Commisioner letter - Eoin O Duffy

--- Page 1 --- to take part in the pilgrimage should signify their desire to this Sergeant to the District Officer , who in turn will forward the list for the District to the Chief Superintendent for the Division . The because of the sacrifices " those members made , and the numbers in service for the period . In the latter case some working arrangement Home Pilgrimage should any of those members desire to be included be in excess of those who could reasonably be spared from the Pilgrimage will be twelve days ( which must be counted for all for the arrangements for a Pilarimage of this native must be made Returns to assure a successful Pilerimage and a representation District and Divisional officers in sending on the Lists will exinning of October . is the most suitable period as regards the will be considered a Division for the purposes of this Circular . concerned , and that at the moment my only idea is to ascertain what decision preference would be given to those who formed part of the uch a Pilerimage might be organised - to travel at the time It is possible there will not be sufficient numbers of the At the outset , however . I wish to make it abundantly clear include their own names if they desire to take part but not other- say that it is necessary to have an early decision on the matter are the feelings of the members of the Garda on the question . ranks against Annual leave ) , and that the cost will not exceed itations . and forward this to headquarters , retaining the District should have a special pilgrimage , composed exclusively of members ( It has frequently been suggested to me . and more especially Returns should , therefore , be furnished without unnecessary delay Returns in his Office . It appears to be generally regarded by those who have matters . I think it well to mention that the duration of the Now that the subject has been opened up . It only remains to receint of this . The matter should be considered and those who wish I am accompanalty issuing this circular latter in such numbers considered and a decision arrived at . The Depot and Headquarters mentirely in the hands of the Force so far as the project is suggested in the present year . matter so much inadequate accommodation en route and at Lourdes . The As a guide for those who may not be familiar with such the Force , to the Grotto of Our Lady at Lourdes . that membership of the pilgrimage is absolutely voluntary , that will be arrived at , but I should like to say that in making a fine a long way in advance , to ensure smooth working of the details in umerous , that the end of September , or perhaps even better , the sixteen mineas . say within a month from date hereof . experience of such Pilerimages from this country , and they have which they turned out on that occasion . which they turned out on that occasion . wise . On receipt of the Returns here the matter will be ' further thy of the Force , but it is also possible that the numbers names , etc . from each Station being submitted by the ons , and with this in view . I am of opinion that sergeant to the District Officer , who in turn will forward the list numerous , that the end of September , or perhaps even better , the a long way in advance , to ensure smooth working of the details which " the names , etc.I-from each situation being submitted by that old a copy-tu"bo sent to each Officer and Station , and on by within a month from date hereof . make cut a consolidated Return for his Division , by since our recent pilgrimage to Rome , that we of the latter will make out a consolidated Return for h of the Returns here the matter will be further as will " enable a copy to be sent to each Officer that it is necessary to have an early occasion in 24adh Eanair , 1930 . BAILE ATHA CLATH . mifig an choimistneara , choimis ineara , baile . --- Page 2 --- prations on this point are invited # the names are being submitted multi . that uniform will not be taken and that there will be no vousary From this it will be seen that the arrangements for the conven- grade hotels , but such an economic would , to my mind , be clearly purchase and would not , in amount , compensate for the sacrifices which it would This programme includes : Pilgrimage will be proceeded with . Ion could be effected by travelling at night . " reducing the No. of who intend to participate . and should there he any general desire on on this point will be taken as an indication that the programme girl ward and return . The boats to be declassed . i.e. pilgrims to remain there overnight . to travelling by night , either rail or boat . The figure quoted ( sixteen cuineas ) would be reduced in 1956 . an alternative estimate will be procured . The absence of any remarks rerein is approved . It is to be noted that passionate will not be evening . If the trip to Biarritz were not included , and a further reduct- Special Beats . Ireland to England and England to France out- Wednesday boat at Dun Laoghaire at 7 p.m. and the terms are inclusive of all expenses - cars , gratuities , etc. same evening and stay for night . comisine . ments of the promised pilgrimage . I am entirely in the hands of the ( a ) Special trains , with restaurant cars , on English and 11th Oct. Spend day in Paris and remain for night ... have unrestricted access to all parts of the boats Leave Paris for Lurdes arriving there same Pilgrimage days at Louries . First Class Hotels - London , Paris , and L'urdes , Saturday , Then the Returns have been received a general notification will be issued to the Force . giving numbers and stating whether or not the EOIN Ua DUBHTHAIGH the night . sunday . continental lines . Thursday . The details are as follows : - irrive . London same evening and stay for night Leave Lourdes for Paris staying there for Sunday , 12th Oct. Leave Paris ( after Mass ) for London and 13th Oct. London to Dublin and arrive by special Saturday , Leave London for Paris about 9 a.m. , arrive 20 Friday , 3rd Oct. Monday . Thursday , Lourdes at night . Tuesday required by the members of the Pilerimage , that the men will try involve . 6th Oct. ) . Friday . ies of a civic character during the period . Louedes to Biarritz for the day returning to 7th 10th Oct. Monday . Leave Dublin ( Dun Laophaire ) by morning boat , " This is , however , merely an opinion and in this , as in other 9th Oct. 4th Act . 5 . 8 . 4 . ence and comfort of the pilgrims are on unusually generous 2nd Act . Lourdes at lays absent , with less satisfactory provisions for meals , and I 10 . 7 . sued to the effort : circumstances and stations , notification will 6 . 8th . 5th Oct. Bourdes 12 . Monday , their part for an itinerary on a lowest grade than that until 11 . 5th Oct. ( b ) . Lourdes . 9 . Friday , each if the trio to Bianritz were not included , and a fur The detail 12 . 4 . ( a ) . night . # In next an itinerary on a lower grade than that outlined 9 . Friday , 4191214