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DR. DOUGLAS HYDE, AN CRAOIBHÍN
A short letter dated Eanáir [January] 22 [19]36, on his Frenchpark headed paper, to
C[onor] Mac Maghnusa (son of Padraic MacManus), 2 pp (single sheet), with the
original envelope, agreeing to assist with the editing of a collection of poetry by Padraic
MacManus (who died in 1929).
‘I did not know that he wrote poetry. I shall at least see that his place-names and
battle-names are right – as well as I can. I had better interfere with nothing else!’
With two booklets by Hyde inscribed by him to Seumas MacManus, brother of Padraic:
‘An Cleamhnas’ (play in Irish), undated, inscription dated 1904, and ‘Five Irish Stories,
translated from the Irish of the “Sgeulaidhe Gaodhalach” by Douglas Hyde’, Gill,
inscription dated 1936 (booklet undated but earlier).
€100 - €200
661
ALICE MILLIGAN & THE MACMANUS FAMILY
An interesting autograph signed letter from Alice Milligan to one of the MacManus
brothers, probably Padraic, from Belfast, undated (probably circa 1899), 4 pp (folded
sheet) with an inserted slip, mentions going to Letterkenny to make ‘weapons, robes
and scenery for Fr. O’Growney’s play’, starting branches [of the Gaelic League] all
around Donegal, ‘a letter from Dr. Ryan suggesting the possibility of continuing the Shan
[Van Vocht] & running it in London’, and thanks him for his kindness and generosity, ‘but
I know it is just the outcome of your sincere sympathy with the cause.’ With two further
letters, undated but probably 1930s, to Nial MacManus, son of Padraic, 2 pp and 5
pp, the first agreeing to look over his father’s poems, the second passing on details
of a meeting in Omagh when his father and Roger Casement were both present. ‘The
gathering took place in the Christian Brothers school grounds & for speechifying Darrell
Figgis took the lead. John MacNeill was also there, and two tall men stood together,
Roger Casement and another. My friend asked who he was, and was told, “That is a
brother of Seumas Mac Manus the writer. He is home from Argentina” -- Casement
had recently returned from the Amazon, & naturally the two South Americans would
be drawn together – your father, so practical, determined & so generous in backing
up every effort for Ireland’s freedom, must have cheered Roger immensely, for in most
of the others he would have met with an excess of caution. Darrell Figgis was sent to
the Continent for the arms, but I feel quite sure that Padraic Mac M with Roger was
the driving force, in getting this instantly & successfully done ..’ Also with a copy of
Douglas Hyde’s publication of a version of the story of Deirdre and the sons of Usnech,
inscribed by Hyde to ‘Eilís ní Mhaoileagáin’ [i.e. Milligan], [18]98. Alice Milligan (1865-
1953) was born into a prosperous Unionist family in Omagh, but quickly became
a ‘rebel’ and a Republican. She was organising secretary of the 1798 centenary
celebrations in Ulster, and an organiser for the Gaelic League. With her friend Anna
Johnston (‘Ethna Carbery’) she edited a pioneering separatist periodical, ‘The Shan Van
Vocht’ (l896-99) – see items elsewhere in this sale. She wrote several plays for the Irish
Literary Theatre, forerunner of the Abbey. Letters from her are uncommon.(3)
€200 - €300
Lot 660
Lot 661