Remembering the role of Women in the War of Independence
The central role played by women in the Tourmakeady Ambush is a topic we intend to focus more on as this centenary year progresses. A direct descendent of one of the Volunteers central to the ambush highlighted this fact to us stating that, without the bravery and support shown by the women of Derassa, Doire, Srah, Tawnagh, Kildun and Cloonenagh, he would not have been born for his father would not have survived from the injuries he sustained.
Captain Margaret Costello (née Donoghue) Click on image for a Profile
The women below are but a few of the names that played a central part in the Tourmakeady Ambush, before it, during it and in its aftermath.
Captain Margaret Costelloe (nee Donoghue), Drimcoggy
Ellen Lally (nee Kavanagh), Srah
Catherine Heneghan (nee Gibbons), Srah
Bridget Newell (nee Lally), Derrew
Julia O’Malley (nee Joyce), Srah
Catherine Horan, Túr na bhfód
Biddy Costelloe, (nee Heneghan) Srah
Mary Moran, Kildun
Katie Burke (nee O’Brien), Kildun
Christina Maguire (nee Feeney), Ballinrobe
Katie Burke (nee O’Brien) from Kildun
Today, the Irish Government launched a new website called Mná100 where it stated “On this website, you will see the ‘100 Year Journey’ that Irish women have taken, documenting the actions of individuals and the collective actions of groups. Cumann na mBan and Cumann na Saoirse in the 1920s. Mná na Phoblachta, the Blue Blouses, in the 1930s.” The link to the website is here: https://www.mna100.ie/
Ellen Lally (nee Kavanagh) from Srah
Its curator, Dr. Sinéad McCoole gave an excellent interview on RTE Radio today outlining what the objectives are for this project. You can listen to a replay of the interview Dr. McCoole gave here: https://www.rte.ie/radio/radioplayer/html5/#/radio1/21953053
We encourage you all to have a look at this website. We hope to have further announcements relating to a webinar on the role played by Women in the War of Independence in the near future.
Julia O’Malley (nee Joyce) and Kate Geraghty (nee Costello) from Túr na bhFód