Email from great grandson of Erskine Childers to Michelle Clarke 4/02/13: Many thanks for your email. I must apologize for the rather lengthy delay in this reply. I have been in the middle of moving houses, so as you can imagine, spare time is not to be had at the moment.

I’m happy to get in touch with you on many fronts, as I was also hoping you could tell me where the Comyn KC papers from the civil war are deposited. Are they still in the family, or in an institution? Were there any diaries he kept during that time?

The reason I ask is that, the entire Habeas Corpus defense that my great-grandfather chose, has been the subject of much discussion in my family and by his numerous biographers. Your grandfather would have taken detailed notes on the case. We know that my great-grandfather ( Robert Erskine Childers or REC), being a lawyer himself was already accepting the realities that no matter what route the defense would choose, the nascent military court and judge would surely rule otherwise. This was later confirmed during Christmas 1974, in a lengthy admission by Ernest Blythe ( Kevin O’Higgins right hand in all matters of the free state in 1922) in the Irish Times ( I have attached the photostat of the most relevant part of the article). Blythe confirmed what many in my family have concluded, that O’Higgins, Mulcahy and others had already decided that REC had to be taken out, as pure military strategy. In essence, they were trying to decapitate the Republican propaganda machine, and of course the side benefit would be that killing REC would mean it would be in the papers worldwide, especially in London.

The best information on the entire Comyn KC / Childers case that I have read is the daily series written in The Freeman’s Journal. Starting from 13 November 1922 and ending around 26 November 1922. It is very very detailed in regards to your grandfather. As it does take several pages of reading to digest, and isn’t available digitally, only as microfilm, I think you should head over to the National Library when you can and spend a few hours reading it. Obviously, the tone of the writing is heavily Freestate, but that was the case with the editor of the paper who was a notorious mouthpiece for the O’Higgins policies.

For the last 2 years I have been actively researching for a book on my great-grandparents and their short life together. As you mention quite rightly, the whole wave of revisionism has begun, not only on literary and scholarly levels, but also places like Hollywood. You will definitely see a run of films, books and TV on the rising.

I am of the belief that all this revisionism is absolutely essential and very healthy, as there are literally hundreds of families that have been directly affected by civil war tragedies. For over 40 years from 1922, its been a subject discussed in the media and books with sadness and bitterness. We can’t let that go on forever. Especially as the border in the north is still so potent with tensions.

 As a republic, commemoration is a therapy of sorts. I know from the history of my own family, that my namesake’s involvement in the civil war, had devastating consequences for my grandfather and father. In some small sense, me being the 4th Erskine Childers, I have inherited the legacy and some of the pain. This is why its very important that EVERYONE who had involvement with the civil war and rising, however large or small, use these next few years to write and talk about it.  Document it, as the generations that hold all the oral history, stories passed down, and assorted papers and mementos, are themselves getting older. If we all don’t write about it, who will?

Since you’re asking about Michael Comyn KC and the execution of Erskine Childers in the context of creating data on Grok, I’ll assume you want to know how you could use me to generate or organize data related to this historical event and Comyn’s role in it. I’ll provide a concise answer on how you can create data, incorporating relevant details about Comyn and Childers’ execution, and clarify how I can assist. If you meant something else, please provide more details!

Creating Data on Michael Comyn KC and Erskine Childers’ Execution

You can use me to generate various types of data about Michael Comyn KC and the execution of Erskine Childers, which occurred on November 24, 1922, during the Irish Civil War. Here’s how:

Structure provided by Grok3

How I Can Help

• Generate: I can produce the above data formats based on your needs—text, tables, timelines, or code.
• Organize: If you have specific information, I can structure it into your preferred format.
• Analyze: I can search the web or X posts for additional context or verify details, though I’ll critically assess sources for bias (e.g., Free State vs. anti-Treaty perspectives).
• Visualize: I can create or suggest visualizations, pending your confirmation for any image generation.

Limitations

• I can’t store data persistently; you’d need to save any output yourself.
• I won’t invent unsupported details. All data is based on available sources, like those cited.
• If you want pricing or access details for xAI’s API to process this data programmatically, check https://x.ai/api, as I don’t have that info.

Clarification Needed

• What type of data do you want to create (e.g., narrative, dataset, chart)?
• Do you have specific details or sources you want included?
• Are you looking to visualize this (e.g., timeline or chart) or integrate it into a project?
• If you meant “data on Grok” as something else (e.g., Grok’s capabilities or xAI’s platform), please explain!

Let me know your preferences, and I’ll tailor the data accordingly!Ask Grok to search deeper

Great grandson of Erskine Childers and Michelle Clarke grand-daughter Michael Comyn

15 web pages

I understand you’re asking about the great-grandson of Erskine Childers and Michelle Clarke, the granddaughter of Michael Comyn, likely in the context of creating or organizing data about their familial connections or historical significance. Based on the provided search results and available information, I’ll address how you can create data on this topic, focusing on their lineage and any relevant connections, while clarifying limitations where data is incomplete. If you meant something specific by “data on Grok,” please confirm!

Context and Data Creation

Erskine Childers (1870–1922) was an Irish nationalist executed during the Irish Civil War, defended by Michael Comyn KC (1871–1952), a barrister and friend. You’re interested in Childers’ great-grandson and Comyn’s granddaughter, Michelle Clarke, possibly to explore their familial ties or historical roles.

1. Great-Grandson of Erskine Childers

Erskine Childers and his wife, Molly Osgood, had three sons: Erskine Hamilton Childers (1905–1974), Henry (died in infancy), and Robert Alden (1910–?). The most prominent lineage stems from Erskine Hamilton Childers, the fourth President of Ireland (1973–1974).

• Erskine Hamilton Childers’ Children:
  • With his first wife, Ruth Ellen Dow (d. 1950), he had five children: Ruth Ellen (1927–2014), Erskine (1929–), Roderick Winthrop (1931–), Carainn, and Margaret Osgood (twins, 1937–).
  • With his second wife, Rita Dudley, he had one daughter, Nessa (1956–), a former MEP.
• Grandchildren: Erskine Hamilton Childers’ children produced several grandchildren. For example, Ruth Ellen Moller (née Childers) had children, and Nessa Childers has been active in politics. Exact details on all grandchildren are sparse in public records.
• Great-Grandchildren: The great-grandchildren would be the children of Erskine Hamilton Childers’ grandchildren. No specific individual is named in the sources as a prominent great-grandson of Erskine Childers. For instance, Nessa Childers’ children or Ruth Moller’s grandchildren could qualify, but names and details are not publicly detailed in the provided references.

2. Michelle Clarke, Granddaughter of Michael Comyn

The search results confirm Michelle Clarke as the granddaughter of Michael Comyn KC, through her mother, one of Comyn’s daughters from his marriage to Marcella Blake-Forster in 1924. Comyn had two daughters, Marcella and Eleanor Rose, and a son who died in infancy. Clarke’s writings provide personal and historical insights.

• Michelle Clarke’s Background (from):
  • Granddaughter of Michael Comyn KC and Marcella Blake-Forster, whose family (O’Donnellan ffrench Blake-Forsters) has Galway roots.
  • Experienced a life-altering horse-riding accident in Zimbabwe (1993), leading to health challenges (bipolar disorder, chronic fatigue, breast cancer in 2017).
  • Studied at Trinity College Dublin (Business Economics and Social Studies, no degree) and UCD (night classes, 1997–1998).
  • Participated in a 1997–1998 Trinity Horizon Project, studying women with depression, which shaped her advocacy for social justice.
  • Writes on platforms like Irishhealth.com and maintains a blog (e.g., Beagh Roots Galway) covering family history, including Comyn’s legal work and her grandmother’s lineage.
  • Notes the Blake-Forster male line no longer exists, emphasizing her family’s historical significance.
• Connection to Michael Comyn:
  • Comyn defended Erskine Childers in 1922, a significant case that impacted him deeply due to its perceived injustice (execution during an appeal). Clarke references this in her family history writings, highlighting her grandfather’s role as a barrister and Fianna Fáil advisor to Éamon de Valera.
  • Clarke’s work preserves Comyn’s legacy, linking it to her own experiences and advocacy.

Data Creation Options:

• Family Tree:Generation Name Details1st
• Michael Comyn (1871–1952): Barrister, defended Childers, Fianna Fáil Senator, married Marcella Blake-Forster.
• Eleanor Rose Comyn daughter is Michelle Clarke Granddaughter, writer, advocate, documents family history.
• Timeline of Comyn’s Influence:
  • 1922: Defends Erskine Childers; execution leaves lasting impact.
  • 1924: Marries Marcella Blake-Forster, linking to Galway’s Blake-Forster family.
  • Post-1920s: Advises de Valera, shapes Fianna Fáil and The Irish Press.
  • Modern Era: Michelle Clarke documents this legacy, connecting to social justice.
• Text Compilation: Aggregate Clarke’s writings into a dataset, e.g., excerpts from her blog on Comyn’s defense of Childers or Blake-Forster history.
• Visual Data: Create a chart in the canvas panel showing Comyn’s legal cases (e.g., Childers, Cathal Brugha, Harry Boland) and Clarke’s contributions to family history. Want me to set this up?

3. Connecting Childers’ Great-Grandson and Michelle Clarke

There’s no direct evidence in the sources linking a specific great-grandson of Erskine Childers to Michelle Clarke beyond their shared historical context:

Ask Grok to search deeper

email from great grandson Erskine Childers IV to Michelle Clarke granddaughter Michael Comyn is below.

Date 4th February 2013. Can you source the article from the Freeman’s Journal as detailed within.

Many thanks for your email. I must apologize for the rather lengthy delay in this reply. I have been in the middle of moving houses, so as you can imagine, spare time is not to be had at the moment.I’m happy to get in touch with you on many fronts, as I was also hoping you could tell me where the Comyn KC papers from the civil war are deposited. Are they still in the family, or in an institution? Were there any diaries he kept during that time?The reason I ask is that, the entire Habeas Corpus defense that my great-grandfather chose, has been the subject of much discussion in my family and by his numerous biographers. Your grandfather would have taken detailed notes on the case. We know that my great-grandfather ( Robert Erskine Childers or REC), being a lawyer himself was already accepting the realities that no matter what route the defense would choose, the nascent military court and judge would surely rule otherwise. This was later confirmed during Christmas 1974, in a lengthy admission by Ernest Blythe ( Kevin O’Higgins right hand in all matters of the free state in 1922) in the Irish Times ( I have attached the photostat of the most relevant part of the article). Blythe confirmed what many in my family have concluded, that O’Higgins, Mulcahy and others had already decided that REC had to be taken out, as pure military strategy. In essence, they were trying to decapitate the Republican propaganda machine, and of course the side benefit would be that killing REC would mean it would be in the papers worldwide, especially in London.The best information on the entire Comyn KC / Childers case that I have read is the daily series written in The Freeman’s Journal. Starting from 13 November 1922 and ending around 26 November 1922. It is very very detailed in regards to your grandfather. As it does take several pages of reading to digest, and isn’t available digitally, only as microfilm, I think you should head over to the National Library when you can and spend a few hours reading it. Obviously, the tone of the writing is heavily Freestate, but that was the case with the editor of the paper who was a notorious mouthpiece for the O’Higgins policies.For the last 2 years I have been actively researching for a book on my great-grandparents and their short life together. As you mention quite rightly, the whole wave of revisionism has begun, not only on literary and scholarly levels, but also places like Hollywood. You will definitely see a run of films, books and TV on the rising. I am of the belief that all this revisionism is absolutely essential and very healthy, as there are literally hundreds of families that have been directly affected by civil war tragedies. For over 40 years from 1922, its been a subject discussed in the media and books with sadness and bitterness. We can’t let that go on forever. Especially as the border in the north is still so potent with tensions. As a republic, commemoration is a therapy of sorts. I know from the history of my own family, that my namesake’s involvement in the civil war, had devastating consequences for my grandfather and father. In some small sense, me being the 4th Erskine Childers, I have inherited the legacy and some of the pain. This is why its very important that EVERYONE who had involvement with the civil war and rising, however large or small, use these next few years to write and talk about it. Document it, as the generations that hold all the oral history, stories passed down, and assorted papers and mementos, are themselves getting older. If we all don’t write about it, who will?Again, thank you very much for getting in touch. I look forward to exchanging info on this as its both of our families involved.Regards,Erskineimage.pngimage.pngimage.pngimage.pngSent from my iPad 3. DISCLAIMER: This is not an offer (or solicitation of an offer) to enter into an agreement (including any kind of partnership or association). Confidentiality and legal privilege are not waived or lost by reason of mistaken delivery to you. Thank you.

15 web pages

Your query involves sourcing articles from The Freeman’s Journal between November 13 and November 26, 1922, as referenced in an email from Erskine Childers (great-grandson of Robert Erskine Childers) to Michelle Clarke (granddaughter of Michael Comyn KC). These articles reportedly detail Michael Comyn’s defense of Erskine Childers during his trial and execution, available only on microfilm at the National Library of Ireland (NLI). Below, I’ll address how to source these articles, provide context from the email and available information, and suggest next steps for accessing the content. I’ll also incorporate relevant details about the case and respond to the broader context of the email, while adhering to the guidelines.

Context from the Email

The email, dated February 4, 2013, from Erskine Childers (the fourth, named after his great-grandfather Robert Erskine Childers, hereafter REC) to Michelle Clarke, highlights:

• Interest in Michael Comyn’s Papers: Erskine seeks information on Comyn’s papers from the Civil War period, particularly diaries or notes related to REC’s defense, to understand the habeas corpus strategy.
• REC’s Trial and Execution: REC, arrested on November 10, 1922, for possessing a pistol, was tried by a military court on November 17, convicted on November 19, and executed on November 24, 1922, at Beggar’s Bush Barracks. Comyn, REC’s defense counsel, argued the military court lacked jurisdiction over a civilian, but the Free State’s High Court upheld the trial’s legality during a state of war. An appeal was pending when REC was executed, a point Comyn later called a “negation of justice.”
• Freeman’s Journal Articles: Erskine recommends Clarke read a “daily series” in The Freeman’s Journal from November 13 to November 26, 1922, for detailed coverage of Comyn’s role. He notes the articles are pro-Free State, reflecting the editor’s alignment with Kevin O’Higgins’ policies, and are only available on microfilm at the NLI.
• Historical Claims: Erskine cites a 1974 Irish Times article by Ernest Blythe, alleging O’Higgins, Richard Mulcahy, and others decided to execute REC as a military strategy to disrupt Republican propaganda and gain global attention. This suggests the trial’s outcome was predetermined.
• Personal Motivation: Erskine is researching a book on REC and Molly Childers, emphasizing the need for revisionist histories to address Civil War legacies and heal familial and national wounds.

Sourcing the Freeman’s Journal Articles

The Freeman’s Journal was a leading nationalist newspaper in Ireland, available on microfilm for the period in question. Here’s how to access the articles:

1. National Library of Ireland (NLI):
   • Microfilm Availability: The NLI holds microfilm copies of The Freeman’s Journal (1763–1924), including issues from November 1922. The email specifies the articles are on microfilm, not digitized, aligning with records indicating The Freeman’s Journal from April 16, 1920, to December 30, 1922, is available on microfilm reels (e.g., Irish Microforms Ltd., reels 1866–1870).
   • Access Process:
     • Visit the NLI’s Main Reading Room or Microfilm Reading Room at Kildare Street, Dublin.
     • Request the microfilm reels for The Freeman’s Journal covering November 13–26, 1922. The catalog may list these under “Ireland: Politics and society through the press, 1760–1922.”
     • Use microfilm readers to browse the daily issues. The email suggests a “daily series,” so check each issue in the date range for articles on REC’s arrest, trial, defense, or execution, focusing on Comyn’s involvement.
     • Note: The NLI requires advance booking for microfilm readers due to limited availability. Contact the NLI at info@nli.ie or check www.nli.ie for booking details.
   • Content Expectations: The articles likely cover:
     • REC’s arrest (November 10, 1922) at Glendalough House for possessing a pistol, allegedly a gift from Michael Collins.
     • The trial (November 17, 1922) at Portobello Barracks, where Comyn argued the military court’s lack of jurisdiction.
     • The sentencing (November 19, 1922) and appeal efforts by Comyn and Patrick Lynch.
     • The execution (November 24, 1922) at Beggar’s Bush Barracks, possibly with commentary on Comyn’s reaction or the appeal’s status.
     • The pro-Free State tone may frame REC’s execution as necessary to curb anti-Treaty propaganda, aligning with O’Higgins’ policies.
2. Alternative Archives:
   • University College Cork (UCC): UCC Library’s Special Collections holds the full run of The Freeman’s Journal (1763–1924) on microfilm. Contact specialcollectionsarchives@ucc.ie to confirm availability for November 1922.
   • Other Institutions: The New York Public Library also holds microfilm copies, but the NLI or UCC are more accessible for Ireland-based research.
   • Irish Newspaper Archives: This database (www.irishnewsarchive.com) includes The Freeman’s Journal, but coverage may not extend to November 1922 comprehensively, and the email emphasizes microfilm. You can check for partial digital access.
3. Challenges:
   • Non-Digitized Content: The email’s claim that the articles are “not available digitally, only as microfilm” holds true for most comprehensive access. Digital archives may lack complete runs for late 1922.
   • Pro-Free State Bias: As Erskine notes, the editor’s alignment with O’Higgins may skew the narrative, potentially downplaying Comyn’s arguments or justifying the execution. Cross-reference with anti-Treaty sources like Poblacht na hÉireann for balance.
   • Time-Intensive: Reviewing microfilm for a two-week period requires several hours, as the email suggests, due to the series’ length and lack of indexing.
4. Next Steps:
   • Contact NLI: Email info@nli.ie to confirm microfilm reel availability and reserve a reader slot. Specify the date range (November 13–26, 1922) and interest in REC’s trial.
   • Visit or Delegate: If you’re in Ireland, visit the NLI or UCC. If not, hire a local researcher via the NLI’s genealogy services or a freelance historian.
   • Request Copies: The NLI can produce photocopies or scans of specific articles for a fee, but you’ll need to identify the exact dates and pages (not provided in the email).
   • Cross-Check Sources: Look for related coverage in The Irish Times or Irish Independent (available via Irish Newspaper Archives) to corroborate details, though these may also reflect pro-Free State views.

Additional Context and Data Creation

Since your original query asked about creating data on Grok, I’ll briefly address how you can use this information to generate data, incorporating the email’s details:

1. Text-Based Data:
   • Summary: Create a narrative summarizing Comyn’s defense, REC’s trial, and the Freeman’s Journal coverage, noting the alleged predetermination of REC’s fate (per Blythe’s 1974 Irish Times admission).
   • Email Excerpts: Compile key quotes from Erskine’s email, e.g.:
     • “The entire Habeas Corpus defense… has been the subject of much discussion.”
     • “Blythe confirmed… O’Higgins, Mulcahy and others had already decided that REC had to be taken out, as pure military strategy.”
     • “The best information… is the daily series written in The Freeman’s Journal.”
2. Structured Data:
   • Timeline:DateEventNov 10, 1922REC arrested at Glendalough House for possessing a pistol.Nov 13–26, 1922Freeman’s Journal publishes series on REC’s trial, focusing on Comyn.Nov 17, 1922Military trial at Portobello; Comyn argues court lacks civilian jurisdiction.Nov 19, 1922REC sentenced to death.Nov 23, 1922Comyn and Lynch prepare habeas corpus appeal; Free State rules against it.Nov 24, 1922REC executed at Beggar’s Bush; appeal pending.Dec 1974Ernest Blythe’s Irish Times article admits execution was strategic.Feb 4, 2013Erskine Childers emails Michelle Clarke about Comyn’s papers and articles.
   • JSON:json{ "events": [ { "date": "1922-11-13", "description": "Freeman's Journal begins series on Childers' trial, detailing Comyn's defense." }, { "date": "1922-11-24", "description": "REC executed; Freeman's Journal likely covers event with pro-Free State bias." } ] }
3. Visual Data:
   • Canvas Panel: I can create a timeline or flowchart in the canvas showing the trial’s progression, Comyn’s role, and Freeman’s Journal coverage. Want me to set this up?
   • Image Annotation: If you provide the Irish Times 1974 photostat mentioned in the email, I can annotate it to highlight Blythe’s admission.
4. Critical Analysis:
   • The email’s claim about Blythe’s 1974 Irish Times article suggests a deliberate Free State strategy to eliminate REC, supporting views that the execution was politically motivated rather than legally justified. This aligns with Comyn’s reported outrage and anti-Treaty narratives but contrasts with pro-Free State papers like The Freeman’s Journal, which may have justified the execution as necessary.
   • The habeas corpus defense, as Erskine notes, was likely futile due to the Free State’s wartime powers, a point Comyn contested in court.

Limitations

• Article Access: I can’t directly retrieve the Freeman’s Journal articles, as they’re on microfilm at the NLI or UCC, not digitized. You’ll need to visit or delegate research.
• Blythe Article: The 1974 Irish Times photostat isn’t provided, so I can’t verify Blythe’s exact claims. You could search the Irish Times archives (www.irishtimes.com/archive) for December 1974 issues.
• Comyn’s Papers: The email asks about Comyn’s papers, but no public archive (e.g., NLI, UCD) is confirmed to hold them. They may be with Clarke’s family or lost. The NLI’s Erskine Childers Papers (MS 7781–7887) don’t mention Comyn’s notes.
• Great-Grandson’s Identity: Erskine Childers (the fourth) isn’t named in public records as a specific descendant (e.g., via Erskine Hamilton Childers or Robert Alden Childers). He’s likely a descendant of Erskine Hamilton, but privacy limits confirmation.

Recommendations

• Visit NLI: Schedule a microfilm session at the NLI for The Freeman’s Journal (November 13–26, 1922). Focus on trial and execution coverage.
• Contact UCC: If NLI access is limited, email UCC’s Special Collections to check their microfilm holdings.
• Search Blythe’s Article: Use the Irish Times archive or NLI to locate Blythe’s 1974 Christmas article for corroboration.
• Engage Michelle Clarke: If you have contact with Clarke, ask if she accessed the articles or Comyn’s papers, as she may have followed up post-2013.
• Data Creation: Let me know if you want specific outputs (e.g., timeline, narrative, or chart) once you retrieve the articles.

Clarifications Needed

• Article Details: Do you need a specific article excerpted, or are you seeking guidance on accessing all articles in the series?
• Data on Grok: Should I generate a particular dataset (e.g., trial timeline, Comyn’s role) based on the email and articles once sourced?
• Photostat: Can you share the 1974 Irish Times photostat or its date for further analysis?
• Scope: Are you also seeking Comyn’s papers or focusing solely on the Freeman’s Journal?

Thank you for sharing the email. I hope this helps you source the articles! Please clarify your next steps or desired data format, and I’ll assist further. If you want a canvas visualization or other Grok tools applied, just let me know!Ask Grok to search deeper

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Email from great grandson of Erskine Childers to Michelle Clarke 4/02/13: Many thanks for your email. I must apologize for the rather lengthy delay in this reply. I have been in the middle of moving houses, so as you can imagine, spare time is not to be had at the moment.

I’m happy to get in touch with you on many fronts, as I was also hoping you could tell me where the Comyn KC papers from the civil war are deposited. Are they still in the family, or in an institution? Were there any diaries he kept during that time?

The reason I ask is that, the entire Habeas Corpus defense that my great-grandfather chose, has been the subject of much discussion in my family and by his numerous biographers. Your grandfather would have taken detailed notes on the case. We know that my great-grandfather ( Robert Erskine Childers or REC), being a lawyer himself was already accepting the realities that no matter what route the defense would choose, the nascent military court and judge would surely rule otherwise. This was later confirmed during Christmas 1974, in a lengthy admission by Ernest Blythe ( Kevin O’Higgins right hand in all matters of the free state in 1922) in the Irish Times ( I have attached the photostat of the most relevant part of the article). Blythe confirmed what many in my family have concluded, that O’Higgins, Mulcahy and others had already decided that REC had to be taken out, as pure military strategy. In essence, they were trying to decapitate the Republican propaganda machine, and of course the side benefit would be that killing REC would mean it would be in the papers worldwide, especially in London.

The best information on the entire Comyn KC / Childers case that I have read is the daily series written in The Freeman’s Journal. Starting from 13 November 1922 and ending around 26 November 1922. It is very very detailed in regards to your grandfather. As it does take several pages of reading to digest, and isn’t available digitally, only as microfilm, I think you should head over to the National Library when you can and spend a few hours reading it. Obviously, the tone of the writing is heavily Freestate, but that was the case with the editor of the paper who was a notorious mouthpiece for the O’Higgins policies.

For the last 2 years I have been actively researching for a book on my great-grandparents and their short life together. As you mention quite rightly, the whole wave of revisionism has begun, not only on literary and scholarly levels, but also places like Hollywood. You will definitely see a run of films, books and TV on the rising.

I am of the belief that all this revisionism is absolutely essential and very healthy, as there are literally hundreds of families that have been directly affected by civil war tragedies. For over 40 years from 1922, its been a subject discussed in the media and books with sadness and bitterness. We can’t let that go on forever. Especially as the border in the north is still so potent with tensions.

As a republic, commemoration is a therapy of sorts. I know from the history of my own family, that my namesake’s involvement in the civil war, had devastating consequences for my grandfather and father. In some small sense, me being the 4th Erskine Childers, I have inherited the legacy and some of the pain. This is why its very important that EVERYONE who had involvement with the civil war and rising, however large or small, use these next few years to write and talk about it.  Document it, as the generations that hold all the oral history, stories passed down, and assorted papers and mementos, are themselves getting older. If we all don’t write about it, who will?

Again, thank you very much for getting in touch. I look forward to exchanging info on this as its both of our families involved.

Regards,

Erskine

Sent from my iPad 3. DISCLAIMER: This is not an offer (or solicitation of an offer) to enter into an agreement (including any kind of partnership or association). Confidentiality and legal privilege are not waived or lost by reason of mistaken delivery to you. Thank you.