The National Museum of Ireland has bought a letter written by Pádraic Pearse just before his execution.
Dated 2 May 1916, the letter is addressed to the then Commanding Officer of British Forces in Ireland, General John Maxwell.
The director of the National Museum, Dr Pat Wallace, said the letter had been bought for the museum by a benefactor who does not want to be named. The selling price has not been disclosed.
The letter asks the commanding officer that his personal effects, including four poems, be handed to his mother or his sister.
He also requested that a five-pound note and two gold sovereigns, taken from him at the GPO, and a watch and whistle taken at Arbour Hill, be handed to his mother or his sister.
The letter was to have been sold at the 'Independence' auction, organised by Adam's and Mealy's Auctioneers, which takes place in Dublin today.
