Drumboe Castle,
Stranorlar,

13/3/22.

A Muiris, a cara Dil,

I am scribbling you these few lines for the last time. God has called me, to-morrow morning at 7 o'clock I am to be shot. His will be done. We are prepared for this all the time back, so it didn't come as a shock to us, thank God. We were told about it this evening about 4 o'clock, and we are after making a general confession. Moss, don't be a bit troubled about us, as we couldn't be happier. Our case is just, and to-morrow morning we will meet our doom like men. The only thing I am troubled about is my mother. I hope she will get over the shock all right.

My other four comrades are spared for the present, Dan, Charles, Sean Larkin and I being picked out. We got two months to prepare, so you see God was very kind to us. We will have Mass and Holy Communion on the morning, and a little later we'll have to render an account to our Creator. I will say goodbye now Moss, for the last time. Remember me to all the old comrades.

I remain as ever,
Your old comrade
Tadg Ua Suleavain.

Remember me to Maggie. Also remember me in your prayers. Dan sends his best wishes to you, he hasn't time to write.

Tell Mick Sullivan I hadn't time to write to him. Also excuse to P. Buckley.

Drumboe Castle,
Stranorlar,
Tirconnaill.

12/3/23

A cara dil,

Your most welcomed letter to hand on the 10th inst., I wrote to you from here before you were arrested, perhaps it went astray; anyway I suppose you did not get it.

I heard of your arrest long ago, and was often going to drop you a line, but kept putting it off from day to day. Martin told me then, you were going to write, so I waited on. You must have had great dodging all the way down. By the way, are you better yet? Martin told me you were very sick when you left him. You will be surprised to hear Christy is in Finner Camp, in hospital there. He was arrested about a week ago. He was here for a short time, but we didn't get talking to him. He has a very bad disease and he needs great care, but I am sure he will be all right in Finner, it is a fine healthy place. Jordan is in Finner also, he is progressing very well. Yes, it was sad about Gallagher, but he lived until the priest came and received the last rites of the Church. RIP.

It was sad also about the Tralee prisoners. One of them, P. Harnett, is a neighbour of P. Neville, Ennismore. I knew him well. I expect you knew him also. Moss O'Connor (Ban), Phil, and a lot more of the N.K. boys are at Curragh. They are scattered all over Ireland. Our little band got a great scattering. There is no account of Clifford. His new suit is well worn now. Moss O'Connor told me Martin is terrible looking with his long beard; he is like old Musa in the pictures. They have a good time at the Curragh. There are 116 in each hut, so they don't feel the time passing.

Well, Mick, it is rotten how we were caught. We had no guard out. I think it was the only day since we started out that it happened. There are eight of us here together in one cell, namely, Charlie Daly, Jim Leane, Jimmy Donaghy, Sean Larkin, Dan Coyle, Frank Ward, myself and Dan. We were all caught together. Larkin is the big fellow that was in Finner, you may remember one evening he was with us in Bundoran, playing billiards. Coyle is a brother of Miss Coyle's (now in Kilmnainham) and Ward is from Falcarragh. I expect you know all the rest. I don't think you know Ward at all, he wasn't with us until lately.

You asked me about the Juker and Haughy. I have no account of any of them, but there are a lot of Donegal prisoners in Newbridge, including Frank McKay and Ginger. Ginger was caught a few days after us, unarmed, and was here with us until the day previous to our trial. He was then removed to Newbridge. We heard from him once. We hear from Frank McKay often. We were court-martialled here on the 18th January. The charge was unlawful possession of arms and we have heard no account about it since. We were prepared for the worst long before we were caught, and whatever comes now, it won't be a surprise. You knew our position in Donegal. It didn't look pleasant from the start - such is life, I suppose.

I often hear from the old Town. Times are quiet there at present. Paddy Joe was in big round-tip in Arigna lately. Bob's anniversary and photo was in "Freeman" some weeks ago. It was very small.

I will finish for the present. Dan is writing to you tomorrow night, and he will tell you a little more news. I will not be expecting a note from you for a long time again I suppose, as I must give the Cailin Ogs a chance. I hope this note will not interfere with your correspondence. We have no limit.

Remember me to the Kingdom boys.

Beannact leat. All here wish to be remembered to you.

Is mise,
Do cara go buan,

TADG, Ua SUILEABAIN

Drumboe Castle,
Stranorlar,
Donegal

13/3/'23.

Dear Mother,

Just about 4 o'clock this evening it was announced to us, Charlie Daly, Dan Enright, Sean Larkin and myself, that we are to be shot at 7 o'clock to-morrow morning. Welcome be the will of God.

Well dear mother, I want to tell you not to be a bit worried or troubled about me. I know naturally enough it will be a shock to you, especially when you thought everything had passed over alright, but I wouldn't change places with anybody now. We were expecting this ever since our court-martial, that is two months ago now, and I think God was very fair with us, to give us such a long time. Our friends in Donegal have been offering up Masses, Novenas and Prayers for us since then, so they will be a great help to us now, so I think we couldn't be better prepared.

We had a long chat with the priest this evening (Fr. McMullin, Ballybofey) and each of us made a general confession. The priest took our address, so you will have a letter from him in the near future. We will have Mass on the morning and will receive Holy Communion, and a short time after that we will be no more on this earth. We will he gone to another land where trouble is unknown. God will judge us according to our works.

Well mother, I had a few narrow escapes during the last war. I thank God I was not taken then, as I wasn't as well prepared as I am now. I will wear your beads to-morrow morning, and the authorities here will send them on to you with my clothes. I am also giving you a little prayer book I got since I came in here (St. Anthony's Treasure), the small prayer book and beads are for John Joe. I made the little case for the beads myself in here, any other little emblems may be there, give them to the rest of my sisters. I intended writing to May and Maggie, but I think I won't have time. I wrote to Grandma and Kate. I have nothing special to ask you, but don't worry about me as I couldn't be happier, thank God. Good-night Mother, Good-night May, Katie, Julia, Madge, John Joe, Ciss and Michael. Remember me to Thomas O'Connor and Mrs. O'Connor and all my friends in Listowel. Good-bye again and God bless you. I will pray for you all and don't forget me in your prayers. Best of love mother, and all at home.

I remain as ever,
Your fond son,

TIMMY.

P.S. - Don't forget to tell John Joe what I told him some time ago, my comrades send their best wishes. Tell J. J. Foley I would have wrote to him, but I hadn't time. Good-bye again Mother, everybody here is very kind to us and I forgive everyone that has anything to do with our execution.

Dear Helena,

I was expecting a letter from you all along. Well Helena, you will be surprised to hear of my execution on to-morrow morning at 7 o'clock. Welcome be the Will of God.

We were told this evening about 4 o'clock. Dan Enright, Charlie Daly, Sean Larkin and myself. We are quite happy, if you saw us now you would envy us. We got two months to prepare, each of us made a general confession to-night, and we will hear Mass and receive Holy Communion on the morning, and in a short time after that all will be over. We will be before the Judgment Seat of God to render an account for everything we have done wrong. Don't worry one bit about me, as we were expecting the call all along. It is getting late now so I will say Good-bye and God Bless you. Remember me to father, Eddie and Pat, Pat Fitz., Mary and all other friends in Tralee.

Tell Moss Sheehan I hadn't time to drop him a line. Good-bye again Helena and every good luck in the future.

TIMMY.

Drumboe Castle,
Stranorlar

13/3/'23

A Martin, a Cara dil,

When you receive this I will be no more on this earth. To-morrow morning at 7 o'clock, I am to pay the supreme penalty with Dan, Charles and Sean Larkin. God's will be done. My other comrades are spared for the time being. I think God was very good to us to give us such time, as we are preparing for the call ever since our court-martial.

It was announced to us this evening about 4 o'clock. We are all after making a general confession and we will have Mass and Holy Communion in the morning, and a little while after that we will be gone to our Creator, to judge us according to our works.

Martin, don't be a hit troubled about us, as we couldn't be happier.

It is now three o'clock. I will say Good-bye, as I have a few more letters to write. Remember me to Denis and all our old comrades.

Good-bye again Martin. Hoping we will all meet again in a better country.

I remain, as ever,
Your old comrade,

TADG UA SUILEABAN.

P.S. - Remember me to all in the old town. Good-bye. Dan, Charlie and Sean send their last wishes. Enclosed find souvenir.