Cumann na mBan

As many of their relatives, husbands, friends, and fellow members of the rebellion have been taken to jails such as Kilmainham, or as pictured Mountjoy, there are prayers being said for those still in captivity as well as those who have been executed. On this day in particular, the members of Cumann na mBan present are saying the rosary for Thomas Traynor, a member of the IRA who fought in the War of Independence, who was executed that very same day. 

During the forming of the Ulster Volunteers, a militant group dedicated to staying loyal to Great Britain and rallying against Home Rule, women were not allowed to sign on to the 'Solemn League Covenant' against Home Rule. However, 234,000 women signed a "Women's Declaration" pledging their devotion and loyalty to their men and to Great Britain. This movement did not go unnoticed by Republican nationalists. The response of southern Ireland was the forming of Irish Volunteers as well as the Daughters of Ireland, who had both formed in 1900. Countess Constance Markievicz formed Cumann na mBan on April 2nd, 1914 as a women's organization linked to the Irish Volunteers. In May, Cumann na mBan merged with Inghinidhe na h-Éireann, but Inghinidhe na h-Éireann always remained a separate branch of Cumann na mBan. 

Cumann na mBan and its intelligent, devoted members did not sit idly by. These women travelled the Irish countryside as well as its cities attending meetings, making speeches, and participating in militaristic drills and training exercises. The women of Cumann na mBan were changing what was acceptable as roles for women during the early 20th century, and they were doing a really great job at it. While some women in the organization still were working strongly toward the goal of women's rights, especially the right to vote, it was the Volunteers and the freedom of Ireland that became their primary aims. 

Countess Constance Markievicz was the most famous founding member of this organization, Cumann na mBan. Skilled in arms, equestrian, and the arts, Markievicz was well-rounded and from wealthy descent. After an unsuccessful marriage Markievicz became increasingly involved and interested in nationalism as well as politics. She quickly made her way into many organizations and into high ranking positions. She was a member of Inghinidhe na Eireann come 1907, then founded na Fianna with Bulmer Hobson in 1909, worked in soup kitchens and joined the Irish Citizen Army during the Lock Out of 1913, founded Cumann na mBan in 1914, and was second in command to James Connolly at St. Stephen's Green in the Easter Rising of 1916. While she was in and out of prison from 1916-1918 she was re-elected Cumann na mBan president, became the first woman in the House of Commons, and elected Minister of the Labour Party for the First Dail. She continued to hold positions in government until her death in 1927. She was pretty good at what she did and you might say she was pretty important to the republican cause. 

Among the photos above is a digitalized image a poster that had been used by Cumann na mBan to promote Irish nationalism. Many of the Cumann na mBan posters include a white lily, almost as if it was a signature. Much of the symbolism for women and Irish women in politics during this time was taking on the primary tradition of Irish women, the Irish mother. Nurturing and caring, she suffers as she sacrifices her sons, husbands, brothers, and lovers to the good of the county. A lily is a funeral flower, one that is used and known by mourners and suffers, predominantly seen with the women of Ireland.