Finding the Rebel Women of County Antrim

The early years of the twentieth century saw nationalists in County Antrim fighting for their survival during a war intended to achieve the complete separation of Ireland from Britain. In Belfast and in the isolated communities of the Glens of Antrim the republican women of Cumann na mBan played an essential role. Not only did they organise arms dumps, shelter men on the run, hide money and documents, provide weaponry for operations, care for the wounded and organise effective communication systems, they also paid the price in terms of raids and imprisonment. Their story has never before been told.

In this talk, feminist historian Dr Margaret Ward will discuss the new archival sources and the information from some of the relatives of these forgotten activists that has enabled her to construct compelling accounts of the courageous contributions of over fifty women.