Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation Commemorative Publication March 2016

Copyright Nurses and Image Midwives 1916in the 1916 Easter Rising

Copyright Image

Image credits: O’Connell Bridge (Kelly’s Corner, D.B.C. & Eden Quay) and Portico of General Post Office. Both pictures by TJ Westropp, May 17, 1916 By permission of the Royal Irish Academy © RIA

Pull Out WIN Vol 24 No 2 March 2016 na Cásca 1916 in Éiríamach Mná Cabhrach Altraí agus of matron and asked if the position England to fill the nursein trained (I wives Organisation icz’s letter point up the hostility to further. Minister did not pursue the matter any the advertisement and it seems that the no objectiontohad Hence, the Union the deportation and imprisonment ofand the deportation leadersexecution ofthe of the ing against upris yearwitnessed the that Easter failed 1916, theplace five yearsin took earlier T at thetime.Ireland in rule thatexisted was alarger range of training hospitals. whereEngland, theremerelyin trained governors sought anIrishnurse who had could shedany light on the matter. Ho governorsMeathgested that the of the information shehadreceived which sug Markievicz to the present day Irish the Irish C in the newDáilÉireann, the republican, In Oct place in Dublin at Easter 1916 in the events midwivesthat took the role played by nurses and Mark Loughrey examines 1916 Markievicz andindicated repliedmade enquiries,the toUnion ing hat ountess Markievicz, ountess Markievicz, T spital, Dublin, were advertising for a he sentiments hostility increasedwith events thathostility o b N e r was seemingly concerned at ur B 1921, the Minister for Labour ritish rule. ses’ Union, the precursor expressed inMarkiev N wrote aletter to N T MO). that he subsequent ur N ses and Mid ur the Meath ses’ Union R C ising ountess B 1 Hav- ritish and - - - - 2

by taking partinaremembrance proces I the 80 yearsafter some women some ofthese lishment of the Irish Free State. dered outrage among the Irishpublic. engen part, rebelswho took many ofthe their lives in it. lostin theconflictor partook wounded, midwives,who tendedtothe and nurses the many hospitalstaff, particularly the overlooked. Among thoseoverlookedare the events of Easter week 1916have been enquiry, many others who played arole in have been the subject of muchhistorical rise of led to the Warment Independence, the of resultant heightening of nationalist senti against was intent on holding an armed uprising unteers, the Irish B sioned with Ireland’s statusaspart of the Volunteers, becameincreasingly disillu sion through Dublin in 1935. 1914, a aged amore independent Ireland. In who envisplacate those insufficient to receive amodicum of independence, was ritish Empir While the T Home hi N s article aims to shine a light on MO Sinn dissident gr B R ritish ruleand ule, under first commemorated theevent Féin and, ultimately,Féinand, the estab e. A sub-group within the vol- R ising R epublican ’sprotagonists central oup knownas the Irish which Ireland would other national 3 B

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A 2,614further were wounded. 16 policemen;64rebels; and254 civilians. Easter became inevitable. the rebels aftersix days of bloody conflict soldiers arrived inDublinandsurrender by the conflict progressed, more andmore Post Office among themthe Generalimportance, gic strate sites of number of a took control of Dublin, proclaimed anIrish as itapproached to aid gether –andaboat carrying German arms insurr regardingproposedsages date thefor the awry. Volunteers received mixed mes public park and the Four April 24, 1916, these rebels agreedMonday, to co-operate.Easter On the women’s auxiliary, total. nounced dead on arrival and43 died in Infirmary,Street, Jervis strain onthecity’ Of the 700 peopleseenat the ist groups, the Irish Some 450people were killed during the Fr T Located beside the rebel-occupied he casualty toll placed an enormousplaced he casualtytoll om the outset, the rebels’ plans wentplans rebels’ the om theoutset, 7 ection –some

R the r ising: 116member ge ebel assault was intercepted (GPO), St Stephen’sSt (GPO), Green T ralee s hospitals and staff.and hospitals s were stood down alto Image by TJ Westropp, General Post Office, C itiz C C B umann nam flag staffatcorner, May 17[1916]. s of the military; ourts. ay 6 ens’ Army and 38 were pro , 4 R gathered in C epublic and Royal Irish Academy ©RIA 5 o Kerry C haritable By permission of the permission By B . As an, - - - -

WIN Vol 24 No 2 March 2016 - - Mater e scarce ande scarce 27 ational N offins wer offins C

25 Courtesy of Kilmainham Gaol Museum 26 y day [the ambulances] ran the the ambulances] ran [the day y oss flag in order that it be spared that it be spared order flag in oss r Intent on avoiding the risk of injury injury of risk the avoiding on Intent C 24 For some staff who ventured beyond beyond ventured who some staff For Due to the closure of funeral funeral of homes, Due to the closure many ed some of those who died were merely those of some died who were sewnmerely interment.to prior sheets into ply. their hospital walls, danger was ever pres of the dead were buried where they fell of the dead fell – they were buried where including in gardens. from nearby gunfire, the gunfire, nearby from a displayed Street, nity Hospital, Holles R hostilities. the bullet-sweptof gauntlet streets, frequently struck by whilst on their shots journeys on journey a single we cannot recall … wewhich did not get a bullet through somewhere”. ent and ambulance personnel recounted: recounted: ent and ambulance personnel b “Day 1916 Proclamation, given to Kathleen Clarke (Ref: 17NO-1A66-01) (Ref: Kathleen to Clarke given 1916 Proclamation, - - - y y it C Here, Here, al al ying-in ying-in 20 oy he intense R onetheless, onetheless, T

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23 ge otunda L R ‘terrible rebellion’ ‘terrible rebellion’ got Street. got

22 ag B South Dublin Union, now Union, now South Dublin

persisted with their vital func vital with their persisted 19 mattresses, which they used as as used they which mattresses, ma interruptions interruptions electricity in the sup Copyright Copyright I e to Across the city at the Across Patients, Patients, and those who tended amsden, described the Hospital, the lady superintendent, Miss Miss superintendent, lady the Hospital, 7 and Ward entered two bullets which in necessitated the evacuation of patients to the of the rear institution. R stray bullets entered the operating theatre theatre the operating stray bullets entered and the dining nurses’ room. to them, were not entirely safe to them, were safe not entirely than 200 More hospitals. the inside the at treated wounded were Hospital, Dublin of makeshift barricades. makeshift staff there staff there tion of maternity care, albeit in darkness du limb amputation was reportedly was reportedly limb amputation underway. pital, forced patients to take cover cover behind patients to take forced pital, beds and the site of the Hos James’s modern day St combat at the combat at

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C Infirmary, Jervis Jervis Infirmary, 17 Yet the number of Yet 18 also resulted in the also resulted in the Dr Steevens’ Hos Steevens’ Dr 12 eet). Dublin’s Dublin’s ovised hospitals were were hospitals ovised oyal oyal 9 e illuminated only by e only illuminated by R St Stephen’s Green and Green and St Stephen’s ing. A number of doctors A doctors of number ing. the conflict.the is haritable R of impr be boiled for the purpose, the for boiled be C cases with gunshot wounds, onnell Str endered sterilisation of oper of sterilisation endered iscuit Factory, the Adelaide Hos Adelaide the iscuit Factory,

C B 10 attended to 100 injured and a and a to 100 injured attended he he nun the said electricity of lack 40 not ses in training to become Jubilee ses to in training Jubilee become was also at the centre of events. was also events. of at the centre T 13 8 ating theatr e, five people were brought in dead dead in brought were people five e, cy-missions’ became a ur he casualty toll erstretched. In an effort to relieve the the In to erstretched. an effort relieve N T Many of the Many wounded were not phys A nursing nun from Dublin’s Mater Mater Dublin’s from nun A nursing A depot used to store medical supplies medical supplies to store depot used A ational Maternity Hospital, Holles ational Maternity eing close to v her and gas r and Lady Dudley nurses, precursors to to precursors nurses, Dudley Lady and also provided public health nurses, today’s on the street. first-aid N Street, being converted into a tempo into a converted being Street, ically able to make it to hospital and to hospital and it to make able ically ‘mer pital pital Hospital gave a vivid account of the the of vivid account a Hospital gave of that events Easter week, recounting in the absence of electricity the sur the embattled the B 12 of whom died. hospitals and mercy missions were insuf were missions mercy and hospitals ficient to cope with the workload and ficient to cope with the workload and a number further 130 cases of gunshot wounds further 130 cases of gunshot wounds Hospital. at Mercer’s treated were ria Eye and Ear Hospital also found itself itself found Ear Hospital also and ria Eye o established, including in private houses. private in including established, into transformed was Square at Merrion hours; three just in hospital temporary a 5pm commenced at 2pm and by work some 15 patients had been admitted and a ture of the the of ture risty. risty. water as impossible instruments ating could yet she recounted that no patients that no patients she recounted yet infections. post-operative to succumbed candles sourced in the hospital’s sac the hospital’s in candles sourced burden on burden surrounding institutions, that empty 30 its offered matron hospital’s beds to the wounded. Some 50 injured whom had of some soon arrived, soldiers neighbouring in accommodated be to homes. Jacob’s Jacob’s T of four wounded, in brought were and 70 whom later died. rary emergency department and treating department emergency rary and treating some geon on duty worked day geon on duty worked and night, his oper geons, Mercer’s was the scene of 20 20 of scene the was Mercer’s geons, deaths during Street, converted a grocer’s van into an into an van grocer’s a converted Street, to aid first ambulance and administered the on wounded Sackville Street nearby O’ (now from the from ge ma Copyright Copyright I WIN Vol 24 No 2 March 2016 tal, tion. injuredthe fromstreetinstitu the to the stretchersas whichwith to carry bed quilts ing a balcony at the the hospitaland anumber mond’ tution’swerepatients transferred to neutrality. hospital’srespectrequested the thatthey dissuaded from doing soby a doctor who in the conflict. left part to takethey accommodation and prayed for them as providednuns who them with foodand ‘enthusiastic reception’ from the resident rebel outpost after volunteers received an the in Education and Events utilising the buildingasastate of the art 1916 purchased the former featured in the In 2013 conflict. the I The Richmond ‘the aprons‘the of slaughterhouse workers’. their uniforms reportedly soon resembled referencebrutality oftheconflict, tothe a vividin but, wounded in tendingtothe ‘complete disregard safety’for theirown to a bed. home, onthe floor,and evensofas two on to accommodatepatientsinitsnurses’ intense fighting. of sites nearby Sir Patrick Dun’s Hospital especially Mount Street in bedlamat Sir P events that it witnessed duringthe it events that gates belies the dramatic andpoignant serenity that liesbeyond the g. St John’sg. T B T N At one point, rebels considered point, occupyAt one he sheernumber of casualties resulted he 300 uildings now N orthumberland R 29 ichmond, orth e, doctors and nurses exhibited and e, doctors T s catchment area overwhelmeds catchment her I Copyright 31

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runswick ma or so casualties in the C was usedasa temporary onv owned by the I atrick Dun’s, which had R ent, located besidelocated ent, Street with a view to oad andits en R ichmond C R ent ichmond Hospi B N ridge, ur re. ge of ses fromthe R T ichmond’ N the insti oda but were were the MO also 28 virons, 32 y, the N R used

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civilian theof One and volunteers. soldiers ians, Siding with the rebels with the Siding turally impressive building. were pronounced dead on arrival at thearrival pronounced were deadon accommodate the injured. Fifteen people space toin order Dublin toup Union free outl R pioned fresh airandlight. nod to Florencenod to and airy with a window for each bed – a in o nursedwereso, they onthe floor and, ble the large windows left patients vulnera featur scarecrow character of a man”. protruded through his uniform, making a on him.Pieces of hisundergarments, wool, very dead. They hadplayed a machine-gun little volunteer. Ilooked at him.He was Tommie forget besidehim. I’llnever that a deadLane, Moore corner of at the lying pomegranate. wasA volunteer a like open wall with a hishead white bundle; was slit bullets. Dublin. plans foundsomehow,way toits their an extensiontothe as 1897 permitted staff to signal to rebels thesignal to staff to permitted hospital but he died en route. R refuge of Father Mathew Hall–near the his mother wheeled himinhispram to the two-year-old boy was shotin the headas that attended the loss of life. the actualsuffering and circumstances wounded and number of dead were lying around: civil around: lying number ofdead were illuminating. One manrecounted: “A ichmond. ichmond. T T he testimon he rder to avoid being wounded by stray ying , the story goes that it was designedit goes that story , the e had two consequences. Firstly,had twoconsequences. e R 39 37 casualties ichmond hospital’s wards werelarge Secondly, hospital’sthe vantage T facilities in the nearby Eden Quay, May 17[1916]. of the permission By he 34 A priest took the boy tothepriest took the A Image by TJ Westropp, Kelly’s Corner, DBC&

R dead, belie while staggering, eferencesscores of tothe y of eye-witnesses is also is y of eye-witnesses N Hospital is an architec was squatting against awas ig htingalewho cham Royal Irish Academy ©RIA T aj Mahal aj C 38 onstructed in 35

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b permitting themtoevadecapturedresses mortuary to the str mortuary tothe cured the key leading from the hospital’s those tion colluded with the rebels by sending again inaccounts itly assistedrebels are repeated time and day in the week to look at them”look . to in the week day every rebellion a therethink would was “you him evade capture. he hadbeen discharged in order to help searching for one rebel, asurgeon lied that the volunteers. Indeed, when police came suggests that concealed by wardrobes and bed screens. emerging inaholeat the hospital that was terminated at the andreportswent further thatthetunnel needed to. if they their escape goodmakethrough which theycould the GPO bored a tunnel to Henry Street, further still. rebel to surreptitiouslyled the freedom. staff, ure which seemingly irritated the hospital close observation by a detective, ameas U at the GPO.wounds bullet cumbed to suc he after a consignmentofcabbage rebel was smuggled to that institution in nun at the MaterHospitalrecalled that a the letin orderinvestigator to forming’ the a mother. nuns at the hospital. their ate in a bed in the sick-nuns’ ward. Here C the suddenincr ingly notin on the ruse, was perplexed by positions of approaching soldiers. requests by investigating authorities by ignoring voluntary hospitalsreportedly frustrated of gunshot wounds tothem, gunshot of pr lets only to discover a baby in his arms, awoke afteran operation to remove bul reportedlyvolunteerevidence. One the – effectivelyinstitution destroyingat the rebels’ boots and uniforms on their arrival the rebels is a matter of conjecture. with sided hospitals which these extent to the pantryhaving dinner, anurse pro y haritable p esumabl It was said of the staffat the hospital: A short distance away the staffat the Furthermore, nurses reputedly burned Ultimately,inwhile thedetectivewas It is suggested that staff at that institu Suggestions that hospital staff tac hospital Suggestions that visiting detectives. One doctor,seem on his arrival, he was placed under v olunteer make his escape. f some of whom considered ‘chlorowhom consideredsome of aces were concealed innuns’head who 45 y inan effort to passhim off as

were badly injured to recuper Infirmary,wentStreet, Jervis B ritish the hospital staff sided with T ease in he r of 41 C forces to report cases ebels who occupied

44 ha eet and quickly andand quickly eet the

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61 ritish soldier had epublican cause? epublican – not also have – not also have 60 B – and the surprise the surprise – and R 62 63 ritish arm

B 59 ell, just months earlier, earlier, ell, just months ising assert av R C se in uniform. adopted a similar line: line: similar a adopted Phoblacht during World War I. Yet, would would Yet, War I. during World ommander of the tish authorities were well aware of of aware well were authorities tish C An ri B he A Volunteer fell wounded outside [the] outside [the] wounded fell Volunteer A the Easter T In 2015 it was suggested that Kehoe’s that Kehoe’s was suggested In 2015 it In 1932, a piece in the republican news republican the in piece a 1932, In “ e elgium by his own admission, described soldiers described soldiers own admission, his by ease edgy and ill at as shot a nur shooting amounted to ‘cold-blooded ‘cold-blooded to amounted shooting had been the nurse that and murder’ of fear ‘airbrushed’ from it history for that a becoming known paper rankled and injured the injured and rankled hospital door. Immediately a nurse rushed a nurse rushed Immediately door. hospital as she Just man. the fallen attend to out could reach she and ere door the reached wounded– wounded man she herself fell the [sic] British bullets… by down Keogh struck which could be plainly was in full uniform visible to the A true British… Irishwoman she was”. certainly of authorities were to trying of guilty ‘cov certain atrocities. er-up’ the galvanising effect that the shooting the that the shooting effect galvanising all after – exert could nurse a of for German authorities by executed was from Allied aiding of escape soldiers the in B in even a rebel, by of a nurse the killing by mentioned is that possibility a – error one historian at least th caused and martyr-status assumed had (and sentiment anti-German in surge a the to enlistment attack made by volunteers on the soldiers the soldiers on volunteers attack made by it is asserted, shot who subsequently, nurse Edith nurse

- - - - se se heir ur T With With N When When 53 54 aulfield, C y remarked y remarked ge fired on her and on her and fired foregoes explic foregoes hey

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that she hoped there would be would be there that she hoped 57 56 Elizabeth O’Farrell and her grave at Glasnevin Cemetery Image courtesy of Kilmainham and her grave and Glasnevin Cemetery Museum Elizabeth O’Farrell ma C 58 er private” only to die “in agony” to die private” only “in agony” e are many accounts of accounts many e are Copyright Copyright I s death to one any Moly party, her se’ T Although Following Kehoe’s death, rebel leader leader death, rebel Kehoe’s Following Similarly, the injured rebel to whom the to whom injured rebel Similarly, ritish Kehoe’s death. According to According death. Kehoe’s the nurse was thankful at a brief cessa brief a at thankful was nurse the she reached the bottom of the stairs she she the stairs of bottom the she reached was which her body dead – after was shot asked who soldiers by table a on placed Sinn any there “Are colleague: grieving her upstairs?” Feiners that the nurse had “died for Ireland just just Ireland for had “died the nurse that Volunteer the worn had she if as surely as uniform”. Eamonn Kehoe is often cited Kehoe as en being to route that attend, testified Union soldiers at the shots he and surprise” by by “taken were their and “lost fired had another rebel in a moment “because a nurse for heads” full opened the door uniform and came the stairs. down her”. killed B thereafter. neux and Kelly are less circumspect. circumspect. less are neux and Kelly a “terrified was shot by do so she to case account notes that Kehoe assumed that that assumed that Kehoe account notes a momentary lull in hostilities signified a which ceasefire, permitted to her to tend As the wounded. she descended the stair ‘no bloodshed’ at the institution. ‘no bloodshed’ at tion in the conflict and remarked to a to a remarked and conflict the in tion co-work that, she heard gunshots – “the patients, gunshots – “the that, patients, she heard downstairs ran and cried the patients” she advice. colleague’s against her itly attributing responsibility for the the for attributing responsibility itly nur

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ommander ommander s. 50 ei C to have ‘grown ‘grown to have B over the years. the over ising R e accurate or have been been or have e accurate ma Copyright Copyright I embellished tish Forces in Ireland, issued a a issued Ireland, in Forces tish ri in case of extreme a presenteeism, B cost her own”, said colleague. a cost own”, her y matron recalled events at the Union Union the at events recalled matron Union became the site of intense gun- the site Union became se Kehoe lost her life. life. her lost Kehoe se Nurse Margaret Kehoe. Image courtesy Bateson of Ray Kehoe. Margaret Nurse ting that the hospital’s nurses’ home home nurses’ hospital’s the that ting e South Dublin Union. Union. Dublin South e General General Maxwell, the Jeffery notes a tendency for some some for tendency notes a Jeffery What appears more certain is that that certain is more What appears One nurse whose sacrifice warrants whose One warrants sacrifice nurse urse Kehoe worked at the infirmary of of the infirmary at worked Kehoe urse ur astle, ritish military headquarter f the the f o he table Infirmary ar o somewhat accounts of the 1916 of accounts in the telling’ and readers should make up up make should telling’ readers and the in nurses’ of own minds if accounts their the activities in hospitals such as fire and it was amid this that 43-year-old 43-year-old that this amid was it and fire T N n with sleeping rebels by over taken was out’. to ‘clear forced and awoken nurses B on a sprawling 20-acre site, the Union Union the site, 20-acre on a sprawling importance militarily of strategic was because it was the to in close proximity tant N th developed appendicitis but refused to to appendicitis but refused developed sev saved her post: “She probably leave very it but unselfishness, her by lives eral nearl C nurses nurses made the great to ensure sacrifices One tended to. wounded nurse were sta the military hospital at Dublin tioned at Margaret Kehoe Margaret Kehoe. especial mention is Margaret statement following the rebellion in which in rebellion the following statement “gallantry the particular’‘in praised he shown those who exposed by nurses to in attending fire to a heavy themselves the and wounded”. removing WIN Vol 24 No 2 March 2016 wo bulletlinbridge, Coof died Carlow, who memory of NurseMargaret J Kehoe, Leigh erenced this: rebel at the South Dublin Union. conceded by William tentional andaccidental. Kehoe suggest that her shooting was unin 1916 its current whereabouts are unknown. the plaque subsequently disappeared and the hospitalstaff. inspiration”“sourceand pride to of constant noted that the plaque would serve asa T rificed herlife for herpatients’ wellbeing. matron remarking that the nurse had sac nursesforhospital’s everywhere, with the Kehoe’san exampleas was cited death now pital (formerly the South Dublin Union and erected inhermemoryat St Kevin’s Hos of filling hernursing duties B conjecture, what appears more certain, as manner forming herProfessional Dutiesin a heroic he hospital’ ateson “ As the plaque was beingunveiled While the truth about thecircumstances While thetruth N unds received in this hospital while per T his plaque has been erected to the ur St se Kehoe’sse remain opento death James’s Hospital) in April 1965 ref on EasterMonda I Copyright points out, is that she died ful is that points out, ma s medicalsuperintendent 68 In spite oftheeulogies In T

C y, 1916”. osgrav 65 T andaplaque his much ge e, himselfa 64 66

N 69 ur was boots which canboots Pearse seenbehind be ontheright-hand sideof se 67 - - - - - (Ref: 17PC-1B14-19). O’Farrell Elizabeth isvisiblebymainly her - -

Pearse surrenders to BrigadierGeneral Lowe, 29, April 1916 while her days spreadingher dayswordimpend of the br nan remarked: were “We theonlywho two Grennan, in the rain. Years later, Gren had madeher way, with her friend Julia she was stationedat the GPO, where she nursedwounded. the r various nition, food andmessagesbetween the conflict, the 32-year-old ferried ammu m – aprerequisite when joining nur trained in arms use by and Inghinidhe na hÉireann and was She was amember of the Gaelic League schooling took ajobatprintinghouse. was born in Dublin and following her some years later, becameamidwife. She Easter Elizabeth O’Farrell i O’Farrell retreated to a house on Moore returning to ing insurrection in the provinces before evicz. evicz. O’Farrellwas first exposed to ought B From the second day of the insurrectionFromsecond dayof the the 1916in the Another central character As the GPO came under increasing under fire,As the GPO came O’Farrell was anardent an. sing dutiesduring the image. Museum Gaol ofKilmainham Courtesy the 70 R umbrellas to the Rising” . umbrellas tothe ising was ebel outposts in the city andin thecity ebel outposts R ising Dublin to partake. During thepartake. Dublin to was beingplanned,spent Elizabeth O’Farrell who, her aidtrainingfirst C R ountess Mark epublican and, C 71 umann na

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who transported him to the nearby Sir PatnearbySir him tothe who transported shot andshe was obliged to alertlocals just feet fromwalking O’Farrellman was a at Grand bridge crossingthe Street where shehelpednurse the injured. “enemy press”. as thein ordersaw to she frustratewhat own admissionsheadopted this stance camera largely behindPearse. in which O’Farrell stoodback from the iconic photograph ( the official surrender took place.Here an Pearsemeet the to O’Farrell accompanied rebel leader Pádraic surrender.and decidedto rebellion of the T attended to ing in 1930 reveals a ‘Miss O’Farrell’ who Organisation’s 10th Annual at thean examinationofthedelegates city. garrisons throughoutrebel thesage to mes surrenderwith delivering hand, the wasn’t”. Pearse was the important figure –Elizabeth remarked: “It was an editorial decision … In brushing her from the historical record. a] faireducation”. matron described heras“a fair nurse, [with in her final examinations. 1921 where sheachieved almost70% Maternity Hospital,Holles Street, in early long training as a midwife at the my hands several times”. a rudimentary editing procedure, O’Far is noteworthy. Using what appears to be all. at was thereshe primary clue that photograph – with hershoesproviding the visiblein onlythe kneesfrom down the cu ency and she was spared a lengthy spell in the surrender messagegarnered her clem tional surrender”. Head-Quartershave agreed uncondito an of the Provisional Government present at membershopelessly outnumbered, the and the lives of our followers now surrounded and in Dublin citizens, the hope of saving slaughter offurther preventorder the to wives’ ran for election tothe Organisation’sMid I rick Dun’s Hospital. the rell was removed from some versions of N her O’Farrell was charged, white inflag T O’Farrell’sin delivering co-operation Pearse’s letter of surrender noted:“In An examination of ballot papers in thepapers ballot An examinationof stody. She commenced her six-month- MO’ r he elation tothis,onecommentator photogr e, the volunteersrealised the futility She recalled: “Ihad to take my life in subsequent treatmentimage of the C s archives suggests that O’Farrell 73 ommittee in1925.

represent Dublin midwives. aph entirely, effectivelyair 72 Hence, O’Farrell islargely 74 77

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eland and gave rise to to rise eland and gave Copyright Copyright at the Elizabeth O’Farrell to Tribute By permission of the Royal Irish Academy © RIA Academy Irish By permissionof the Royal National Maternity Hospital, Holles St, Dublin Holles St, MaternityNational Hospital, ar of Independence and the subse of Independence and ar id the heady nationalist atmos nationalist heady the id m he nurse’s letter was prophetic. was prophetic. letter he nurse’s T A phere Irish nurses shunned the shunned Irish nurses phere execution and imprisonment of rebels rebels of imprisonment and execution the public, heightened anti- shocked quent granting of Free State status. State Free of granting quent ish sentiment in Ir W the Image by T J Westropp, Hotel Metropole, Sackville St, May 17 [1916]. 17 [1916]. May SackvilleSt, Metropole, Hotel Westropp, T J Image by - - - mage ofession ofession I being shot, shot, being itish itish of Journal r B 82 the nursing pr etery, Dublin. Her grave Her Dublin. etery, ent, under orders, the foe to to the foe ent,orders, under em C “Nurses are mostly strong loyal strong mostly are “Nurses verse on O’Farrell’s gravestone is is gravestone O’Farrell’s on verse sing and alludes to the fact that, sing that, and fact the to alludes i R he T the insurrec followed that days the In O’Farrell died in 1957 and is buried in in died in 1957 and is buried O’Farrell Nursing: but: “In Dublin ists” the riots over sorrow deep in is naturally and terrible loss of and those of life, who us ruins blackened the on look Dublin love time buildings can be erected, grief – in with life… to brought be cannot dead the but that to know wrung heart is woman’s every in our midst young men are out in penal servitude and others blotted to the English difficult it is so for life… for understand the Irish, and to their realise real . and convictions” feelings meet bearing sadly, unfearingly, proudly, proudly, meet bearing sadly, unfearingly, ”.defeat not but surrender of flag the a reference to the events that followed followed that to the events a reference the lost, been had battle rebels’ the although a war of sorts was ongoing and about to intensify. tion to the a wrote nurse stone reads: “When duty stone reads: called on the field w of battle she Park where a plaque in her memory reads: reads: memory her in plaque a where Park “Her was dedicated to the life cause of Irish . Freedom” Glasnevin

- - - - 80 is R , found sig found , Foundation Foundation which Meehan he O) ational Mater T onze memorial, memorial, onze hat hospital also N N T collaborated in the collaborated the in 50th anniversary of of 50th anniversary , where O’Farrell was was , O’Farrell where

O 81 N , Ena Meehan, long time time , Ena Meehan, long event further bloodshed” event Copyright Copyright see right). ommittee of ising C ear of the R ity Quay C year the year I hese include a br T ection. ses Organisation (I Organisation ses may be interpreted in many ways, in in ways, many in interpreted be may hat A number of memorials to O’Farrell A number of O’Farrell memorials to T While O’Farrell’s role in the Easter the in role O’Farrell’s While ur wards a medal in O’Farrell’s honour each each honour O’Farrell’s in medal a wards nity Hospital ( erected in 1966, at the at in 1966, erected exist. a year to midwives who excel academically. to year excel who midwives academically. Dublin’s O’Farrell of Elizabeth the location born, is ing actions during the nificance O’Farrell’s in insurr secretary. honorary was and midwifery nursing fund to aimed education and post-graduate research and was of symbolic importance to the and of was symbolic the to importance to “committed is which profession nursing life”. of service the N establishment of the O’Farrell Elizabeth Foundation 1966, the y Commemoration the Easter called of the then general secretary Irish and, in a letter to the Irish Independent, to and, in a letter co-oper Meehan O’Farrell’s noted that the surrender of word ation in spreading to “pr had helped Mater Hospital, Dublin. Bureau of Military History 1913- Archives online resource: Statement by Witness. Dan Nursing, the English nurse repre- 1921. [cited 2015 September 7]. Available from: http://www. MacCarthy, 1, Malahide Road, Clontarf, Dublin. Bureau of sentative association which bureauofmilitaryhistory.ie/reels/bmh/BMH.WS0463.pdf; See Military History 1913-1921. [cited 2015 September 7]. Avail- also Nolan E. Caring for the Nation: A History of the Mater able from: http://www.bureauofmilitaryhistory.ie/reels/ also traded in Ireland at the Misericordiae University Hospital. Dublin: Gill and Macmil- bmh/BMH.WS0722.pdf (p. 6). For further accounts of and time.83 Instead, in 1919 they lan; 2013 (p. 80-81) references to Kehoe’s shooting see; O’Brien P. Uncommon 17. O’Brien E. The Charitable Infirmary Jervis Street: 1718- Valour (p. 45-46); Personal testimony of Wardmaster Patrick were given the option of 1987, A Farewell Tribute. Dublin: The Anniversary Press; 1987 (p. 37) Smyth of the South Dublin Union: Statement by Witness. joining a new representa- 18. Prendergast E, Sheridan H. Jubilee Nurse: Voluntary Dis- Mr Patrick Smyth, 175 James’ Street, Dublin. Bureau of Mili- trict Nursing in Ireland, 1890-1974. Dublin: Wolfhound Press; tary History 1913-1921. [cited 2015 September 8]. Available tive association for nurses 2012 (p. 15) from: http://www.bureauofmilitaryhistory.ie/reels/bmh/ and midwives which, in 19. 1916 Rebellion Handbook (p. 232) BMH.WS0305.pdf#page=1 (p. 1); Personal testimony of the 20. Coakley D. Baggot Street: A Short History of the Royal Assistant Matron of the South Dublin Union, Annie Mann- keeping with nationalist sen- City of Dublin Hospital. Dublin: Royal City of Dublin Hospital; ion: Statement by Witness. Miss Annie Mannion, St. Kevin’s timent, featured a shamrock on 1995 (p. 53) Institution, 1 James’ Street, Dublin. Bureau of Military History 21. McEwen Y. “It’s a long Way to Tipperary”, British and Irish 1913-1921. [cited 2015 September 8]. Available from: http:// its badge (see left). That associa- Nurses in the Great War. Dunfermline: Cualann Press; 2006 www.bureauofmilitaryhistory.ie/reels/bmh/BMH.WS0297. tion, known then as the Irish Nurses Union (p. 126-127) pdf#page=1 (p. 3) 22. O’Brien P. Uncommon Valour: 1916 and the Battle for the 58. Evening Herald. 1965 April 19 (p. 3) and now as the Irish Nurses and Midwives South Dublin Union. Cork: Mercier Press; 2010 (p. 47) 59. An Phoblacht. 1932 June 25 (p. 2) Organisation, grew to become the State’s 23. Miss Ramsden’s Report is reproduced in the British Jour- 60. See Campos A. Forgotten First Victim of the Rising Margaret nal of Nursing. 1916 May 27; LVI (1469) (p. 472) Keogh Honoured. Irish Mirror [Internet]. 2015 April 13 [cited 2015 largest trade union for nurses and midwives. 24. 1916 Rebellion Handbook (p. 243) September 8]. Available from: http://www.irishmirror.ie/news/ Its history, however, is a story for another 25. Ibid. (p. 241) irish-news/forgotten-first-victim-rising-margaret-5507195 26. Testimony of ambulance staff in Foy M, Barton B. The 61. Foy M, Barton B. The Easter Rising (p. 191). For a more day. Easter Rising (p. 197) nuanced reading; see Townshend C. Easter 1916: The Irish 27. Anon. A Nurse in Dublin Castle. In: McHugh R, editor. Dub- Rebellion. London: Penguin; 2006 (p. 290-299) Mark Loughrey is a registered general nurse specialising 1916lin 1916: An Illustrated Anthology. London: Arlington Books; 62. O’Farrell P. Who’s Who in the Irish War of Independence, in intensive care nursing. In 2011 he was awarded a PhD 1976 (p. 107) 1916-1921. Cork: Mercier Press; 1980 (p. 82) cited by Jeffery K. scholarship by the INMO, the first of its kind ever awarded 28. Now a residential/day-care facility located near Grand Nationalisms and Gender. by the Organisation, and commenced doctoral studies Canal Dock. 63. Foy M, Barton B. The Easter Rising (p. 189) at the School of Nursing, Midwifery and Health Systems, 29. 1916 Rebellion Handbook (p. 241) 64. Testimony of Liam T Cosgrave in his Bureau of Military University College Dublin. He completed his thesis entitled 30. Molyneux D, Kelly D. When the Clock Struck in 1916: History Witness Statement: Statement by Witness. Mr Liam ‘A History of the Irish Nurses Organisation, 1919-1999’ Close-Quarter Combat in the Easter Rising. Cork: The Collins T. Cosgrave, Beechpark, Templeogue, Co. Dublin. Bureau of Press; 2015 (p. 67-68) in 2015. Mark is currently completing a history of the Military History 1913-1921. [cited 2015 September 8]. Availa- 31. Foy M, Barton B. The Easter Rising (p. 185) ble from: http://www.bureauofmilitaryhistory.ie/reels/bmh/ Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation in advance of the 32. Ibid. (p. 112, 115, 206) BMH.WS0268.pdf#page=24 (p. 6b) Organisation’s centenary in 2019. 33. Ibid. (p. 114) 65. Bateson R. They Died by Pearse’s Side. Dublin: Irish Graves 34. Ibid. (p. 205) Publications; 2010 (p. 271) Acknowledgements 35. Molyneux D, Kelly D. When the Clock Struck in 1916 (p. 170) 66. I would like to thank Ray Bateson for kindly sourcing 36. Testimony in Foy M, Barton B. The Easter Rising (p. 157) Ruth Taillon, John Kepple, Noel Nelson, Prof Eoin O’Brien, the wording of the plaque. Since 2009, a plaque to Kehoe’s 37. O’Brien E, Browne L, O’Malley K, editors. A Closing Memoir: Paul O’Brien, Frank Miller and The Irish Times, Pádraig Óg memory is also located at the GAA clubhouse in her native The Richmond, Whitworth and Hardwicke Hospitals. Dublin: Leighlinbridge, Co. Carlow. Bateson’s exhaustive account Ó Ruairc, Ray Bateson, Lar Joye at the National Museum The Anniversary Press; 1988 (p. 15) of memorials of the Easter Rising contains a picture of that of Ireland, Prof Keith Jeffery, Eamon de Valera and The 38. For a more comprehensive analysis of Nightingale’s plaque which reads: ‘To the memory of nurse Margaret Irish Press, the National Photographic Archive, Sophie contribution to hospital design; see Bostridge M. Florence Kehoe, Orchard, Leighlinbridge. Who lost her life on Easter Evans and the Royal Irish Academy, the National Library Nightingale, The Woman and Her Legend. London: Viking; Monday 1916 at the South Dublin Union while attending to of Ireland, UCD Library, Luke Portess and Aoife Torpey at 2008 (p. 335-339) wounded volunteer Dan McCarthy who was later to become Kilmainham Gaol and Glasnevin Museum, Prof Gerard 39. 1916 Rebellion Handbook (p. 243) President of the GAA 1921-1924. Unveiled by Mr Christy 40. Foy M, Barton B. The Easter Rising (p. 206) Fealy at UCD and Albert Murphy, Edward Mathews, Phil Ní Cooney, President GAA 22nd August 2009. Erected by Leigh- 41. Ibid. Sheaghdha and the staff at the Irish Nurses and Midwives linbridge GAA Club’; see Bateson R. Memorials of the Easter 42. See: Statement by Witness. A Member of the Community Organisation Rising. Dublin: Irish Graves Publications; 2013 (p. 33) of the Sisters of Mercy, Mater Hospital, Dublin. Bureau of Mil- 67. Irish Times. 1965 April 20 (p. 11) itary History 1913-1921. [cited 2015 September 7]. Available References from: http://www.bureauofmilitaryhistory.ie/reels/bmh/ 68. Evening Herald. 1965 April 19 (p. 3) 1. Letter from Constance de Markievicz to the Secretary of the BMH.WS0463.pdf (p. 3) 69. Taillon asserts that a plaque to Kehoe’s memory exists Irish Nurses’ Union dated 24th October 1921 (INMO Archives, 43. O’Brien E. The Charitable Infirmary Jervis Street (p. 38) in Baggot Street Hospital, Dublin. Inquiries with the Health Dublin) 44. Ibid. Service Executive and staff at the institution have failed to 2. Letter from the Secretary of the Irish Nurses’ Union to 45. Ibid. produce any leads as to its whereabouts; see Taillon R. When Constance de Markievicz dated 26th October 1921 (INMO 46. Ibid. History Was Made... The Women of 1916. Belfast: Beyond The Archives, Dublin) 47. Meenan FOC. St. Vincent’s Hospital, 1834-1994: An Histori- Pale Publications; 1996 (p. 60) 3. For an account of the commemoration see Irish Press. 1935 cal and Social Portrait. Dublin: Gill and Macmillan; 1995 (p. 89) 70. Irish Independent. 1966 July 1 (p. 11) April 22 (p. 2) 48. Jeffery K. Nationalisms and Gender: Ireland in the Time of 71. Ibid. 4. Throughout this article the terms rebel and volunteer are the Great War 1914-1918. In: 19th International Congress of 72. Ó Ruairc P. Revolution: A Photographic History of Revolu- used interchangeably to denote the men and women who Historical Sciences; 2000 August 8; Oslo, Norway. tionary Ireland, 1913-1923. Cork: Mercier Press; 2011 (p. 66) fought in pursuit of an Irish Republic during the Rising. The 49. Anon. A Nurse in Dublin Castle (p. 121) 73. O’Farrell’s role in the Rising and the iconic surrender terms soldier and military are used to denote the British (and 50. Freeman’s Journal. 1916 May 8 (p. 2) photograph is well examined in Episode 4 of the RTÉ docu- Irish) military forces and personnel who opposed them. 51. Sometimes referred to as Margaretta/Margaret Keogh. mentary Réabhlóid. Available from: https://www.youtube. 5. Foy M, Barton B. The Easter Rising. Stroud: Sutton Publish- 52. The testimony of the Assistant Matron, Annie Mannion, com/watch?v=DvHxSdyH8Pk ing; 1999 (p. 210-211) can be sourced at: Statement by Witness. Miss Annie Mann- 74. The surrender letter is reproduced in Hegarty and 6. Colloquially known as Jervis Street Hospital and now the ion, St. Kevin’s Institution, 1 James’ Street, Dublin. Bureau of O’Toole’s engaging account of the Rising; see Hegarty S, site of Jervis Shopping Centre. O’Toole F. The Irish Times Book of the 1916 Rising. Dublin: Gill 7. 1916 Rebellion Handbook. Belfast: Mourne River Press; Military History 1913-1921. [cited 2015 September 7]. Availa- and Macmillan; 2006 (p. 135) 1998 (p. 242) ble from: http://www.bureauofmilitaryhistory.ie/reels/bmh/ 8. Now office accommodation. BMH.WS0297.pdf#page=1 (p. 2). In the wake of the Rising, 75. O’Farrell E. The Surrender. In: McHugh R, editor. Dublin 9. Mitchell D. A ‘Peculiar Place’: The Adelaide Hospital, Dublin. the nurses’ home was looted by those seeking souvenirs of 1916: An Illustrated Anthology. London: Arlington Books; Its Times, Places and Personalities, 1839-1989. Blackwater the conflict. Many of the items taken transpired to be the 1976 (p. 213) Press: Dublin; 1989 (p. 153) nurses’ own belongings for which they were compensated 76. Ibid. 10. Crookes G. Dublin’s Eye and Ear: The Making of a Mon- afterwards: Statement by Witness. Miss Annie Mannion, St. 77. Farmar T. Holles Street (p. 72) ument. Dublin: Town House and Country House; 1993 (p. Kevin’s Institution, 1 James’ Street, Dublin. Bureau of Military 78. Ballot paper for election of officers and executive commit- 104-105) History 1913-1921. [cited 2015 September 8]. Available from: tees of the Irish Nurses’ Union for the year 1925 (INMO Archives, 11. Farmar T. Holles Street, 1894-1994: The National Mater- http://www.bureauofmilitaryhistory.ie/reels/bmh/BMH. Dublin); Irish Nurses’ Union Gazette. 1925 May (13) (p. 3) nity Hospital - A Centenary History. Dublin: A. & A. Farmar; WS0297.pdf#page=1 (p. 5). For those interested in further 79. Irish Nurses’ Union Gazette. 1930 June (31) (p. 1) 1994 (p. 47) oral history testimonies related to the 1916 Easter Rising; see 80. Irish Independent. 1966 June 14 (p. 5); Irish Press. 1966 12. 1916 Rebellion Handbook (p. 241-242) McGarry F. Rebels: Voices from the Easter Rising. Dublin: Pen- June 14 (p. 7); Irish Independent. 1966 June 24 (p. 11); Irish 13. Now home to the Health Service Executive. guin Ireland; 2011. Independent. 1966 October 21 (p. 12) 14. 1916 Rebellion Handbook (p. 242). The former Mercer’s 53. Caulfield M. The Easter Rebellion. 2nd ed. Dublin: Gill and 81. Irish Independent. 1966 October 26 (p. 2) Hospital is now a primary care clinic near St Stephen’s Green. Macmillan; 1995 (p. 93) 82. British Journal of Nursing. 1916 May 13; LVI (1467) (p. 429) 15. Foy M, Barton B. The Easter Rising (p. 60) 54. Ibid. 83. Now known as the Royal College of Nursing (RCN). See

Vol 24 No 2 March 2016 No 2 March 24 Vol 16. The unnamed nun’s testimony can be sourced at the Mil- 55. Ibid. McGann S, Crowther A, Dougall R. A History of the Royal Col- itary Archive’s excellent online resource. See Statement by 56. Molyneux D, Kelly D. When the Clock Struck in 1916 (p. 127) lege of Nursing, 1916-1990: A Voice for Nurses. Manchester: Witness. A Member of the Community of the Sisters of Mercy, Manchester University Press; 2009 (p. 27) WIN 57. Testimony of Dan MacCarthy available at Military