Letter from Harry Boland to James Ryan, 15 November 1916
Born near Taghmon, County Wexford, the youngest of a political family, James Ryan was educated at St Peter’s College, Wexford, Ring College and University College Dublin where he studied medicine. While at College he joined Sinn Féin and the Volunteers, was in charge of the medical unit in the GPO during Easter Week, 1916, and was subsequently interned in Stafford and Frongoch. Elected Sinn Féin MP for Wexford in 1918, he was interned on Spike Island during the War of Independence, opposed the Treaty and was interned in the Curragh. He was a founder member of Fianna Fáil and served in every Fianna Fáil government from 1932 until his retirement in 1965, as Minister for Agriculture, 1932–47, Minister for Health and Social Welfare, 1947–48 and 1951–54, and Minister for Finance, 1957–65.
Included in the collection are letters received after Ryan’s release from those still in prison in late 1916. One of these letters is from Harry Boland, dated 15 November 1916. The letter describes a [Halloween] celebration in the camp 'several turned up in fancy dress, and we had three "ladies for a night" who were very much sought after ... ', belief that he and the other prisoners will not be released in the near future: '…we are now settled down for what appears to be a long stay' and his delight that Phyllis [Ryan's sister] received her Science degree.
UCDA P88/39 Letter from Harry Boland to James Ryan, 15 November 1916
Transcription
Frongoch
Nov 15th 1916
Dear Jim,
I have been intending to write to you for some time past and your last letter has roused my conscience to this effort.
As I write this you are probably having the time of your life at your special dance – Liam however still believes you haven’t quite done him out as he got a big cake from that quarter the other day.
We had great celebrations last night in the Y.M.C.A. hut – Several turned out in fancy dress and we had three “ladies for a night” who were very much sought after – for what were three among so many. There was a supper at 7.30 and the sport continued until 9 – snap apple [… ] for money – bear races and other intellectual and uplifting sports. Of course you know we are all in the North Camp again – I am in 22 hut having doubled my original number which is now the artists’ studio. John Murphy of your county is our hut leader.
Lack of space prevents me giving the necessary […] adjectives to describe the weather but we have had a week of continuous heavy rain with some thunder and lightning yesterday.
I heard today from some friends of yours – one in Co Donegal and another in Belfast both seem in the best of form.
Card playing has take a back seat as far as I am concerned and I don’t think many of you old [card] school are at it still – at any rate not as much as of old since we are now settled down to what appears like a long stay.
Thank Phyllis for her letter and congratulate her on the B.Sc. Be sure and remember me to the Reading boys when writing.
Best wishes to all at 19 – Let some of you write often.
Yours in the rain
Harry B