Iris Cummins facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Iris Cummins
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| Born |
Iris Ashley Cummins
6 June 1894 Cork, Ireland
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| Died | 30 April 1968 (aged 73) Dublin, Ireland
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| Nationality | Irish |
| Occupation | Engineer |
Iris Ashley Cummins (born 1894, died 1968) was an amazing Irish woman. She was the very first female engineer to graduate from University College Cork (UCC). She was also a talented international hockey player!
Contents
Early Life and School Days
Iris Cummins was born on June 6, 1894, in Glanmire, County Cork. Her father, William Edward Ashley Cummins, was a professor of medicine at University College Cork. Iris grew up in a big family with five sisters and six brothers.
Some of her sisters also achieved great things. For example, her sister Jane became a medical doctor. Another sister, Mary, became a gynaecologist, which is a doctor who specializes in women's health.
Studying Engineering
Iris started studying at UCC in 1912. Back then, very few women went to college. Out of 420 students, only 78 were women. She worked hard and earned her engineering degree in 1915.
While she was studying, Iris was also the editor of the Journal of the Engineering Society. This shows she was a leader even in her student days.
Hockey Star
Iris was a fantastic hockey player. While at college, she played for the Ireland hockey team. She first played for Ireland in 1914. She also led her college team to win the Munster cup!
In 1925, Iris was the captain when the Irish hockey team toured the United States. During this trip, the team was even invited to visit the White House. They met the US President, Calvin Coolidge.
Working as an Engineer
After graduating, Iris worked in different places during the First World War. From 1915 to 1916, she worked at the Royal Arsenal, a munitions factory in London. She also worked at the Vickers factory and in a shipyard in Scotland.
After the war, she returned to Cork. At first, it was difficult for her to find engineering work there.
Starting Her Own Business
In 1924, Iris decided to open her own engineering business in Cork. She ran her private practice until 1927. That year, she got a job with the Irish Land Commission in Dublin.
She moved to Dublin for this new job. Even though she visited Cork, she never lived there again. Iris retired from the Land Commission in 1954.
Breaking Barriers for Women
Iris Cummins was a true pioneer for women in engineering. In 1927, she became the very first woman to join the Institution of Civil Engineers of Ireland. This was a huge step for women in the field!
She was also a council member of the Women's Engineering Society. She joined this group right when it started. In December 1919, Iris wrote an encouraging article in the first issue of their journal, The Woman Engineer. She shared her experiences to help other women thinking about becoming civil engineers.
She wrote another article in 1920 called "The Suitability of Women for the Engineering Industries". Twenty years later, in 1940, she wrote about her experiences as one of the first women engineers in Ireland. She even told a funny story about a farmer who thought she could fix his electric light because she was an engineer!
Iris Cummins passed away on April 30, 1968, in Dublin.
Remembering Iris Cummins
University College Cork honored Iris Cummins by naming their Civil Engineering Building after her. This way, her pioneering spirit and achievements will always be remembered.
