Whyte's THE ECLECTIC COLLECTOR TIMED ON-LINE AUCTION 18 APRIL 2026

108 167 [1916] Leaders of the Rising, Pádraig Pearse and Thomas MacDonagh - unpublished handwritten letters (2). A very important autograph manuscript draft letter by P.H. Pearse, appealing for funds and explaining his plans for St. Enda’s, at the end of its first year in existence, dated 29th June 1909.Folio, 4pp., with a covering typed letter signed by Thomas Mc Donagh, 2pp., dated 8th July ‘09, forwarding the letter in Pearse’s absence and adding his own account of Pearse’s financial situation, the prospects for the school, etc. Pearse’s letter is unpublished. He begins by describing the school’s achievements in its first year. ‘Mr (Eoin) Mac Neill said that the school had been a success, not merely on its own grounds, and within its own classrooms, but in the homes of its pupils, and that none knew that fact as well as those who were privileged to send their children to the school. Personally, I do not ask for any higher approbation than this of the founder of the Gaelic League. During the past year we have provided a secondary education, Irish in complexion but embracing the full scope of a College curriculum (the highest class being of University 1st Arts standard) for seventy boys” etc. He goes on to explain that the school receives no grant or subsidy from any quarter, and was precluded from accepting Government aid; the funds needed to purchase and equip the premises at Cullenwood House were provided by himself and a few friends. The letter is clearly a draft, and has many corrections in Pearse’s hand. It is fully signed by him. Mac Donagh’s covering letter is addressed to ‘a Chara Dhil’ (‘dear friend’), a Mr. O’Hanrahan of Kilkenny, with whom he had previously discussed St. Enda’s needs. Mac Donagh had taught in St. Kieran’s College, Kilkenny, prior to moving to Dublin. He explains that Pearse has sent four copies of the enclosed draft letter to four or five friends. ‘(I) send it to you in hopes that you see your way yourself to join our undertaking’’. With a good signature, in Irish, Tomas Mac Donnchadha. Thomas Mac Donagh was associated with the school from the start as lecturer in English, and as Pearse’s trusted deputy. He later became assistant in the English Department at U.C.D., but retained his connection with St. Enda’s. Although Pearse and Mac Donagh were closely associated in all their public activities, documents linking them directly as this one, are very rare. A superb memento of two visionary educationalists and revolutionaries. 13 by 8in. (33 by 20.3cm) Condition: A few edge tears, original ink blots, very good and very legible. Provenance: Mealy’s, 23 April 2016, lot 497; Private collection. Estimate €8,000-€10,000 (approx £6,960-£8,700) Click here for more images and to bid on this lot 167