Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North-West Limerick, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I agree that the role of women in the Easter Rising and the suffrage movement must be properly recognised. Anna Parnell of the Land League has been forgotten and was buried under a different name in England. The movement known as Inghinidhe na hÉireann, which included Maud Gonne, led to the founding of Cumann na mBan as a response to the founding of the Irish Volunteers, which did not include women. Jennie Wyse Power was involved in founding Cumann na mBan but she is now unknown. She was an extraordinary woman, and the Proclamation of the Irish Republic was signed in her shop. She was involved in two previous movements also but has been airbrushed from history. Agnes O'Farrelly, a professor, chaired the first meeting of Cumann na mBan and is also worthy of further consideration. Elizabeth O'Farrell, a nurse, attended the GPO with the Irish Citizen Army and played a critical role in the surrender. She risked her life as she walked to the barricade on Moore Street, approaching the British forces to tell them the provisional government had decided to surrender. She then conveyed the message around the city. There were some extraordinary women of that period, including Molly Childers and Mary Spring Rice, of whom many people do not know.

I was delighted to collaborate with the Women's History Association of Ireland and Dr. Mary McAuliffe, among others, to highlight the critical role played by Cumann na mBan and those women who founded it in April 1914 in Wynn's Hotel. There is now a plaque at Wynn's Hotel recognising the foundation of Cumann na mBan. I hope the role of women will be recognised during the commemorations. Around 2,000 people took part in the 1916 Easter Rising in Dublin, including members of the Irish Republican Brotherhood, IRB, the Irish Volunteers, the Irish Citizen Army and Cumann na mBan. Of the 2,000 who took part, 200 were women, and they did most of the courier work, along with very important medical back-up work. The role of these women was critical but they were not even recognised in some statements made afterwards by their comrades. It was as if their role was not important, which it was. They also played important roles in the War of Independence and the Civil War, in which they were very influential.

It is critical during this decade of cententary commemorations that the role of women is given fair recognition. As long as I have responsibility for the decade of commemorations, I will highlight that fact. I thank the Senator for raising this matter. The major projects will include the GPO and there is a sculpture space there and the money has been committed. I would hope the women who were in the GPO will be represented at the place of sculpture. There is also Richmond Barracks where men and women were taken to before being taken to Kilmainham, and there is Kilmainham Jail itself. I hope they will all be recognised and represented there. The final council of war was held at No. 16 Moore Street. The critical role played by nurse Elizabeth Farrell will have to be recognised. They would be the main centres. There is also Teach an Phiarsaigh in Connemara and the house of Seán Mac Diarmada.

Wherever women had a role that will be recognised in the decade of commemorations. I am sure the Senator will be keeping a watchful eye on it, but I assure her it will be done.