Geraldine Plunkett Dillon facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Geraldine Plunkett Dillon
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Dillon with her husband in 1940
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| Born | 1891 Dublin, Ireland
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| Died | 13 May 1986 (aged 94–95) Dublin, Ireland
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| Nationality | Irish |
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| Relatives | 6 siblings, including Joseph Mary Plunkett, Fiona Plunkett and George Oliver Plunkett |
Geraldine "Gerry" Plunkett Dillon (1891–1986) was a brave Irish republican and a member of Cumann na mBan. This was a women's group that played a big part in Ireland's fight for independence. She is well-known for her book All in the Blood, which tells her life story. Geraldine was also the sister of Joseph Mary Plunkett, who was one of the leaders who signed the 1916 Proclamation of the Irish Republic.
Contents
Early Life and Family
Geraldine Mary Germaine Plunkett, known as Gerry, was born in Dublin, Ireland, in 1891. She was the fourth of seven children born to Count George Noble and Mary Josephine Plunkett. She had three sisters: Philomena, Mary, and Fiona. She also had three brothers: Jack, George, and Joseph. Joseph was also known as Joseph Mary Plunkett.
The Plunkett family lived in several homes in Dublin. Geraldine helped care for her brother Joseph when he returned from traveling in 1912. He had been sick with the flu. They lived together at 17 Marlborough Road, which was one of the family's properties.
Geraldine's Role in Irish Independence
Geraldine's brother, Joseph, was a key figure in the 1916 Proclamation. Geraldine strongly supported his work with the Irish Volunteers and the Irish Republican Brotherhood. These groups were fighting for Ireland's freedom.
Helping the Cause
In February 1914, Geraldine helped to secretly bring explosives and ammunition into Dublin. She received two bags from Liam Mellowes. She also became friends with Michael Collins. She met him through Joseph in 1915. Michael Collins helped her manage the family's money and property while her mother was away.
In 1916, Geraldine lived with Joseph at Larkfield House in Kimmage. The land around this house was used as a training camp for the Irish Volunteers. Before Easter 1916, many Volunteers from London, Liverpool, and Glasgow stayed at the house. Joseph gave Geraldine a pistol, which she carried with her all the time.
Wedding and the Easter Rising
On Easter Sunday, April 23, 1916, Geraldine married Thomas Dillon. He was a chemistry teacher she had met at University College Dublin. Their wedding took place in Rathmines Church. Her brothers, George and Jack, wore their Volunteer uniforms. Rory O'Connor was the best man.
The wedding caught the attention of British forces. Two "G-men" (British agents) were removed from the church by Rory O'Connor and the Plunkett brothers. Joseph had planned to marry Grace Gifford at the same time, but he was busy preparing for the Easter Rising.
Thomas Dillon was also meant to take part in the Rising. He was told to go to the Imperial Hotel on O'Connell Street with Geraldine after the wedding. The hotel was chosen because it had a good view of the General Post Office (GPO). The GPO was the main center of the Rising. Thomas, being a chemist, was supposed to be in charge of any chemical factories the Volunteers captured. This would help them make weapons.
However, this plan did not happen. Instead, the couple watched the events unfold from the hotel. Rory O'Connor visited them to give updates. Geraldine asked to join the fight at the GPO, but Joseph said no. He ordered them to go back to Larkfield House to start making explosives. They cycled back through lines of British soldiers. The last time Geraldine saw her brother Joseph was when he was blowing up an empty tram with a homemade bomb.
After the Rising
After Joseph was executed, the Plunkett siblings continued to be active in groups like the Irish Republican Army and Cumann na mBan. In June 1916, Geraldine published a book of her brother Joseph's poems. She had been named his literary executor.
Geraldine was present at the first meeting of Dáil Éireann (the Irish Parliament) at the Mansion House in January 1919. Her husband, Thomas, was often in prison or hiding because of his republican activities. He was held in Gloucester prison from May 1918 to January 1919. Geraldine traveled to Gloucester when she heard that the prison had been affected by the Spanish flu. She found her husband had been moved to a hospital. With help from Michael Collins, she got him and another prisoner released.
Life in Galway
When her husband became a Professor of Chemistry at University College, Galway, the family moved to Galway city. Geraldine had helped him get this job while he was still in prison. They first lived in Dangan House and later in Barna. Their home in Barna was used for Sinn Féin Court sessions, with her husband acting as a judge.
In Galway, Geraldine became a member of Cumann na mBan. She also worked as an intelligence agent for Michael Collins. She organized and sent secret reports for the IRA commanders in Connemara.
The Dillons saw a lot of violence in Galway from the Royal Irish Constabulary and the Black and Tans. Because of her husband's connections to the IRA and her own activities, their house was often searched.
Arrest and Recognition
Geraldine was arrested on Easter Monday, March 28, 1921. She was caught carrying literature from the White Cross. She was imprisoned in Galway Gaol for three months. Her husband was already in hiding, so their children were left with a servant. Geraldine protested that her children were not allowed to live with her in prison, which was usually allowed. This issue was even brought up in the House of Commons, and she was released.
Later, Geraldine was awarded two medals for her service: the Service Medal and the Truce Commemorative Medal.
Other Work and Writing
Geraldine Plunkett Dillon had many talents. In 1916, she gave a presentation at the Royal Irish Academy. She also wrote for the Encyclopedia Britannica on the topic of dyes. She published a book of poetry called Magnificat and contributed to the Book of St Ultan.
She was a founding member of Taibhdhearc na Gaillimhe, a famous Irish-language theater. She also helped start the Galway Art Club, where she showed her own art. In 1928, she made costumes for the well-known actor Micheál Mac Liammóir. The famous sculptor Oisín Kelly said that Geraldine was the reason he chose to become a sculptor.
Death and Legacy
After her husband retired, Geraldine and Thomas lived apart for a while. Later, they moved to Dublin to live with their daughter. Geraldine died on May 13, 1986, in Dublin. She is buried with her family in Glasnevin Cemetery. Geraldine had five children: Moya, Blanaid, Eilís, Michael, and Eoin. One of her sons died when he was three years old.
Geraldine kept a large collection of family papers, including documents from 1850. She also kept detailed notes and diaries until her death. An edited version of her memoir, All in the Blood, was published in 2006. It was edited by Honor Ó Brolcháin, her granddaughter.
A one-woman play called Mamó: A Story of Geraldine Plunkett Dillon was written and performed by Isolde Ó Brolcháin Carmody. She is Geraldine's great-granddaughter. Some of Geraldine's important papers are kept at the National Library of Ireland.
