TOM CLARKE: 'THIS IS MY GOOD-BYE' A farewell note from Tom Clarke to Kathleen, on a page from a small diary or notebook, written in Richmond Barracks after his surrender at the end of the Rising,...

TOM CLARKE: 'THIS IS MY GOOD-BYE' A farewell note from Tom Clarke to Kathleen, on a page from a small diary or notebook, written in Richmond Barracks after his surrender at the end of the Rising, when he expected to be shot out of hand. 'Dear K., I am in better health and more satisfied than for many a day - all will be well eventually - but this is my good-bye & now you are ever before me to cheer me - God bless you & the boys, let them be proud to follow same path - Sean is with me & McG, all well - all heroes - I'm full of pride my love.' With a short note from Sean Mac Diarmada on rear. 'Dear Cait, I never felt so proud of the boys. 'Tis worth a life of suffering to be with them for one hour ..'; also the address to which the note was delivered by a soldier to whom Tom entrusted it, giving him his watch as payment. The original pencil writing has been traced over in ink, probably by Kathleen Clarke. The paper has separated at fold, but without loss. With a miniature photograph of Tom, probably from a locket, and a covering note in Kathleen's hand. A poignant item. * 'Sean' is Sean Mac Diarmada; 'McG.' is probably Sean McGarry, a long-standing IRB colleague and friend of Tom Clarke.

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