MacSWINEY, TERENCE.
An Original Photograph of Terence MacSwiney, his wife Muriel and daughter Máire aged perhaps 9-12 months, probably April or May 1919, in studio's folded card, inscribed on...

MacSWINEY, TERENCE.
An Original Photograph of Terence MacSwiney, his wife Muriel and daughter Máire aged perhaps 9-12 months, probably April or May 1919, in studio's folded card, inscribed on verso "For Lola! Terry, / Muriel, / Máire." Loosely inserted is a Happy Feast Day card inscribed "and birthday / with love from / M."

 

A most attractive photograph, apparently unpublished. Photographs showing MacSwiney with his family are very rare. He was in jail when his daughter was born in June 1918, and was released on humanitarian grounds only in March 1919, to support Muriel through a severe attack of influenza. Probably this photograph was taken as soon as she was well enough to be up and about. After his release MacSwiney spent much of his time travelling on Volunteer business and to collect money for the Dáil Loan; for security reasons he rarely slept at home, and Muriel told friends she hardly ever saw him. Terence MacSwiney, Lord Mayor of Cork and Officer Commanding Cork No. 1 Brigade I.R.A. died in 1920 on the 74th day of hunger strike in protest at his imprisonment by the British Authorities. He was a full-time organiser for the Irish Volunteers and a close friend of Michael Collins. His long martyrdom was a turning point in the struggle for independence.

 

 

 

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