The Cumann Na mBan

 The Soldiers of Cumann na mBan. 

By Brian O'Higgins

All honour to ÓGlaigh na hÉireann, 

All praise to the men of our race, 

Who, in day of betrayal and slavery, 

Saved Ireland from ruin and disgrace. 

But do not forget in your praising, 

Of them and the deeds they have done, 

Their loyal and true-hearted comrades, 

The Soldiers of Cumann na mBan.

They stand for the honour of Ireland, 

As their sisters in days that are gone, 

And they'll march with their brothers to freedom, 

The Soldiers of Cumann na mBan.

No great-hearted daughter of Ireland, 

Who died for her sake long ago, 

Who stood in the gap of her danger, 

Defying the Sassenach foe, 

Was ever more gallant or worthy, 

Of glory in high sounding rann, 

than the comrades of ÓGlaigh na hÉireann, 

The Soldiers of Cumann na mBan!

O, high beat the hearts of our Mother, 

The day she had longed for is nigh, 

When the sunlight of joy and of freedom, 

Shall glow in the eastern sky; 

And none shall be honoured more proudly, 

That morning by chieftan and clan, 

Than the daughters who served in her danger, 

The Soldiers of Cumann na mBan! 

They stand for the honour of Ireland, 

As their sisters in days that are gone, 

And they'll march with their brothers to freedom,

The soldiers of the Cumann na mBan! 

 

  

 

    

Last year was the 100th anniversary of the founding of the ICA.
 This year is the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Cumann na mBan and I've compiled here a few resources for the occasion.
 As the following stories show, they were not just a "support group" but an integral part of the struggle, both social and armed, no less important than the IRA but far more unsung.
 When you wear your Easter Lilly this year, keep in mind the CnB volunteers who came up with the idea to use it as an emblem for remembering the dead.

 (Above photos from irishvolunteers.org)
 Some photos of their uniforms, badges, and memorabilia: http://www.theeasterrising.eu/150CumannNamBan/CumannnamBan.htm

 A summary of the org and its contributions (by Sally Richardson) http://www.irishdemocrat.co.uk/features/cumann-na-mban/

 There's also a good section in this essay on their methods and purpose: http://people.brandeis.edu/~norcio/Subverting%20the%20Empire.pdf

 http://www.easter1916.ie/index.php/people/women/

 The legendary Kitty McLaughlin: 
http://irishvolunteers.org/2011/12/kitty-mclaughlin-volunteer/

 Linda Kearns a nd co escape from the 'Joy: http://comeheretome.com/2010/04/17/the-great-escape-linda-kearns/

 CnB in Belfast/ 1916: http://www.bureauofmilitaryhistory.ie/reels/bmh/BMH.WS0179.pdf

 Mary Woods - Member of Dublin CnB. Valuable recollections covering 1895-1924. http://www.bureauofmilitaryhistory.ie/reels/bmh/BMH.WS0624.pdf

 Aine ni Riain- Dublin/1916 CnB http://www.bureauofmilitaryhistory.ie/reels/bmh/BMH.WS0887.pdf

 Eithne Coyle- Prominent postwar leader; of particular interest are her operations during '22 and her prison experiences: http://www.bureauofmilitaryhistory.ie/reels/bmh/BMH.WS0750.pdf

 Mollie Cunningham- founding member; good overview of the type of work the CnB did during the Tan War. http://www.bureauofmilitaryhistory.ie/reels/bmh/BMH.WS1681.pdf

 Sidney Czira- Grace Gifford's Sister: http://www.bureauofmilitaryhistory.ie/reels/bmh/BMH.WS0909.pdf

 Agnes MacNeill- widow of Eoin MacNeill http://www.bureauofmilitaryhistory.ie/reels/bmh/BMH.WS0213.pdf Aine O'Rahilly- sister of "The O'Rahilly" http://www.bureauofmilitaryhistory.ie/reels/bmh/BMH.WS0333.pdf

 Peg Duggan and the CnB in Cork http://www.bureauofmilitaryhistory.ie/reels/bmh/BMH.WS1576.pdf

 Kathleen Lynn- ICA and CnB assistant and First Aid advisor http://www.bureauofmilitaryhistory.ie/reels/bmh/BMH.WS0357.pdf