O'Reilly (Capt. Michael William) A good ALS from Frongoch ...

Estimate

€500 - €700

O'Reilly (Capt. Michael William) A good ALS from Frongoch detention centre in Wales, 18 Sep. 1916, one page, possibly smuggled out (no censor's marks), to 'Dear Jim' [James Ryan], thanking him for his letter, congratulating him on 'your brilliant pass in your "final"', mentioning the routine in prison, 'We indulge in a sober game of Bridge or Chess. At present we have gone handball mad and play it every hour of the day. I expect our next craze will be boxing as a set of gloves have just been sent to us ..' Fold marks, minor tears, no loss. (1)
*Michael O'Reilly served in the GPO in 1916 as Aide-de-Camp to Joseph Plunkett. Later he was head of the New Ireland Assurance Co. for many years. Dr. James Ryan, medical officer to the Volunteers in the GPO, was released from Frongoch in time to sit his medical 'finals'.
Provenance: Given by Captain Michael William O'Reilly before his death to a colleague in New Ireland Assurance, Following his colleagues passing and the subsequently closure of New Ireland Assurance, the associated items were rescued by the present vendor.