The role of Cumann na mBan in the 1916 Easter Rising

Elizabeth O’Farrell was born in Dublin in November 1883. In 1906 she joined Inghinidhe na hÉireann and along with her lifelong friend Julia Grenan she also joined Cumann na mBan.

They were taught first aid by Dr Kathleen Lynch and were trained in the use of arms and ammunition by Countess Constance Markievicz. As plans were put in place for the rebellion in Dublin in Easter 1916, Elizabeth and Julia were both involved in the preparations and were sent around the country as couriers by the Military Council delivering important documents and information. Both women also joined the Irish Citizen Army on the request of James Connolly. “We saw no objection to this” Julia related, “because the Volunteers weren’t taking any notice of us, didn’t care whether we were there or not”. Image of Patrick Pearse.