MacSwiney letter could sell for up to €2,000

A previously unknown letter written by Lord Mayor of Cork Terence MacSwiney, who died on hunger strike in a British jail in 1920, could fetch up to €2,000 at auction next week.

The letter came to light as part of a routine valuation of a family collection by West Cork antiques dealer Ted Hegarty.

MacSwiney wrote the letter while interred in Richmond Barracks just months after the 1916 Easter Rising, to thank the West Cork family for their support. Mr Hegarty said the letter, which has been in the family’s possession for almost a century, will be offered for sale as part of an auction of the Keyes McDonnell collection on Oct 16. “It is expected to fetch between €1,000 and €2,000,” he said.