Written in Arbour Hill Barracks, Dublin, 3 May, 1916.
My Dearest Mother,
I have been hoping up to now it would be possible to see you again, but it does not seem possible. Goodbye, dear mother. Through you I say good-bye to “Wow Wow” (a sister), Mary Brigid, Willie, Miss B. Michael, Cousin Margine and every one at St. Enda’s. I hope and believe Willie and St. Enda boys will be all safe. I have written two papers about financial affairs and one about my books which I want you to get. With them are a few poems which I want added to the poems in MS. in my bookcase. You asked me to write a little poem which would seem to be said by you about me. I have written it, and a copy is in Arbor Hill barracks with other papers.
I just received Holy Communion. I am happy, except for the great grief of parting from you. This is the death I should have asked if God had given me the choice of all deaths—to die a soldier’s death for Ireland and for freedom.
We have done right. People will say hard things of us now, but later on will praise us. Do not grieve for all this, but think of it as a sacrifice which God asked of me and of you. Good-bye again, dear mother. May God bless you for your great love for me and for your great faith, and may He remember all you have so bravely suffered. I hope soon to see papa, and in a little while we shall be all together again. I have not words to tell you of my love for you and how my heart yearns to you all
I will call to you in my heart at the last moment.
Your son,
Pat.