Marcella Cosgrave (30 April 1873 – 31 January 1938) was an Irish nationalist. She was a founder member of

Inghinidhe na hÉireann Inghinidhe na hÉireann (; "Daughters of Ireland") was a radical Irish nationalist women's organisation led and founded by Maud Gonne from 1900 to 1914, when it merged with the new Cumann na mBan. Patriotic Children's Treat The Inghinidhe origi ...

and

Cumann na mBan Cumann na mBan (; literally "The Women's Council" but calling themselves The Irishwomen's Council in English), abbreviated C na mB, is an Irish republican women's paramilitary organisation formed in Dublin on 2 April 1914, merging with and di ...

and took part in the 1916

Easter Rising The Easter Rising ( ga, Éirí Amach na Cásca), also known as the Easter Rebellion, was an armed insurrection in Ireland during Easter Week in April 1916. The Rising was launched by Irish republicans against British rule in Ireland with the a ...

and

Irish War of Independence The Irish War of Independence () or Anglo-Irish War was a guerrilla war fought in Ireland from 1919 to 1921 between the Irish Republican Army (IRA, the army of the Irish Republic) and British forces: the British Army, along with the quasi-mil ...

Background

Cosgrave was born at 4

Georges Quay George's Quay is a street and quay in Dublin on the southern bank of the River Liffey. It is located between Burgh Quay and Hawkins Street to the west, and City Quay and Talbot Memorial Bridge to the east. History and development Though ear ...

, Dublin, to Patrick Cosgrave, a sail maker, and Mary Whittaker. In 1901 she was living with her younger brother and older sister, Thomas and (Mary) Anne, in Georges Quay and keeping house for them. In 1911 Cosgrave, now a milliner, was living at Tara Street and filled out her census form in Irish.

Political activity

Cosgrave was a member of the Ladies Land League which had been founded to support the actions of the

Irish National Land League The Irish National Land League (Irish: ''Conradh na Talún'') was an Irish political organisation of the late 19th century which sought to help poor tenant farmers. Its primary aim was to abolish landlordism in Ireland and enable tenant farmer ...

. She was present at the founding of

on Easter Sunday, 15 April 1900. When Inghinidhe was dissolved and merged into Cumann na mBan in 1914, Cosgrave joined the latter organisation, serving in its Inghinidhe branch until her death.

1916 involvement

Along with 23 other women, Cosgrave served in the

in the

Marrowbone Lane Marrowbone Lane () is a street off Cork Street on the south side of Dublin, Ireland. History Naming convention The street is likely named after Marylebone in London; Pimlico is located right next to it, and other London-inspired street names ar ...

garrison, which was based in Jameson's Distillery, as Cumann na mBan quartermaster. The garrison had the responsibility to protect the rear of the

South Dublin Union A House of Industry was a workhouse in Dublin, Ireland which existed from its establishment by an act of parliament in 1703, "for the employment and maintaining the poor thereof." From 1729 the House of Industry also incorporated the foundlin ...

. As quartermaster, Cosgrave succeeded in obtaining a cow and her calves, which they milked to help feed the garrison. Once the volunteers surrendered, Cosgrave was arrested and was initially taken to

Richmond Barracks Richmond Barracks was a British Army barracks in Inchicore, Dublin, Ireland. It is now a cultural centre. History The barracks, which were named after Charles Lennox, 4th Duke of Richmond, were completed in 1810 and first occupied by the Briti ...

. From there they were transferred to

Kilmainham Gaol Kilmainham Gaol ( ga, Príosún Chill Mhaighneann) is a former prison in Kilmainham, Dublin, Ireland. It is now a museum run by the Office of Public Works, an agency of the Government of Ireland. Many Irish revolutionaries, including the leade ...

. She was kept there for 10 days. She was released on 8 May 1916.

After the Rising

Between the Rising and the

War of Independence This is a list of wars of independence (also called liberation wars). These wars may or may not have been successful in achieving a goal of independence. List See also * Lists of active separatist movements * List of civil wars * List of o ...

, many Inghinidhe branch members of Cumann na mBan were also involved in supporting the families of the men who remained in prison or had been killed. Cosgrave was a member of the Irish National Aid Association and Volunteer Dependents' Fund. Other Cumann na mBan activities included first aid and military training. They also collected money, initially for the dependants' fund and then later to enable the purchase of weapons for the

Irish Republican Army The Irish Republican Army (IRA) is a name used by various paramilitary organisations in Ireland throughout the 20th and 21st centuries. Organisations by this name have been dedicated to irredentism through Irish republicanism, the belief tha ...

. She also served in the War of Independence but very little information exists about her activities. However, her medal for that war is in the Kilmainham Gaol collection. Cosgrave died on 31 January 1938 at 3 Georges Street, Dublin. She is buried in

Glasnevin cemetery Glasnevin Cemetery ( ga, Reilig Ghlas Naíon) is a large cemetery in Glasnevin, Dublin, Ireland which opened in 1832. It holds the graves and memorials of several notable figures, and has a museum. Location The cemetery is located in Glasne ...

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Cosgrave, Marcella 1873 births 1938 deaths People from Dublin (city) People of the Easter Rising People of the Irish War of Independence Cumann na mBan members Women in war 1900–1945 Women in war in Ireland