Finding aid databases

Circular from the Department of Justice to members of the Executive Council, 5 April 1930, transmitting copies of a memorandum concerning the activities of `certain Communist Organisations'. This includes details of the `Friends of Soviet Russia' and mentions, Kathleen Price, Sheila Bowen and Helena Molony. The memorandum discusses the `Irish Labour Defence League' and lists Maud Gonne McBride among the committee members. The committee members of the Women's Prisoners Defence League are listed, for example, Mrs Despard, Bridie O Mullane, Nurse Dora Maguire and Mrs Cusack, among others. The Committee and prominent members of Comhairle Poblachta are listed. This organisation, the memorandum states `is composed of the most violent and active extremists in the country and its sole object is the overthrow of the State by force of arms'. Among the members listed are, Miss ffrench Mullen, Mary MacSwiney, Maud Gonne McBride and Mary Comerford. Cumann na mBan, the memorandum reads, `exists for the purpose of assisting the militant Irregulars in their activities against the State. The memorandum names other organisations which it believes to have communist links and women feature prominently on the committee lists.

s 5074B

Circular

Memorandum from the Department of Justice, 2 September 1930, on `Friends of Soviet Russia'. This discusses the reception committee of the Irish section of the Friends of Soviet Russia set up following the invitation to four Russian workers from the Soviet to visit Ireland. Among the committee members are, Miss ffrench Mullen, Dr K Lynn, Bridie O'Mullane. Two representatives from the Women Prisoners' Dependants Fund are also on the Committee. The memorandum attaches a copy of a circular letter signed by Kathleen Price to all Trade Unions relating to the invitation.

s 5074B

Memorandum

Newsclipping from `Sceala Éireann', 15 April 1941, `Taoiseach's Souvenirs of 1916'. This deals with the 1916 Commemorative Exhibition at the National Museum. Madame McBride, the article states, gave, amongst other souvenirs, relics of Inghinidhe na h-Éireann and one of the Irish Brigade flags. Miss O Mullane and others gave details on Cumann na mBan.

s 9501A

Newsclipping

Letter to the Taoiseach, from Brighid Ni Mhaolain, Honorary Secretary, Eilis Bean Ui Conaill, Assistant Honorary Secretary, Association of Old Cumann na mBan, 28 July 1938. They ask for representation on the Seanad for two of their members, Miss Margaret Kennedy and Miss Brighid O'Mullane. `In times of National struggle and stress, Cumann na mBan worked unceasingly for their country, incurring much hardship, imprisonment and suffering, and therefore claim to have earned thro' [sic] this service and sacrifice the recognition now sought for Old Cumann na mBan.

s 10737

Letter

Copy letter to Brighid Uasal Ni Mhaolain, Honorary Secretary, Association of Old Cumann na mBan, 28 July 1938, acknowledging receipt of her letter in regard to the nomination of Miss ML Kennedy and Miss B O'Mullane to the Seanad.

s 10737

Letter

Letter to the Taoiseach from Delia Begley, ex -VP, ex - Battalion Officer, Ennis, member of the Executive Council, Old Cumann na mBan, Dublin, 3 August 1938. She writes on behalf of Old Cumann na mBan in County Clare asking him to put Miss Brigid O'Mullane on your panel for the Senate. She encloses details of her national record. She joined the organisation while in her teens and was elected to General Head Quarters Staff in 1918 to represent Connaught. In the same year she was appointed official organiser for Cumann na mBan and continued in this role until 1921. She was arrested twice and served two terms of imprisonment - in 1918 and 1920. After the Truce she was appointed Director of Propaganda and Publicity on the General Head Quarters Staff of Cumann na mBan. `After the surrender she was asked by the I.R.A. General Headquarters to take charge of their Publicity Dept. and did so; operating same successfully until November 1922 when she was arrested by Free State forces and imprisoned until October 1923. On her release she still continued as D/P. for Cumann an mBan and was again arrested by the Free State in 1926, in the course of this work and served another two months in Mountjoy Jail. She was always elected each year again to General Head Quarters of Cumann na mBan until she voluntarily resigned in 1927 although repeated representations were made to her not to do so. But she had made up her mind that Mr. de Valera should be given a chance and not obstructed in his work'.

s 10737

Letter

Copy letter to Miss D Begley, Ennis, 5 August 1938, acknowledging her letter in regard to the nomination of Miss Brigid O Mullane as a member of Seanad Éireann.

s 10737

Letter

Letter to de Valera from R Keeble, Dublin, 2 August 1938, writing on behalf of the old Cumann na mBan County Branches. She was former President and person in charge of first-aid at the Mullingar Branch formed in 1917. She is now a member of the Dublin South City Association of Old Cumann na mBan. She writes that the country branches of Old Cumann na mBan need a representative who can `verify and put forward genuine claims where organisation is weak and is impossible to get full working Branches together'. She argues that if Miss B O'Mullane was elected to the Senate that this would help to get `the grievances of the country women properly attend to. Miss O'Mullane is the only person who can speak with full knowledge of country claims for military services and the Board requires this for correct particulars on all claims made'.

s 10737

Letter

Letter to de Valera from Elizabeth Egan, OC, Kerry Cumann na mBan, 5 August 1938, asking him to nominate Miss Brigid O'Mullane for the Senate. She states that Miss O Mullane's national record is well known to him and to members of the Executive. She writes not only on behalf of Cumann na mBan but also on behalf of all supporters of Fianna Fail in Kerry.

s 10737

Letter

Copy letter to Miss R Keeble, Dublin, from the Secretary, Department of the Taoiseach, 6 August 1938, acknowledging her letter concerning the nomination of Miss Brigid O'Mullane to the Seanad.

s 10737

Letter