Today in Irish History: 1916 James Connolly’s wife and daughter visit him in Kilmainham jail where he lies seriously wounded. Daughter Nora wrote later in 'Portrait of a Rebel Father': “On Tuesday I went with mother. There were soldiers on guard at the top of the stairs and in the small alcove leading to Papa’s room. They were fully armed and as they stood guard they had their bayonets fixed. In the room there was an R.A.M.C. officer with him all the time. His wounded leg was resting in a cage. He was weak and pale and his voice was very low. Mother asked was he suffering much pain. “No, but I’ve been court martialled today. They propped me up in bed. The strain was very great.” She knew then that if they had court martialled him while unable to sit up in bed, they would not hesitate to shoot him while he was wounded. Asked how he had got the wound he said: “It was while I had gone out to place some men at a certain point. On my way back I was shot above the ankle by a sniper. Both bones in my leg are shattered. I was too far away for the men I had just placed to see me and was too far from the Post Office to be seen. So I had to crawl till I was seen. The loss of blood was great. They couldn’t get it staunched.” He was very cheerful, talking about plans for the future, giving no sign that sentence had been pronounced an hour before we were admitted. He was very proud of his men. “It was a good clean fight. The cause cannot die now. The fight will put an end to recruiting. Irishmen will now realize the absurdity of fighting for the freedom of another country while their own is enslaved.” This is a very moving interview with Nora Connolly O'Brien, daughter of James Connolly. First broadcast: 30/10/1965 -http://https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KG85FziMdPE PHOTO: The Connolly Family - James, wife Lilly, daughters Mona and Nora.