Constance joins Sinn Fein
While living in Dublin, Constance and Casimir mixed with the writers and artists who were deeply involved in the Gaelic League and the Celtic Revival. Among them were W.B. Yeats, AE and Lady Gregory. Casimir became a successful portrait painter. Constance began to get involved in acting.
Arthur Griffith
Griffith, Arthur 1871 – 1922 was born in Dublin. He started his career as a printer, becoming a journalist and writer and finally a politician. Arthur Griffith was strongly influenced by Charles Stewart Parnell, Thomas Davis, and John Mitchel. He was a founding member of the Celtic Literary Society in 1893 and he was active in the Irish Republican Brotherhood (IRB) and the Gaelic League. He edited the weekly paper, the United Irishman in which he wrote editorials urging the Irish to work for self- government. In 1900, he founded Cumann na nGaedheal, a cultural and education association aimed at the promotion of Irish culture.
Arthur Griffith
Arthur Griffith
Griffith, Arthur 1871 – 1922 was born in Dublin. He started his career as a printer, becoming a journalist and writer and finally a politician. Arthur Griffith was strongly influenced by Charles Stewart Parnell, Thomas Davis, and John Mitchel. He was a founding member of the Celtic Literary Society in 1893 and he was active in the Irish Republican Brotherhood (IRB) and the Gaelic League. He edited the weekly paper, the United Irishman in which he wrote editorials urging the Irish to work for self- government. In 1900, he founded Cumann na nGaedheal, a cultural and education association aimed at the promotion of Irish culture.
It was through some friends in the theatre that Constance met Arthur Griffith, who opened her eyes to the Nationalist cause. She joined the nationalist party, Sinn Fein, in 1908 and from that moment onwards the fight for Irish freedom became her passion. In 1909, she established a Nationalist boy scout movement named 'Fianna Eireann' (which means Soldiers of Ireland).
Constance in the Fianna na hEireann uniform
This uniform was designed by Constance.
Copyright Sligo County Library.Constance in the Fianna na hEireann uniform
Copyright Sligo County Library.
Copyright Sligo County Library.
Constance in the Fianna na hEireann uniform
This uniform was designed by Constance.
Copyright Sligo County Library.
Constance's family life suffered and she lost almost all contact with her husband and also with her daughter Maeve, who was brought up in Lissadell by Constance's mother.
The Dublin Lockout
James Connolly
James Connolly worked together with Constance Markievicz and Jim Larkin during the Dublin Lockout to get more rights for workers. During the Easter Rising he was appointed Commandant-General of the Dublin forces.
Courtesy of the Irish Democrat Newspaper.James Connolly
Courtesy of the Irish Democrat Newspaper.
Courtesy of the Irish Democrat Newspaper.
James Connolly
James Connolly worked together with Constance Markievicz and Jim Larkin during the Dublin Lockout to get more rights for workers. During the Easter Rising he was appointed Commandant-General of the Dublin forces.
Courtesy of the Irish Democrat Newspaper.Constance became aware of the great gap between the rich and the poor when she met Jim Larkin and James Connolly, who were actively working to get more rights for workers in Dublin. During the large workers' strike, called the Dublin Lockout of 1913 - 14
The Dublin Lock Out
A picture of the Dublin Metropolitan Police charging through the strike accompanied with batons. This is also known as 'Bloody Sunday 1913'.
Copyright RTÉ Stills Library
Constance in Uniform
Courtesy of www.sligoheritage.com
Courtesy of www.sligoheritage.com
She set up and ran a soup kitchen in Liberty Hall for the families of those out of work. During the strike, the Irish Congress of Trades Unions set up the Citizen Army. This was to protect the workers who were often baton-charged and beaten by police. Constance became a member of the Irish Citizen Army and was made a staff-lieutenant by its leader James Connolly.
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