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7 October 1999 Edition

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Remembering the Past: Molly O'Reilly

Molly O'Reilly was born in Gardiner Street, Dublin, in about 1900.

She became active in the national movement at an early age and joined na Clann na nGaedheal girl scouts in 1911, two years after its formation by May and Liz Kelly.

Appalled at the living conditions of Dublin's poor, she volunteered to assist the starving workers and their families during the Great Lock-Out of workers between August 1913 and February 1914, and with other members of Clann na nGaedheal she helped to organise a soup kitchen in Liberty Hall.

Deeply influenced by the writings and teachings of James Connolly, in early 1914 she joined the Irish Citizen Army. In July of that year, following the landing of arms and ammunition for the Volunteers from the Asgard at Howth, she hid dozens of rifles at her own home in Gardiner Street until they could be distributed to various safe dumps throughout the city.

On Easter Monday, April 23rd 1916, Molly O'Reilly marched with the Citizen Army contingent to occupy the GPO and throughout the week undertook the dangerous work of carrying despatches between the republican headquarters and Liberty Hall.

After the Rising she went to Yorkshire to study nursing but returned to Ireland three years later to fight in the Tan War. She joined Cumann na mBan and throughout the years 1919 to 1921 organised billets for IRA Volunteers on the run.

As an employee of the United Services Club in St Stephens Green, Dublin, (a club for British soldiers), she was able to provide Michael Collins, the IRA's Director of Intelligence, with invaluable information on the crown forces until the Truce.

Molly O'Reilly opposed the Treaty of December 1921 and took the republican side during the Civil War. Arrested in March 1923, she took part in the mass hunger-strike by republican prisoners later that year in demand for the general relaese of all political prisoners. After 16 days on hunger-strike along with 50 other women, she was released on 23 November. The following month, the remaining women prisoners and many of the male internees were released.

A staunch republican to the end, Molly O'Reilly died on 4 October 1950, 49 years ago this week.

An Phoblacht
44 Parnell Sq.
Dublin 1
Ireland