Jennie Wyse Power
Jennie Wyse Power stands as a towering figure among the most influential women of both the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Her life, marked by remarkable activism and dedication to Irish political causes, left an indelible mark on the landscape of Irish history.
Born into an era of tumult and political upheaval, Jennie Wyse Power's legacy is one of unwavering commitment to the advancement of Irish interests. Her passing in 1941, at the age of 79, marked the end of an era, but her impact resonated far beyond her years.
Married to the esteemed Irish journalist, John Wyse Power, Jennie was deeply involved in the political milieu of her time. John's own involvement in the press and his imprisonment during the turbulent period of "Foster's suspects" underscored the couple's dedication to Irish nationalist causes.
Jennie Wyse Power's influence extended far beyond her role as a supportive spouse. She was instrumental in the early days of the Parnell movement, serving as the secretary of the Ladies' Land League and tirelessly advocating for the rights of Irish farmers. Her intimate friendship with Anna Parnell, the sister of Charles Stewart Parnell, highlights her central position within the political circles of the time.
Beyond her involvement with the Land League, Jennie was deeply entrenched in the cultural and literary spheres of Ireland. As a member of the Celtic Literary Society, she counted luminaries such as W.B. Yeats, Lady Gregory, and William Rooney among her peers, illustrating her multifaceted contributions to Irish society.
However, it was her involvement with Sinn Fein that truly solidified Jennie Wyse Power's place in Irish history. From its inception, she was a staunch supporter and executive member, lending her organizational acumen and financial expertise to the burgeoning movement. Her tenure as one of the founders and the inaugural president of Cumann na mBan, a pivotal women's organization within Sinn Fein, further cemented her legacy as a trailblazer for women's participation in Irish politics.
During the tumultuous years of the Irish War of Independence and subsequent Civil War, Jennie's resilience and fortitude were put to the test. Her business premises in Dublin's Henry Street were destroyed during the Easter Rising, and she faced frequent raids by Crown Forces during the Black and Tan regime. Yet, she remained undeterred in her commitment to the cause, serving as a co-trustee alongside Michael Collins of funds allocated to the first Dail.
Jennie's political career continued into the fledgling years of the Irish Free State, where she was appointed to the first Seanad by Mr. Cosgrave. Her tenure lasted for twelve years, a testament to her enduring influence and respected voice within Irish politics.
In summary, Jennie Wyse Power's life encapsulates the spirit of Irish nationalism and the fervent desire for independence. Her tireless activism, unwavering dedication, and pioneering efforts in women's political participation have left an indelible mark on Irish history, ensuring her place among the most influential figures of her time.
The Early Years and Activism of Jennie Wyse Power:
Jennie Wyse Power, born Jane O’Toole, entered the world on May 1st, 1858, at Main Street, Baltinglass, County Wicklow, within the confines of what was once Winnett’s Hotel. Her parents, Edward O’Toole and Mary Norton, hailed from farming backgrounds in West Wicklow, near the Carlow border. In 1841, the couple settled in Baltinglass, where Edward established a business dealing in leather, provisions, and meal on Main Street. Residing above the business, the family's modest abode witnessed the birth of seven children, with Jane, the youngest, later adopting the moniker ‘Jennie.’ The West Wicklow Historical Society appropriately commemorated her birthplace with a plaque, which now stands in Baltinglass, a testament to Jennie's origins.
In 1860, when Jennie was a mere two years old, her family relinquished their Baltinglass business and property, migrating to Cuffe Street in Dublin, where Edward resumed his entrepreneurial pursuits. Jennie, benefiting from a quality education, emerged as an articulate and self-assured young woman, adept at public discourse. The O’Toole household, staunchly nationalist, provided sanctuary to Fenians, fostering Jennie’s fervent nationalist convictions. Tragically, both parents succumbed to death by the time Jennie reached her twentieth year, thrusting her into the realm of activism and politics in 1881, with her initiation into the Ladies Land League.
Awakening to Politics: The Ladies Land League:
Established in January 1881 by Anna Parnell, sister of Charles Stewart Parnell, the Ladies Land League, not a feminist organization, focused on challenging the landlord system and ameliorating conditions for tenant farmers. Jennie, with numerous farming relatives in West Wicklow, swiftly ascended to an active role in the league's executive committee. Traversing wintry fields, she ventured back to her native terrain to aid distressed tenant farmers in Carlow and West Wicklow. Jennie chaired meetings and established new branches, contributing significantly to the league's expansion, which boasted 500 branches nationwide by early 1882.
Jennie's Activism and Family Life:
The endeavours of the Ladies Land League stirred controversy, drawing criticism from the Archbishop of Dublin, who accused its members of forsaking "the modesty of their sex and the high dignity of their womanhood." Their actions, radical for the 1880s, involved effective organization and operation in the public sphere. Contrary to expectations, Archbishop McCabe's critiques invigorated the organization, fuelling its expansion. Bishop Croke of Cashel rallied to its defence. Despite harassment and eventual banning by authorities, the resolute women persisted in their activities even after the imprisonment of Land League leaders, including Charles Stewart Parnell. They even took on the task of publishing the banned nationalist newspaper 'United Ireland.' However, disagreements between Anna Parnell and her brother Charles led to the disbandment of the organization after 18 months. Jennie, a close friend of Anna Parnell, maintained neutrality in their dispute. Jennie's activism propelled her to the forefront of Irish political life within a few short years.
Family and Political Affiliations:
Between 1881 and 1883, Jennie served as a librarian for imprisoned Land Leaguers and suspects, where she met John Wyse Power, a young man from Waterford with strong nationalist leanings. John, arrested for suspected Land League activities, later became the editor of the Leinster Leader. The couple married on July 5th, 1883, settling in Naas, where they had four children. Sadly, their first child, Catherine, died in infancy. John played a pivotal role in founding the Gaelic Athletic Association in 1884 and served as its first president. The family relocated to Dublin in 1885, where John secured a position with the Freeman’s Journal. They were staunch supporters of Parnell’s Home Rule movement and the Gaelic Revival. Jennie joined Conradh na Gaeilge in 1890 and played a role in establishing the Irish College in Waterford. Despite political disillusionment after the Irish Parliamentary party split, Jennie and John remained influential figures in Irish society, with their son Charles Wyse Power becoming a prominent barrister and circuit court judge, and their daughters Maura and Nancy achieving success in academia and civil service, respectively. In 1892, Jennie published 'Words of the Dead Chief,' a compilation of Parnell's speeches, cementing their allegiance to his legacy.
The Wyse Powers were avid supporters of the Gaelic League, founded in 1893. Both John and Jennie dedicated themselves to learning Irish, and they, along with their children, actively participated in the League's cultural activities. Around 1899, the family relocated to 21 Henry Street in Dublin's city centre, where Jennie established her own business, the 'Irish Farm Produce Company.' This enterprise comprised a restaurant and a shop selling farm produce, honey, and cakes - all sourced from Irish suppliers. Jennie's forward-thinking 'buy Irish' stance was ahead of its time. Some of her supplies came from her cousins in the Wicklow/Carlow area, transported via the railway line from Baltinglass station. The pioneering business thrived, with the family residing upstairs over the shop. Over time, Jennie expanded, opening three additional branches at Camden Street, Upper Leeson Street, and Rathmines. Alongside her husband John, Jennie formed a formidable and dynamic duo. The Henry Street restaurant soon became a hub for activists and nationalists, elevating the Wyse Powers' prominence on the Dublin political scene. Notably, they even make an appearance in Chapter 12 of James Joyce’s 'Ulysses' as John Wyse Nolan and his bride.
Nationalist, Suffragist, and Politician:
In 1900, Jennie was elected one of the four Vice-Presidents of Maude Gonne’s Inghinidhe na hEireann, a title that her daughter Nancy deemed 'cumbersome.' This movement aimed for complete independence for Ireland and the development of its economy and culture. While initially providing a platform for women's activism, it eventually merged with Cumann na mBan. Jennie, a lifelong supporter of female suffrage, was a member of the Dublin Women’s Suffrage Association, though she didn't join the Irish Women’s Franchise League until 1914. In 1903, Jennie was elected as Poor Law Guardian for North Dublin, a position she held for eight years. She vehemently criticized the Poor Law system, alleging that Irish money was misspent and the Irish poor demoralized.
Sinn Fein, founded on November 28, 1905, with Arthur Griffith as its first leader, saw Jennie's active involvement. She became an executive member of the National Council of Sinn Fein in 1906, rising to the position of Vice President by 1911, second only to Griffith. While Griffith proposed original ideas that Jennie didn't always agree with, such as abstention from Westminster parliament, she recognized his influence in sowing the seeds of revolution. Jennie remained on the executive of Sinn Fein for several years, later assuming the role of party treasurer. The restaurant at 21 Henry Street often served as a meeting place for Griffith and other nationalists. With the establishment of the Irish Volunteers in November 1913, followed by the organization of Cumann na mBan in 1914, Jennie played a pivotal role, serving as one of its founders and its first president in 1915. Her daughter Nancy also became actively involved in Cumann na mBan.
The 1916 Rising:
As a senior figure in Cumann na mBan, Jennie played an active role in the preparations for the 1916 Rising. A room in the Wyse Power household was always available for the use of the Volunteer executive. According to the memoirs of Kathleen Clarke, widow of Tom Clarke, the Proclamation of the Irish Republic was signed at a meeting held in Mrs. Wyse Power's Henry Street residence during Holy Week of 1916. In commemoration of this event, a plaque was erected in 1991 to mark the 75th anniversary. In the days leading up to Easter Week 1916, several prominent rebels, including Jennie's friend Constance Markievicz, stayed at and visited the Wyse Power residence.
The Rising commenced on Easter Monday. The women of Cumann na mBan relayed messages to and from the rebels throughout the city, offering food, first aid, and shelter. While Jennie did not personally engage in combat, she and her daughter Nancy delivered food from the restaurant to the rebels in the GPO as late as Wednesday of Easter week. Following the Rising, one hundred members of Cumann na mBan were imprisoned. Jennie and her family endured significant hardships in 1916, as their home and belongings were destroyed in the fire that consumed 21 Henry Street. Additionally, they suffered the loss of many colleagues and close friends who were either killed or imprisoned. Further tragedy struck in July 1916 when Jennie's daughter Maura succumbed to lung disease at the age of twenty-eight.
Post-1916 Period:
In the aftermath of the Rising, Jennie provided assistance to the families of Republican prisoners, and she and her daughter played a role in reorganizing Cumann na mBan. The Irish Volunteer movement expanded rapidly to include 600 branches nationwide. The 1918 General Election saw Sinn Fein secure 73 out of the 105 available parliamentary seats. This historic election, the first since the Representation of the People Act 1918 granted voting rights to women (albeit those over the age of 30) and all men over 21, marked a significant shift in Irish politics. Constance Markievicz's election for Sinn Fein, with the support of Jennie and other members of Cumann na mBan, the Irish Women’s Franchise League, and the Irish Women’s Workers Union, was a notable achievement. Sinn Fein opted not to take seats in Westminster but instead convened Dail Eireann, holding its inaugural meeting at the Mansion House on January 21, 1919. The new government's authority was recognized across much of Ireland, and Republican courts were established in opposition to the Crown's courts, with Jennie serving as one of the judges in North Dublin city. She resumed her role as Sinn Fein treasurer in late 1919 and sat on the executive council.
In 1920, Jennie was elected as a member of Dublin Corporation. She adopted the Irish signature "Siobhan Bean an Phaoraigh," which sparked a dispute with the council clerk who argued that her non-English name disqualified her from taking her seat. Jennie successfully challenged this stance, earning admiration from witnesses like Kathleen Clarke, who noted her formidable defence. Throughout the guerrilla war known as the War of Independence, Jennie continued to support the nationalist cause, often providing sanctuary to men evading British authorities.
The Treaty:
Signed on December 6, 1921, the Treaty prompted deep reflection for Jennie. Ultimately, she chose to support it, viewing it as a step towards achieving greater independence. However, this decision set her apart from her peers in Cumann na mBan, as she was the only leading member to back the Treaty. Regrettably, this stance compelled her to resign from what she regarded as a formidable group of women. Constance Markievicz succeeded her as President of the organization, marking a significant shift within the movement. Although Jennie maintained some friendships with those who opposed the Treaty, the impact of this division cannot be overstated.
Recognizing the need for a platform to promote their viewpoint and assist in the establishment of the new state, Jennie and other pro-Treaty women formed Cumann na Saoirse (The League for Freedom) in March 1922. Jennie served on the provisional committee of this organization. The country was then engulfed in a bloody civil war from June 1922 to May 1923, leaving a lasting divide in Irish society for decades to come.
The Senator:
Nominated by William T. Cosgrave, Jennie became a member of the First Seanad, which convened in December 1922. She was sworn in on the same day as W.B. Yeats. Additionally, in 1922, she was appointed as an honorary Film Censor. Following the general election of 1922, Jennie was elected Vice President of Cumann na nGaedheal, the new party formed by pro-Treaty supporters. During its time in government, this party played a key role in establishing the institutions of the new Irish Free State, with Jennie participating in various government sub-committees. When Dublin Corporation was abolished in 1924, Jennie was appointed as one of the three commissioners tasked with running the capital.
In her Senate debates, Jennie displayed a deep concern for the welfare of Irish women, particularly regarding their employment and housing conditions. She vehemently opposed the Civil Service Regulation (Amendment) Bill, recognizing its potential to discriminate against women. Over time, Jennie grew increasingly disillusioned with the Cosgrave government, particularly regarding its handling of the Boundary Commission issue. Consequently, in 1925, she quietly left Cumann na nGaedheal and continued for some years as an independent senator. Her husband John passed away in 1926, following 43 years of marriage. Despite her busy schedule, Jennie remained connected with her relatives in Wicklow, particularly in Baltinglass. Tinnaclash, Kiltegan served as the resting place for many of her Wicklow relatives.
Jennie remained in the Senate until her retirement from public life in 1936. In her later years, she published her recollections of Anna Parnell, offering insights into her remarkable life and times.
Senator Jennie Wyse Power - Reputation and Legacy:
Jennie Wyse Power's passing on January 5, 1941, was mourned across the Irish political spectrum. Her funeral, attended by prominent figures including An Taoiseach and Mrs. de Valera, the Ceann Comhairle, senior government ministers, judges, senators, and representatives from various women's movements, including Cumann na mBan, reflected the immense respect and affection she commanded. She was laid to rest in the family plot in Glasnevin Cemetery, near the graves of her former republican comrades.
Jennie Wyse Power's grave at Glasnevin Cemetery Hailing from Baltinglass, Jennie emerged as one of her generation's most renowned, capable, and influential figures. Engaged at the forefront of Irish public life for over four decades, she navigated through some of the nation's most tumultuous times. Remarkably, she balanced her extensive public career with a bustling family life and business pursuits. Known for her pragmatism, outspokenness, and independent spirit, Jennie was unafraid to tackle challenging decisions head-on.
Offering a fitting tribute to Jennie Wyse Power, historian Ann Matthews, in the introduction to her 2010 book 'Renegades: Irish Republican Women 1900-1922', hailed her as "one of the most formidable and underestimated women in nationalist history."