The - Revolutionary Doctor graphic novel has been developed by the Nerve Centre’s Creative Centenaries project which produces innovative resources around events in the Decade of Centenaries.

This is a Key Stage 3 curriculum linked resource looking at the changing face of the Home Front in Ireland, through the experiences of Kathleen Lynn.

Developed in partnership with the National Library of Ireland and featuring many collection items from the National Library of Ireland and the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland. Artwork by Revolve comics.

With special thanks to Nicola Ralston, National Library or Ireland, and Harriet Wheelock, Royal College of Physicians of Ireland. www.creativecentenaries.org

Background image courtesy of National Library of Ireland Further information

VISIT

The National Library of Ireland in hold a variety of original documents and materials from Kathleen Lynn, including notes and letters. They can be viewed online through the website or in the Library’s Reading Rooms: nli.ie

ONLINE

Read the ‘Greatest killer of the twentieth century: the Great Flu of 1918-19’ article on History Ireland for detailed analysis of the pandemic: historyireland.com THE HOME VIDEO FRONT IN Watch a 42 minute documentary called ‘Kathleen Lynn – The Rebel Doctor’ on the Irish Film Institute site: ifplayer.ie IRELAND The in Ireland in 1916 ONLINE ignited a chain of events that would Read Kathleen Lynn’s Revolutionary Diary dominate Irish life over the following written in the aftermath of the Easter Rising decades. The aftermath of the and online at the Royal College of Physicians uprising saw the emergence of new political and social movements, with of Ireland: rcpi.ie/heritage-centre/1916-2/ women playing a signifcant role.

Sinn Féin’s rise to power began in 1917 Lloyd George came to an end in spring 1918 when they won by-elections against the Irish with the simultaneous introduction of Home Parliamentary Party. The frst two seats were Rule and conscription to Ireland, marking won by George Noble Plunkett and Joseph the end of a political era. Both Sinn Féin McGuinness. and the Catholic church unite to oppose conscription which is later dropped as an Éamon de Valera was released in June 1917, idea. along with other Republican prisoners held for their part in the Rising. Following Willie As the First World War entered its fnal stages, Redmond’s death at the Battle of Messines, the ‘Spanish Flu’ pandemic was said to de Valera won his East Clare seat and have infected one billion people around announced a new kind of politics. the world, killing approximately 100 million. The pandemic was felt across the whole The British Prime Minister David Lloyd George island, notably in Belfast and in Dublin. initiated the Irish Constitutional Convention Kathleen Lynn, who was arrested after being in July 1917 in an attempt to solve the issue on the run between May and October of of Home Rule for Ireland. Sinn Féin, however, 1918, was released so she could provide refused to take part in the talks and in essential professional services. She set up August won another seat for W.T. Cosgrave. a vaccination centre and hospital for fu Women played an integral role in Sinn Féin’s victims at Charlemont Street in Dublin politics and at their convention in October Sinn Féin won 73 seats in the UK general 1917, Kathleen Lynn was elected vice- election of December, 1918 with the Irish president of the Sinn Féin Executive and de Parliamentary Party practically wiped out. Valera became the party’s President and Instead of going to Westminster, Sinn Féin began to push for an independent republic. chose to set up a new Irish parliament, The Irish Convention convened by David known as Dáil Éireann, in January 1919. Kathleen Lynn

Kathleen Lynn was born in and , on 28th January she also identifed as an active 1874 as the second oldest of suffragist and nationalist. three daughters and one son to During the Dublin Lockout of parents Catherine and Robert, 1913 Lynn saw frsthand the who was a Church of Ireland suffering of Dublin’s population clergyman. through her work in the city’s She was educated in soup kitchens. Manchester, Düsseldorf and She played an important role Kathleen Lynn was a member later Dublin and graduated in during the Spanish Flu epidemic of the and 1899. Following a postgraduate of 1918-19 and with ffrench- during the Easter Rising, as the placement in the United States Mullen established St Ultan’s group’s Chief Medical Offcer, she became a fellow of the Hospital for Infants, in Dublin, she helped the injured and Royal College of Surgeons in which provided essential wounded at City Hall. Ireland. medical and educational She was imprisoned at facilities for infants and their Lynn joined the staff of Sir for her role mothers. Patrick Dun’s Hospital after she in the Rising along with Helena was refused a position at the Lynn’s political career Molony and Madeleine ffrench- Adelaide Hospital because of continued and she was Mullen. Lynn and ffrench-Mullen her gender. She served as a elected to Dáil Éireann in 1923 lived together at Lynn’s home clinical assistant at the Royal but didn’t retain her seat in the in from 1915 until Victoria Eye and Ear Hospital 1927 election. ffrench-Mullen’s death in 1944. from 1910 to 1916 where she They were said to have been in became its frst female resident Her commitment to health a relationship. doctor. reform saw Lynn encourage pioneering tuberculosis After the Easter Rising Lynn Although she came from vaccination and develop became the vice-president a respectable and well-off relationships with medical of Sinn Féin’s Executive in background, Lynn was most practitioners in the US. 1917 and she used her home concerned in her professional for meetings of Cumann na life with those less well-off and Kathleen Lynn died on 14th dTeachtaire - the league of infuenced by friends and September 1955 and was given women delegates. labour activists a full military funeral.

Create a flm Record a podcast detailing the with Kathleen Lynn ‘Spanish Flu’ in her later life

Produce a short flm looking at the impact of the Imagine you are talking to Kathleen Lynn in the ‘Spanish Flu’ of 1917-18 and its particular affect 1940s and record a podcast as you talk to her in Ireland. about important aspects of her life.

Investigate which cities and areas were In pairs, students will assume the role of Kathleen hardest hit and the increasing death tolls as the Lynn and a reporter. They will script and record a pandemic took hold. podcast that refects on Lynn’s life, her personal achivements and politics. Students will use flmmaking software to combine images from the time with text descriptions or a Students will use audio recording software to voiceover that conveys their fndings. compile their podcast.

TIP: Read the links at ‘further information’ above TIP: Search online for free sound effects to use in for a detailed analysis of the disease. your broadcast.

Thinking Skills & Key Elements Areas of Learning Cross Curricular Skills Personal Capabilities

The Arts; English (with Communication; Managing Information; Personal Understanding; Media Education); Using ICT Being Creative; Working Moral Character; Environment & Society With Others Citizenship; Cultural Understanding; Media Awareness