“The stories of our revolutionary women cannot be forgotten to time”
Published on: 02 April 2026
Fianna Fáil Senator for Louth and chair of the Irish Women's Parliamentary Caucus, Alison Comyn, has called for a ‘coordinated effort’ to preserve the stories of the Members of Cumann na mBan.
Her call comes as she was speaking on the Fianna Fáil: In Our Own Words podcast with historian Anne Twomey a member of the Shandon Area History Group and co-author of the book Ordinary Women in Extraordinary Times (2020) and to women discuss Cumann na mBan’s importance in securing an independent Ireland, how this has been largely overlooked but is now being brought to the fore by the work of Anne and others across the country.
Speaking on the podcast, Senator Comyn said:
“While history often takes us to podiums and parliaments, the real action was happening in kitchens, back rooms and on doorsteps across Ireland. These women carried messages, hid documents, raised funds and kept the revolutionary movement alive and quite simply, it would not have succeeded without them.
“Nearly every family in Ireland has one of these stories, yet so many were never told. We now have a responsibility to ensure their legacy is preserved, recognised and passed on to future generations.”
Speaking, Anne Twomey said:
“These were ordinary women from all walks of life who stepped out of the shadows and became extraordinary. They ran the gauntlet of curfews, delivered messages, transported arms and provided what was effectively paramedic-level care to those on active service.
“Much of what they did was never recorded, and many were reluctant to speak about it afterwards. But what we are now uncovering is that there were two secret armies during the War of Independence, the Volunteers and Cumann na mBan, and both were essential.”
The podcast explores the vital but often overlooked role of Cumann na mBan during the War of Independence, the personal sacrifices made by women involved in the revolutionary period, and the challenges they faced in gaining recognition in later years.
It also highlights the importance of local history initiatives in uncovering untold stories and ensuring a more balanced understanding of Ireland’s past.
Fianna Fáil: In Our Own Words podcast episode on ‘Ordinary Women in Extraordinary Times’ can be found by clicking here: ‘Ordinary Women in Extraordinary Times’
ENDS
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Alison Comyn
