Galleries

Forgotten Revolutionaries: Cumann na mBan

The women of Cumann na mBan played a key part in securing Irish freedom, but their role is often overlooked
  • Members of Cumann na mBan prepare to march to Wolfe Tone's grave, for a commemoration at Bodenstown, Kildare 1921 (Pic: RTÉ Stills Library)

    Members of Cumann na mBan prepare to march to Wolfe Tone's grave, for a commemoration at Bodenstown, Kildare 1921 (Pic: RTÉ Stills Library)

  • Constance Markiewicz lays a wreath at the grave of Wolfe Tone (Pic: RTÉ Stills Library)

    Constance Markiewicz lays a wreath at the grave of Wolfe Tone (Pic: RTÉ Stills Library)

  • Cumann na mBan member Elizabeth O'Farrell stood beside Padraig Pearse as he surrendered to John Lowe and Brigadier-General William Lowe. Only her feet are visible (Pic: RTÉ Stills Library)

    Cumann na mBan member Elizabeth O'Farrell stood beside Padraig Pearse as he surrendered to John Lowe and Brigadier-General William Lowe. Only her feet are visible (Pic: RTÉ Stills Library)

  • Two uniformed Cumann na mBan members stand guard over the body of Cathal Brugha (Pic: RTÉ Stills Library)

    Two uniformed Cumann na mBan members stand guard over the body of Cathal Brugha (Pic: RTÉ Stills Library)

  • An unknown woman and Cumann members Maud Gonne MacBride, Mary MacSwiney and Charlotte Despard protesting outside Mountjoy (Pic: RTÉ Stills Library)

    An unknown woman and Cumann members Maud Gonne MacBride, Mary MacSwiney and Charlotte Despard protesting outside Mountjoy (Pic: RTÉ Stills Library)

  • Mary MacSwiney marches between Pierce O'Mahony, John Joseph Kelly and Brian O'Higgins at the funeral of Cathal Brugha (Pic: RTÉ Stills Library)

    Mary MacSwiney marches between Pierce O'Mahony, John Joseph Kelly and Brian O'Higgins at the funeral of Cathal Brugha (Pic: RTÉ Stills Library)

  • Cumann member Mary CG Maguire, the wife of Padraic Colum, from the Padraic Colum Exhibition at the Royal Irish Academy (RTÉ Stills Library)

    Cumann member Mary CG Maguire, the wife of Padraic Colum, from the Padraic Colum Exhibition at the Royal Irish Academy (RTÉ Stills Library)

  • Michael Mallin (centre) and Countess Markievicz (second from right) surrender after the Easter Rising (RTÉ Stills Library)

    Michael Mallin (centre) and Countess Markievicz (second from right) surrender after the Easter Rising (RTÉ Stills Library)

  • Máire Comerford took the anti-treaty side during the Civil War and was imprisoned in Mountjoy by the Free State forces (Pic: RTÉ Stills Library)

    Máire Comerford took the anti-treaty side during the Civil War and was imprisoned in Mountjoy by the Free State forces (Pic: RTÉ Stills Library)

  • Cathal Brugha's funeral. Cumann na mBan women hold hands for crowd control. Caitlin Brugha and Muriel MacSwiney are pictured in the centre. Mary MacSwiney is on the far right (Pic: RTÉ Stills Library)

    Cathal Brugha's funeral. Cumann na mBan women hold hands for crowd control. Caitlin Brugha and Muriel MacSwiney are pictured in the centre. Mary MacSwiney is on the far right (Pic: RTÉ Stills Library)