining while you are where you are now. It will not be long however when we will be able to look back & think all this trouble a horrible nightmare'. Michael Moynihan's correspondence with his brother John includes discussion of women's suffrage. The collection also includes letters to Michael Moynihan from Edith Violet Standiford, Ohio, USA, suggesting that they exchange picture postcards (1906); postcard from Moynihan to his sister, Hannah Moynihan, Loreto College, St Stephen's Green, Dublin; and letter to him from Tess and his cousin Sis in Tralee (11 May 1918): 'conscription is the talk of the day here. When the bill was passed first, it created a great panic everywhere but people are taking things much cooler now'. |
| Access | By prior appointment. |
| Date | 1905-1919 |
| Century | 20th |
| Keywords | |
| Note | A descriptive list is available for consultation in UCD Archives. |
| Repository Name | UCD Archives |
| Address | James Joyce Library UCD Belfield Dublin 4 |
| Eircode | D04 R7R0 |
| Telephone | (01) 716-7555 |
| Email Address | archives@ucd.ie |
| Repository Web Address | www.ucd.ie/archives |
| latitude | 53.30671 |
| longitude | -6.22347 |