Embedded Files
The Elliott sisters, Emily (1893-1983, later Ledwith) and Eilís (1896- 1966, later O’Brien/Ní Briain), took part in the 1916 Rising also known as the Easter Rising 1916. They were founder members of Cumann na mBan.
Commemoration of Eilis and Emily Elliott's participation in 1916 Rising
Commemoration of Eilis and Emily Elliott's participation in 1916 Rising
On 7th April 2018, Westmeath County Council organised the renaming of a road in Athlone “Elliott Road” in honour of two local sisters’ contributions to the Easter Rising. The Mayor of Athlone, Aengus O’Rourke, unveiled the sign for the newly named Elliott Road.
Capuchin Priest Fr. Augustine (1933)
Women of 1916
By Niamh O’Sullivan
Easter time, ninety-five years ago. In the aftermath of the seemingly failed 1916 Rising in Dublin, seventy plus female participants found themselves in Kilmainham Jail. Most of them spent little over one week there, a handful were held for longer.
More women had taken part in the Rising, but they succeeded in reaching home, undetected. Echoing once more at this time of year is their common plea to be remembered. Ninety-five years after these ordinary, yet extraordinary women played their part on Ireland’s historical stage, I’d like to write about a few of them who keep wandering quietly into my mind.
Several acted as nurses amidst the thick of the fighting. A proud member of Cumann na mBan (the Women’s League), Emily Elliott wore her red cross on the sleeve of her uniform whilst working in Fr. Mathew Hall on Church Street. Fr. Augustine, a Capuchin priest who attended some of the 1916 leaders in the hours before their execution in Kilmainham Jail, later described Emily:
“I got to know her first in Easter Week, 1916, when she assisted me very much in attending to the wounded. Of the many brave girls I met during that memorable week, I have no hesitation in saying that she impressed me as the most fearless. She is certainly one of those who deserve appreciation and whom the Nation should not forget.”
Emily, sheltered by the priests, was amongst those women who escaped discovery by blending in with the crowds after Mass, thus arriving home safely after the Rising. Bridget Davis, another nurse, was not so fortunate. She was one of the Easter Week women of Kilmainham.
Women of 1916
Women of 1916
Emily Elliott, Gardiner's Place.
www.bureauofmilitaryhistory.ie/reels/bmh/BMH.WS0568.pdf
www.bureauofmilitaryhistory.ie/reels/bmh/BMH.WS0887.pdf
Women of 1916 by Niamh O’Sullivan
Easter time, ninety-five years ago. In the aftermath of the seemingly failed 1916 Rising in Dublin, seventy plus female participants found themselves in Kilmainham Jail. Most of them spent little over one week there, a handful were held for longer.
More women had taken part in the Rising, but they succeeded in reaching home, undetected. Echoing once more at this time of year is their common plea to be remembered. Ninety-five years after these ordinary, yet extraordinary women played their part on Ireland’s historical stage, I’d like to write about a few of them who keep wandering quietly into my mind.
Several acted as nurses amidst the thick of the fighting. A proud member of Cumann na mBan (the Women’s League), Emily Elliott wore her red cross on the sleeve of her uniform whilst working in Fr. Mathew Hall on Church Street. Fr. Augustine, a Capuchin priest who attended some of the 1916 leaders in the hours before their execution in Kilmainham Jail, later described Emily:
“I got to know her first in Easter Week, 1916, when she assisted me very much in attending to the wounded. Of the many brave girls I met during that memorable week, I have no hesitation in saying that she impressed me as the most fearless. She is certainly one of those who deserve appreciation and whom the Nation should not forget.”
Emily, sheltered by the priests, was amongst those women who escaped discovery by blending in with the crowds after Mass, thus arriving home safely after the Rising. Bridget Davis, another nurse, was not so fortunate. She was one of the Easter Week women of Kilmainham.
Eilis O'Brien Pension
File Reference MSP34REF21833
Name Eilis O'Brien
Address detail Street Sean Costello Street Athlone
County Westmeath
Address detail Street 8 St Peter's Terrace Athlone
copyWMSP34REF21833EILISOBRIEN.pdf
Scanned/digital copyW34E1955EILISOBRIEN.pdf
Mayors Speech - 7th April 2018 - Luan Gallery 11.30am
Mayors Speech - 7th April 2018 - Luan Gallery 11.30am
Elliott Road
Elliott Road
A dhaoine uaisle, Failte romhaibh go léir.
Oireachtas Members,
Members of Westmeath County Council,
Members of our Defence Forces,
Family members of the Sisters Emily & Eilish Elliott,
Ladies and Gentlemen
As Mayor of Athlone, I am honoured to be part of this historic occasion.
We are here today to further commemorate Eilis and Emily Elliott from (Tonagh) Tubberclaire who played a significant role in the making of modern Ireland. In doing so we also acknowledge the role played by their colleagues from the greater Athlone area who also made a valuable contribution.
For many years the role of women in Easter 1916 and later years was overlooked, but happily the part played by both Emily and Eilish has been recognised and commemorated in Athlone.
As part of the centenary 1916 commemorations a plaque was erected in Count John McCormack Square in their honour.
In 2017 the bypass bridge on the River Shannon was named as Cuman Na mBan Bridge and a plaque commemorating all those from the greater Athlone area who were active in The Irish Volunteers, The Irish Republican Brotherhood, The Irish Citizen Army and Cumann na mBan at the time of the Easter Rising in 1916.
And today, the section of road from White Bridge to the Town Bridge will officially be named as Elliott Road.
There is no doubt that the Easter Rising was a critical event in Irish history and marked the birth of the modern republic, we owe so much to those who participated in those events.
So to Eilish and Emily:
At an early age Eilish and Emily went to Dublin to find work where they trained as confectioners. In Dublin they both joined the Keating branch of the Gaelic League and were founding members of Cumann Na mBan and were members of the central branch.
Both Eilish and Emily participated in the 1916 Easter rising. They were in Reis's in Abbey Street (opposite the Hibernian Bank) on Easter Monday and spent the day going back and forth to the GPO (under the command of Capt. Wafer) carrying bread, supplies and messages.
On Tuesday they answered a call for volunteers for the Four Courts and set off along the Quays where they stayed until the surrender on the Saturday. They were in the Four Courts building at first but then the wounded were all moved to the Father Matthew Hall where it was deemed to be safer. And, isn't it appropriate that today we stand in another hall of the same name. Emily & Eilish helped with dispatches and tended the wounded during the fighting.
The Capuchin Priest Fr. Augustine who attended to the men of the Four Courts Garrison and also attended the Leaders of the Rising before their executions later wrote a letter in June 1933 in which he said
“I have much pleasure in testifying to my deep appreciation of Mrs. Emily Ledwith. I got to know her first in Easter week 1916 when she assisted me very much in attending to the wounded. Of the many brave people I met during that memorable week, I have no hesitation in saying that she impressed me as the most fearless. She is certainly one of those who deserves appreciation, and whom the Nation should never forget”.
An amazing testimonal really.
After the rising, Eilish and her husband Seamus O'Brien settled down in Athlone and they continued to play a part in local politics being both founder members of Fianna Fail in Athlone. Eilish was an active member of Fianna Fail and was chair of the local Wolfe Tone Cumann and was president of the Cumann for a long number of years.
I would like to quote from notes left by Eilis O'Brien about her part in the rebellion
“We learned how to use a rifles, revolvers and signaling.
On Sundays and bank holidays we marched to the Dublin Mountains and made ourselves acquainted with the district as this was the place the fight was expected to start. Padraig Pearse lectured us, noted our progress, discipline and seemed at all times pleased. Madame Markievicz was a weekly visitor. Madam told us one night to our surprise to get acquainted with the city streets and bye ways as in all probability we could expect to be involved in a city fight very soon.
On Easter Monday an order came late in the evening, on arriving at the G.P.O Sean Mac Dermott and P.H. Pearse were inside the main door, they made clear our work that night, which was to carry food and arms over the street to Reese's Chambers at the corner of Abbey St.
Early next morning Capt. Tomas Wafer the OC gave me a letter to deliver to his wife at the North Circular Road, this order I carried out making my way through barricades, being halted and searched continuously by soldiers. I delivered the letter. But when I arrived back I was just in time to see Capt. Wafer's dead body being taken off the street”. So, she really was involved at the cold face of the rising.
Ladies and gentlemen these insights into the work and influence and commitment of Emily and Eilis Elliott makes it clear for me and I'm sure for all of us, the reasons why we are here today. These ladies were committed republicans, fearless in the pursuit of freedom and sacrificed so much for this country and for future generations. It gives me great pleasure as the Mayor of Athlone to officially declare the road before us / outside this building named from this day forward as Elliott Road.
Go raibh maith agat.
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