'My Spirit is the Same' O'Malley (Ernie), Republican. A rem...

Hammer

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'My Spirit is the Same'

O'Malley (Ernie), Republican. A remarkable ALS, 2 pp (single sheet), from Kilmainham Prison, 26/11/1923, to 'Dear K' (evidently a Republican comrade), asking for books to be sent to him, 
'Here I am again on the flat of my back as the [hunger] strike terminated on 23/11. I believe I will never be strong again, and may pull round somewhat in time, but what's the odds. My spirit is the same whatever about the body, and after all that's the main thing. My sight is bad and I nearly kicked it several times but I had not the luck to die.'  
He expects he will not be released before Easter, and in the meantime he needs reading material, particularly literature and art books.  He gives a long list of writers and painters, starting with Shakespeare and Botticelli, and says he can send £5, and perhaps 'some of the enthusiasts out there' may do something for him. 'I have work to do for Ireland yet, and can be educating myself as best I can with what books I can lay my hands on'.
He says 'Frank [Aiken] is still at the helm, and thank God for that. He understands the Northern question and will pay due attention to it & help to represent a better Ireland unpartitioned. He is to my mind the best man by far that we have & I expect great things from him.'

He wishes 'K' success with his or her mission, which apparently is in America. 'I will pray for you and for your success and will offer up Communion for you; unfortunately I get it only once a week. It was a terrible trial to be so long without it  .. Ever  your friend, Ernie.'

Ernie O'Malley was very seriously wounded in November 1922, while resisting capture in a Dublin 'safe house'. At that time he was assistant chief of staff of the Anti-Treaty IRA.  He spent five months in a prison hospital, and then went on a forty-day hunger strike. He was released on medical advice in 1924. He partly recovered his health, and went to Spain and the United States, where he wrote the classic, 'On Another Man's Wound'.

A fine revealing letter, which well captures the man, his spirit and his courage. Letters from O'Malley are very uncommon. (1)