MY LATE FATHER was a man before his time. He always said so. I’m beginning to wonder myself. The impending visit of Queen Elizabeth reminded me that, in at least one instance, he was indeed ahead of his time.
It was 35 years ago (1976) and he was a Fianna Fáil county councillor in Roscommon. Of a sort, as you will see.
He was friendly with the then editor of the Roscommon HeraldMíceál O'Callaghan and supplied that good man with many outrageous headlines which both found beneficial.
They conjured up a story as to how the letter below appeared in the Heraldwhen it – so clearly – was intended for another destination.
The story went that it had fallen from a post office van and then arrived at the Heraldin Boyle. It was picked off the road by someone who dutifully posted it to the local paper. As you do! Then, readers always knew what they were up to.
Between the brackets are my explanations/clarifications.
The letter to Queen Elizabeth begins: “A Bhanrion Eilis, a chara mo chroi, You might have got a letter recently from Roscommon County Council about a discussion we had recently on the question of justice for Irish prisoners in British jails. I had asked that it be sent to you personally but the way things are in Roscommon County Council at the present time, they might not even know your address, let alone send a letter for me.
“Anyhow my reason for writing this note is to ask you not to worry about the letter if you get it. I wouldn’t like to spoil our friendship. You see to be a politician in Ireland nowadays, you have to say one thing and mean another if you are to survive in political life.
“ ’Tis a popular thing to run down the British in public but be damn glad at the same time to have Britain there for our emigrants and to send us the tourists. So you’ll understand I am only playing the political game.
“Well so much for that, Eilis a thaisge – you’ll excuse the Irish breaking out in me. How is himself getting on these times? If things were a bit more settled I had in mind inviting him over here to start a pony polo club in Ballaghaderreen. I have a little place where we could keep a few ponies and between Philip and myself we could get a good club going.
“It would be nice to see a few good ponies out in Aughalaustia instead of the asses we have there at present [Aughalaustia is where Ballaghaderreen golf club is situated. My father had issues with golf and golfers] – and I have always fancied myself at the gentlemanly sport.
“Charlie [Prince Charles] is making a fine young man, Bail O Dhia Air. ‘A broth of a boy’, as we say over here. But do you think it’s fair he should have to wait so long to get on the throne? I saw you on TV with President Ford [then US president] and, fair play to you, but you look in the best of health, thank God.
“So take the advice of a good friend, and while you are able to enjoy the pension, give him the place. I saw too many cases around here of the ould pair hanging on too long to the biteen of land and the son expecting to get his inheritance and a wife when he is on the wrong side of 50.
“I don’t care too much for the crowd I see him hanging around with. You’d want to mind him or he’ll turn out like his uncle Ned [Edward VIII, who abdicated to marry Wallace Simpson].
“I thought Anne was in very hard luck in Montreal [1976 Olympics]. But I was just saying the other day it was too much for her, the crathur, after the fall she got off a horse a few months ago. I fell off a jennet myself one time and I wasn’t the better of it for weeks. That God may save her and keep everyone from harm.
“I hope Andrew is going well at school. Andy was always my favourite and I’d be glad to know how well he’d be doing. You might think of sending him over some time for a holiday. He could play around with the lads [we, his five sons] and he’d enjoy that no end. We have a school band here and I’m sure they’d turn out to meet him.
“Don’t bother thanking me for the offer because there’s no end I wouldn’t go to for a friend.
“I’m sending you a few cuttings from the local papers with my speeches at the council meetings. You can judge for yourself that I’m a thorn in their sides, and my Fianna Fáil colleagues don’t know whether I’m for them or against them. Sometimes I’m both, which isn’t easy, but for a man of my capabilities it is no bother.
“Give my best regards to all the family, including Margaret [Princess Margaret, who had just then separated from Anthony Armstrong-Jones]. It’s a pity things worked out so badly for her but I always say you cannot trust them fellows with the double-barrelled names. Look at the trouble we have with Cruise-O’Brien.
“God bless you now and slan leat, Mise le meas, Tomas MacGearraidh”.