Rose McNamara (10 September 1885 – 6 March 1957) was an Irish nationalist,

republican Republican can refer to: Political ideology * An advocate of a republic, a type of government that is not a monarchy or dictatorship, and is usually associated with the rule of law. ** Republicanism, the ideology in support of republics or agains ...

, and Vice Commandant during the

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 ...

of 1916.

Early life

Rose Anne McNamara was born to Benjamin McNamara, a van driver, and Johanna Mangan, at 8

Denmark Street Denmark Street is a street on the edge of London's West End running from Charing Cross Road to St Giles High Street. It is near St Giles in the Fields Church and Tottenham Court Road station. The street was developed in the late 17th centu ...

Dublin Dublin (; , or ) is the capital and largest city of Republic of Ireland, Ireland. On a bay at the mouth of the River Liffey, it is in the Provinces of Ireland, province of Leinster, bordered on the south by the Dublin Mountains, a part of th ...

, on 10 September 1885. Her father died in 1898. Rose was just 15.

Marie Perolz Marie Perolz (7 May 1874 – 12 December 1950) was also known as Mary Perolz and Máire Perolz, and as ''Miss Peroze'' in one crucial document. She was an advanced Irish nationalist, whose career mirrored that of her husband, James Michael 'Citiz ...

introduced McNamara to

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 ...

around 1906. Perolz's sister Delia was her sister in law. Delia was married to Matthew McNamara. McNamara joined

Sinn Féin Sinn Féin ( , ; en, " eOurselves") is an Irish republican and democratic socialist political party active throughout both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. The original Sinn Féin organisation was founded in 1905 by Arthur Gri ...

and became a member of

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 ...

when that formed out of the Inghinidhe na hÉireann. With them she marched in public parades, conducted demonstrations, learned to make field dressings and collected money for ammunition and equipment for the

Irish Volunteers The Irish Volunteers ( ga, Óglaigh na hÉireann), sometimes called the Irish Volunteer Force or Irish Volunteer Army, was a military organisation established in 1913 by Irish nationalists and republicans. It was ostensibly formed in respons ...

Revolution

On Good Friday 1916, in preparation for the

McNamara and others of the Cumann made field dressings. On the Monday her branch from Cumann na mBan were matched in full uniform to Emerald Square where they were given their instructions from

Éamonn Ceannt Éamonn Ceannt (21 September 1881 – 8 May 1916), born Edward Thomas Kent, was an Irish republican, mostly known for his role in the Easter Rising of 1916. Background Ceannt was born in the little village of Ballymoe, overlooking the River Su ...

. Rose served as Vice Commandant of the group who served 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. She spent the Rising with a number of roles, working as quartermaster for the men, acting as a spotter for the snipers and ensuring nursing facilities for the wounded. On Sunday, April 30 they were told of the surrender. McNamara, refused the opportunity to leave as part of the women who were considered less important to the British accepting the surrender and she and the rest of the Cumann na mBan marched between the male Volunteers and were duly arrested and imprisoned. ''“On the route to Richmond Barracks we were right behind Commandant

Thomas McDonagh Thomas Stanislaus MacDonagh ( ga, Tomás Anéislis Mac Donnchadha; 1 February 1878 – 3 May 1916) was an Irish political activist, poet, playwright, educationalist and revolutionary leader. He was one of the seven leaders of the Easter Rising ...

and Major McBride. When we reached somewhere about Kilmainham, both Major McBride and T. McDonagh said: "That's right, girls, sing away" and Major McBride said to me: "Sing away, girls. You'll be alright. You'll be out tomorrow", and I replied "and what about you" meaning all the men. He said, very sadly, "Ah no. We won't be out. We'll be shot".'' While they were in prison in

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 ...

they could hear the men being executed by firing squad as McBride had predicted. In the aftermath the members of the Cumann were disheartened but collected funds for the prisoner's dependents. In 1917 McNamarra was First Lieutenant of her branch. Military drills and training began again. In 1918 the branch, including McNamara were involved in the anti-conscription activities. During the Irish War of Independence McNamara worked with the other women in collecting funds, attending funerals and other parades and in protesting at the gaols where prisoners were on hunger-strike. in 1919 McNamara became Captain of her Cumann na mBan branch. Her role was to ensure nursing cover at first aid stations during planned ambushes. She was notified in advance to make sure the house was ready to receive any wounded men. Commandant Joe O'Connor and Seán Guilfoyle were working with her on these. In the

Irish Civil War The Irish Civil War ( ga, Cogadh Cathartha na hÉireann; 28 June 1922 – 24 May 1923) was a conflict that followed the Irish War of Independence and accompanied the establishment of the Irish Free State, an entity independent from the United ...

she served under

Countess Markievicz Constance Georgine Markievicz ( pl, Markiewicz ; ' Gore-Booth; 4 February 1868 – 15 July 1927), also known as Countess Markievicz and Madame Markievicz, was an Irish politician, revolutionary, nationalist, suffragist, socialist, and the firs ...

. She attended the events at the Four Courts where the Pro and Anti Treaty sides clashed. McNamara was on the Anti-Treaty side. She procured refreshments for the men and carried messages for them. The following day she was given orders to serve at the United Services Club. Fighting continued in the city over night. Rose McNamara died 6 March 1957.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:McNamara, Rose 1885 births 1957 deaths Women in war 1900–1945 Women in war in Ireland People of the Easter Rising People of the Irish War of Independence Military personnel from Dublin (city) Cumann na mBan members