New portrait of 1916 activist Elizabeth O’Farrell to be unveiled

World renowned Irish artist Jim Fitzpatrick has made a new portrait of 1916 activist Elizabeth O’Farrell, the Cumann na mBan nurse who famously braved British Army gunfire on Moore Street to take Pearse’s surrender note to the British forces, and who remained a Republican all her life.

The new portrait has been made in support of the Moore Street Preservation Trust with a limited edition print produced for sale to aid the campaign to save the 1916 battlefield site. The print will be launched in the Oak Room of the Mansion House on Thursday 12 June (6.30pm). Cllr Mícheál Mac Donncha, Secretary of the Moore Street Preservation Trust said:

“The Moore Street Preservation Trust is deeply grateful to artist Jim Fitzpatrick for this unique work of art, a tribute to one of the leading women activists of Easter 1916, Elizabeth O’Farrell.

“Elizabeth O’Farrell epitomised the bravery and commitment of her generation. She was in the GPO in Easter Week and was with the evacuated garrison that occupied the terrace 10-25 Moore Street, before the surrender when she accompanied Pearse to meet the British Army commanders.

“It is an insult to the memory of Elizabeth O’Farrell and to that of her comrades that these buildings and the surrounding 1916 battlefield site are still under threat of demolition from a multi-national property company.“The Moore Street Preservation Trust is determined to save this historic quarter of our capital city and to advance our alternative plan. Funds raised from the sale of the Elizabeth O’Farrell Print will aid our campaign.”

• Elizabeth O’Farrell accompanied Pádraig Pearse to meet the British Army commanders