41 - Transcript of a Condolence Letter from Father Theobald Mathew to John O’Connell regarding the death of Daniel O’Connell

41

Transcript of a Condolence Letter from Father Theobald Mathew to John O’Connell regarding the death of Daniel O’Connell

2 pp; manuscript

Transcript (copy) of a letter of condolence written by Father Theobald Mathew, sent from Cork to John O’Connell (son of Daniel O’Connell, ‘The Liberator’) and dated 4 June 1847. Writing shortly after the political leader’s death in Genoa, Father Mathew offers deep spiritual comfort to his friend, noting that few loved or honoured John’s ‘great & good father’ longer or more intimately than he did. The text outlines Father Mathew’s daily offering of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass for the Liberator’s eternal repose, expresses a shared sorrow felt by the inhabitants of the South of Ireland at being unable to pay respects locally, and explicitly supports the decision to select the ‘Metropolis of Ireland’ (Dublin) as O’Connell’s final, honoured resting place.

ISAD(G) 2nd edition