Brigid Foley facts for kids

Brigid Foley (born April 14, 1887 – died June 28, 1970) was an important Irish woman who believed strongly in Ireland's independence. She was one of only five women held in Lewes prison because of her involvement in the Easter Rising of 1916.

Early Life and Activism

Brigid Foley was born in 1887 in Killeagh, County Cork, Ireland. Her parents, Richard Foley and Margaret Long, spoke Irish. When she was 15, Brigid moved to Dublin for school. There, she joined the Keating Branch of the Gaelic League. This group worked to keep Irish language and culture alive. Her siblings, Nora, Cait, and Micheal, were already members. Her family in Dublin ran a business called the Foley Typewriter Trading Company.

Joining Cumann na mBan

In 1915, Brigid joined Cumann na mBan, a women's organization that supported Irish independence. She took part in many activities. These included learning First Aid, carrying important messages, and even helping to move weapons when needed. She often acted as a messenger between Seán Mac Diarmada, a leader of the Rising, and her brother. Her brother worked in Birmingham, England, making ammunition.

Brigid also helped Liam Mellows return to Ireland after he had been sent away from England. During Holy Week before the Easter Rising, she traveled to Cork. She carried secret messages for Tomas McCurtain and a lawyer. Brigid usually made sure she didn't know what was in the messages. This way, she could react better if British police questioned her. On one trip, police searched and held her, but they didn't find the messages. She managed to avoid detectives and deliver her important papers.

Brigid also helped move weapons stored in Drumcondra, Dublin. She and Effie Taafe were part of a group that helped transport these items. On another occasion, she carried money for Séamus O'Connor, another key figure.

The Easter Rising and Imprisonment

When the Easter Rising began in Dublin, Brigid Foley was back in the city. She worked tirelessly, delivering messages from the General Post Office (GPO). The GPO was a main rebel stronghold. She carried messages to different leaders around the city. Later, she was sent to set up a first aid station to help injured volunteers.

Arrest and Time in Prison

Brigid was arrested on the same day that Tom Clarke, one of the Rising's leaders, was executed. She was first taken to Ship Street barracks, then Richmond Barracks, and finally Kilmainham Gaol. Many other women were also held there. After some time, the women were moved to Mountjoy Prison.

Brigid Foley was then sent to HM Prison Lewes in England. She was one of five women held there. The other women were Marie Perolz, Helena Molony, Nell Ryan, and Winifred Carney. Brigid and Marie Perolz were released earlier than the others. This happened after their situation was brought up in the British Parliament. It turned out that Brigid was being held because of a misunderstanding about weapons in Kerry.

After returning to Ireland, Brigid started organizing care packages for the men still in prison. While they were in Kilmainham, Marie Perolz later said that Brigid helped her survive. Marie had become very sad listening to the executions of the leaders.

Family Support During Imprisonment

While Brigid was in prison, her sister continued to run the family's typewriter business. The offices had been damaged during the Rising. Their landlord was very kind and refused to take rent until Brigid and her brother were released from prison. While she was in prison in the UK, a Member of Parliament named Alfie Byrne visited her.

After the Rising

After the prisoners were released, there was a quiet period. However, the Conscription Crisis of 1918 brought new energy to the fight for Irish independence. This was when the British government tried to force Irish men to join the army during World War I. Brigid was part of the Phibsboro Committee, which worked against conscription.

Brigid was present at the opening of the Dáil (the Irish Parliament) on January 21, 1919. She continued to run her family business. She also offered her business, her car, and her offices to the Irish volunteers whenever they needed them. Her business was attacked many times during the period known as the Black and Tan period. This was when British forces tried to control Ireland.

Brigid and her husband often hid people who were on the run from the authorities. They were also present at Croke Park during the tragic events of Bloody Sunday (1920). This was a day when British forces fired on a crowd at a Gaelic football match.

Brigid Foley married Joseph J. Martin in June 1918. In 1925, she and her husband moved to London. Joseph Martin passed away in 1963. Brigid Foley died in 1970.