TCD MS 10247/12/47 folio 3
Aug 5th [1914] Wedy.
England declares war with Germany. Latter declined to respect Belgian neutrality & seems determined to fight all round. Continuous rumours are going about of a naval engagement in the North Sea. W[inifred].F[rances].W[ynne]. returned from Scotland minus luggage by 11.18 train. Today all railways are taken over by the Government in England & Scotland & she might have been delayed. Mr Redmond’s declaration of National Volunteers helping to guard Ireland has produced much satisfaction & a great ‘rapprochement’ of all parties in the south. Father called on Father O’Byrne to offer the Salmon Pool Field to Volunteers for drilling in. Father O’ B. much pleased he said the way Unionists had responded to the Nationalist declaration was a great thing, they had received it with such unanimous appreciation & understanding. Eagar reported prices up higher still, some poor women in the village for the wild fowl market, had to go away without their shopping being unable to afford to buy. Evening. Willie Eagar returning from work in Arklow reports great excitement over 2 Germans captured there (probably completely innocent individuals!) & that 2 war ships were guarding Kynoch. Johnson said he would have to shut up tomorrow or the day after being completely sold out & prices in Arklow said to be enormous. A sack of 2 lbs flour ordered by us on Satdy said to cost 6.7 now is charged 9s/4d