Irish nationalist Maud Gonne founded the organisation Inghinidhe na hÉireann in 1900, in the rooms of the Celtic Literary Society, at 42 Great Brunswick St, (Now Pearse St.) Dublin 2. 

In this excerpt Maud Gonne talks about the origins and aims of the first women’s organisation for national independence, their inaugural campaigns, and rapid growth into a dynamic organisation with branches and support all over the country.

Towards the end of this audio clip, Maud Gonne refers to a building on Harcourt Street, where Inghinidhe na hÉireann had its office. The same building also housed the offices of Sinn Fein, and over the years No. 6 Harcourt Street was frequented by many prominent women activists, including Meath woman Kathleen McKenna, who worked there as a typist in the Sinn Féin press bureau in 1919. 

The voice recording of Maud Gonne reflecting on her experiences in this extract was made in 1949, and is used here with the kind permission of the Bureau of Military History. The original recording can be accessed at the following link:
https://www.militaryarchives.ie/collections/online-collections/bureau-of-military-history-1913-1921/voice-recordings/

Photographs: Kelly McErlean
Soundscape: Claire Fitch
Words: Martina Murray

Maud Gonne - 42 Pearse St

39 O'Connell Street, was where the Ladies Land League Offices were in 1881. 

Text Extract from Parnell, Anna. The Tale Of A Great Sham. Arlen Press. 1986

Voice Recording Esther Doorly
Soundscape Claire Fitch

Anna Parnell - 39 O'Connell Street

Jennie Wyse Power -35 Abbey Street Lower 

On April 2nd, 1914, Cumann na mBan was formed at Wynn’s Hotel, Abbey Street Lower, Dublin 1.  

In this extract, Jennie Wyse Power writes about meeting Anna Parnell at the offices of the Ladies Land League, and her experience of being a central figure in the formation of Cumann na mBan. 

The voice recording of Jennie Wyse Power reflecting on her experiences is taken from the appendix of a Witness Statement provided by her daughter Nancy Wyse Power, for the Bureau of Military History. Information on the foundation of Cumann na mBan can be accessed online: https://www.militaryarchives.ie/digital-resources/online-exhibitions/cumann-na-mban
 
Nancy Wyse Power’s Witness Statement is used with the kind permission of the Bureau of Military History and be accessed at the following link: https://www.militaryarchives.ie/collections/online-collections/bureau-of-military-history-1913-1921/reels/bmh/BMH.WS0541.pdf


Image: Kelly McErlean
Soundscape: Claire Fitch
Voice: Elizabeth Hilliard
Words: Martina Murray

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