Sir, – In Anthony Jordan's An Irishman's Diary (April 20th) he stated that while Arthur Griffith was in London for the Treaty negotiations in late 1921 both he and his wife, Maud, attended a performance of The Beggar's Opera.
My grand-aunt Johanna Collins, a sister of Michael Collins, also attended the same opera at the Lyric Theatre, Hammersmith, on October 27th, 1921. Johanna Collins kept her programme carefully as it carries the signatures of Arthur Griffith, JD Duggan, Michael Collins, Kitty Kiernan and May Duggan. Johanna attached a note to the programme which reads: "On that occasion Michael, A Griffith and the other signatories dined with me and M Hopkins at 5 Netherwood Road, London before going to a performance of The Beggar's Opera at the Lyric Theatre Hammersmith".
The Collins-Powell family intends donating this programme and other Collins memorabilia to the new museum at Cathal Brugha Barracks. Meanwhile, these papers will be kept with the Collins papers in the Military Archives, Cathal Brugha Barracks, Rathmines, Dublin 6. – Yours, etc,
MARY CLARE
COLLINS-POWELL,
Portmarnock,
Co Dublin.