Identity area
Reference code
Title
Date(s)
- 1878-1948 (Creation)
Level of description
Extent and medium
4pp
Context area
Archival history
Transcript excerpted from Devoy et al. (1948) Devoy's Post Bag, 1871-1928. Dublin: C. J. Fallon, pp. 375-377.
Immediate source of acquisition or transfer
Content and structure area
Scope and content
Photocopy of a letter written by William G. Bourke in Oyster Bay, New York to John Devoy in 1878, and which appears in Devoy's Post Bag, Vol. 1. William G. Bourke introduces himself to John Devoy, having read in the paper of the demise of the Fenian Brotherhood. He relates how he (with others) had been moved by published writings of [Jeremiah O'Donovan] Rossa to support the Fenians. However, subsequent intra-nationalist rivalry turned Bourke's colleagues against involvement and he finds himself ostracised due to his continued allegiance to the leadership, resulting in loss of his money and time. He wishes for Devoy to advise him of what is actually going on so that he could remain at least as a junior member of the organisation. [John Devoy was living in New York at this time and had just successfully engineered Clan na Gael replacing (for all practical purposes) the Fenian Brotherhood as the spokesman of Irish-American nationalism — though not without opposition].