Sir, – I would like to express my condolences to the Briscoe family on the sad passing of Ben, husband of Carol. Ben was a former Fianna Fáil TD for Dublin South West as well as lord mayor of Dublin during the millenia celebrations.
He was also the custodian of a treasure trove of documentation inherited from his father, Bob, who held the Dáil seat prior to his retirement in 1969.
I was allowed unfettered access to this private archive when researching “Robert Briscoe: Sinn Féin Revolutionary, Fianna Fáil Nationalist and Revisionist Zionist,” a comprehensive biography of Bob Briscoe’s unique activities in two revolutionary movements against the British Empire.
It would now be a fitting tribute if this archive was donated to a public institution in order for a wider understanding of the tremendous contribution of the Briscoe family to the states of Ireland and Israel. – Yours, etc,
DR KEVIN McCARTHY,
Clare.