Sir, - I have for a long time admired the work of Declan Kiberd. I am learning a lot from his new major work inventing Ireland. However, I must point out an inaccuracy which disturbs me.
On page 402 Mary MacSwiney is referred to as "widow of the hunger striking Lord Mayor of Cork", and later on in the same page as Mrs MacSwiney. Mary MacSwiney was the sister of Terence MacSwiney, not his wife. She moved gradually from suffragist to nationalist. She taught at the Ursuline Convent in Cork until British soldiers moved in and arrested her before her class. Some time after that she opened up her own school, St Ita's. She was in constant conflict with the Catholic Church because of her radical politics. She waged two lengthy hunger strikes against the Free State Government. She deserves to be remembered for herself.
Yours, etc.,
Craobh Mhaire Nic Suibhne, Conradh na Gaeilge,
Gaillimh.