1916 Diary: posting shamrock early to the forces in France

March 7th, 1916

"The Post Office gives notice that owing to the enormous number of packets containing shamrock to be dealt with before 17th March it is impossible to guarantee delivery on St Patrick' s Day, unless they are posted early. In order to secure delivery in good time the posting of packets of shamrock for the Expeditionary Force in France, especially in country places, should be effected not later than the early despatches of Friday, March 10th." Opening night of new production of WB Yeats's C athleen ni Houlihan, which centres on the 1798 rebellion, at the Abbey Theatre.

At Listowel Petty Sessions Mr Robert Danaher, merchant , The Square, Listowel, is charged under the Defence of the Realm Act with using language of a seditious character to a private in the 1st Battalion Irish Guards named Maurice Mulvihill, who is now at home on furlough, by saying that he should not fight for the English. Private Mulvihill gave evidence in support of the prosecution. The case was dismissed by a majority. Letter to editor, The Irish Times: "I understand that some lawn-tennis clubs have lately been sending round what really amounts to ballot papers asking their members if they consider that the club they belong to should re-open this summer.

“Several members of the club to which I belong have sent negative answers. One of their reasons is that they do not consider it seemly for those left at home to be seen amusing themselves on a tennis court when their relations are risking their lives at the front.

“This is all very well so far as it goes, but what about the future? Shut down a tennis club and naturally the ground is left uncared for, and will take a very large sum to put to rights again.

“Does anyone really believe that the members of the different clubs who have gone to fight will thank us if they return to find their clubs shut down and grounds nearly beyond repair? The tennis clubs have each handed in a good sum for various Army charities, my club sending over £10 to the British Red Cross. —Yours, etc, ‘Carry On’, Dublin.”

2016

Opening of new exhibition in Belfast City Hall, Belfast: Reflections on 1916. Interactive exhibition looks at some of the most significant events of the year including the Battle of the Somme, Easter Rising and Battle of Jutland. Admission free.