Commemorating the Easter Rising 1916
On the night of May 7th, just hours before his execution,
Michael Mallin, who had commanded the Citizen Army at
Stephen's Green, wrote to his wife of how he had passed their
house, a few hundred yards from Kilmainham gaol, as he was
being led from Richmond Barracks to his final destination.
He hoped to catch sight of his "darling Wife Pulse of my heart"
or their four young children.
"The only one of my household that I could cast my longing
Eyes on was poor Prinnie the dog she looked so faithfull (sic)
there at the door . . . I am so cold this has been a such a cruel
week."
Mallin tried to keep up a brave front, but the reality of
impending death, and of his departure from his wife and
children shattered him: "My heartstrings are torn to pieces
when I think of you and them of our manly James happy go
lucky John shy warm Una dadys (sic) Girl and oh little Joseph
my little man my little man Wife dear Wife I cannot keep the
tears back when I think of him he will rest in my arms no more. . .my little man my little man my little man, his name unnerves me again all your dear faces arise before me God bless you God bless you my darlings . . ."