Sir, - Before leaving Ireland for the United States in 1879, de Valera's mother, as a young woman, worked at Glenwilliam Castle, Ballingarry, Co Limerick, the home of the Atkinson family. On several occasions later, he sought and got help from the Atkinsons. They contributed towards his education, and although politically poles apart from the young de Valera, gave him assistance on his first occasion of standing for election in Clare.
The best known member of the Atkinson family was Lord John Atkinson, who was Attorney General for Ireland from 1895 till 1905 and a member of Parliament. There is good reason to believe that he used his good offices to have the young man from Bruree reprieved of his death sentence. Two generations on, the descendants of the Atkinsons at Glenwilliam were more than a little miffed when their property was daubed with "Brits Out" slogans. - Yours, etc.,
Killiney,
Co Dublin.