Saturday 14 May 2016

Postcard from Richmond Barracks May 14 1916




Liam Langley was arrested at 4.30am on Monday May 8th 1916 in his home in Tuam.  He was transferred to Richmond Barracks Dublin on Friday 12 May.  This is a postcard he wrote on Sunday 14 May 1916 to his mother, Margaret, a widow, left on her own  in Tuam following her son's arrest. 

The contents of the card are very interesting as Langley makes many references to his fellow comrades from Tuam and Galway telling his mother what has happened to them.  His reference to the 'sea side' is alluding to the Volunteers who were arrested around Galway and held on the British ship HMS Gloucester which was moored in Galway Bay during East Week 1916.  



TRANSCRIPT OF POSTCARD

Wm. T. Langley (of Tuam)
C/O Officer I/C Prisoners
Richmond Barracks
Dublin

Dear Mother

Got here on Friday, things looking brighter. Asquith and Redmond here yesterday, so we are now allowed to write and receive letters and parcels addressed as above. P Dunleavy* here, yet Joe C (Cummins)* sent to England, no news of J Forde I met ??? brother from Clonmel and I see a brother of P. O’Daly** has been deported.  An officer came and said we would be allowed legal aid, so I gave him Mr H Concannon’s name, and he has been written to and may be tried on Wednesday next.  It looks as if a Good Home Rule Bill is only a question of days.  You might send me a collar & tie. How is everybody in Tuam?  Have any more been taken to the seaside? We got Mass at 11 today in the Barrack Square. Things are much better than in Galway Prison and the officers and men are as nice as can be expected.  Several men let home today.  So hope on. With best love I am yours 
                                                             Willie
                                                             Sunday 14 May 1916



*Patrick Dunleavy and Joseph Cummins were both arrested on in the early hours of Easter Wednesday morning as the Tuam volunteers were making their way to Athenry.  
John Forde (later Sean)  was born in Tuam, friend and comrade of Liam. A member of Fianna Eireann and the Irish Volunteers Forde was active in Dublin during the 1916 Rising, 

**P. O'Daly (Paddy or Patrick) spent time in Tuam 1913/14. Fought under Ned Daly in 1916. Interned in Frongoch. Later became leader of Michael Collin's Squad and Major General Irish National Army 1922-24.