Constable Whelan, Letters of Condolence, 1916

Set of copy typed letters, unsigned, of sympathy issued to the family of RIC Constable Patrick Whelan following his death. Whelan had been stationed at Eglinton Street Barracks, Galway when he was shot and killed on 26^th April 1916, following an exchange of gun fire between the Irish Volunteers and British Crown Forces close to Carnmore Cross early that morning.

Includes:

·      Letter from Thomas J Lydon, Secretary, The National Volunteers, Galway  Headquarters, Temperance Buildings, Galway to Mrs Margaret Whelan, Johnstown, Co. Kilkenny, Whelan's mother (9 May 1916).

·      Letter from Bro. E O'Connell, St Patrick's Monastery, Galway to Mrs Glendon, Whelan's sister, (7 May 1916).

·      Letter from John Golden, Sen., RIC Constabulary, Dominick Street, Galway, to Mr Dwyer, Templemore, Co. Offaly [brother-in-law to Whelan] (10 May 1916), which states, Patrick was 'beloved by everyone even amongst those at whose hands he met his death, but unfortunately someone was to fall on that morning and it fell to the lot of the best man, and the best prepared to go at such short notice before his God'.

·      Letter from P J Killacky, Head Constable, RIC Constabulary, Galway to Mrs Whelan (6 June 1916), stating, 'We had the remains laid out in Barracks, had a magnificent oak coffin, removed at 6 pm to the Pro Cathedral, and the following morning had High Mass. The only relative was a cousin who is a Patrician Brother in this town. The Co. Inspector, District Inspector and every available policeman was present, with the band, and a funeral party of the Connaught Rangers, and a funeral party of the Royal Marines. The townspeople in thousands accompanied the remains to the grave side and are now arranging to having (sic) a suitable monument erected to his memory...'.