Dear Mr Ford – 1898

Dear Mr Ford,

I send you two dollars for dear Ireland.

I left Doneraile in 1848 with my husband and one child. The visions of the famine victims dying in every caving at that time will ever remain in my mind. I had two children before leaving Ireland. I buried my baby the day before we sailed. The other child was buried at sea.

My husband took to grieving, and died later on, leaving me alone in the world.

I pray night and day for Ireland’s liberty. But I am now 72 years old, and I am afraid I shall not live to see it.

God help dear Ireland

Mary Murray