Mabel McConnell Fitzgerald facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Mabel McConnell Fitzgerald
Born	Mabel Washington McConnell 4 July 1884 Belfast, Ireland
Died	24 April 1958(1958-04-24) (aged 73) Blackrock, Dublin, Ireland
Education	Victoria College
Alma mater	Queen's University Belfast
Spouse(s)	Desmond FitzGerald
Children	4, including Garret

Mabel Washington Fitzgerald (born 4 July 1884, died 24 April 1958) was an important Irish woman. She believed in an independent Ireland (a republican), fought for women's right to vote (a suffragette), and supported fair treatment for all people (a socialist). She was involved in major historical events like the 1916 Easter Rising and the Irish War of Independence. Mabel was married to Desmond FitzGerald, who was also a politician, and she was the mother of Garret FitzGerald, who later became the leader of Ireland (called the Taoiseach).

Early Life and Education

Mabel Washington McConnell was born in Belfast, Ireland, on 4 July 1884. Her father, John McConnell, was a whiskey salesman, and her mother was Margaret Neill.

Mabel went to Victoria College for her early schooling. Later, she studied at Queen's University Belfast, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1906. While at Queen's, Mabel and her sister Eilis became very interested in Irish independence, women's rights, and socialist ideas. Mabel also loved the Irish language. She was a member of groups like the Women's Social and Political Union (which fought for women's votes), Sinn Féin (a political party), and the Gaelic League (which promoted Irish language and culture).

After university, Mabel worked as a secretary for the President of Queen's University. In 1908, she moved to London to get a teaching certificate. She also worked as a school teacher for a while. For a few months in 1909, she even worked as a secretary for the famous writer George Bernard Shaw. She remained friends with him and his wife for many years.

Family Life

Mabel met her future husband, Desmond FitzGerald, in London in 1910. They met at a language event organized by the Gaelic League. Mabel was very passionate about Irish independence, and Desmond soon joined her in her political activities.

Mabel and Desmond got married in 1911. They lived in France for a short time before moving back to Ireland in 1913, settling in Dingle, County Kerry. However, the British authorities suspected them of helping the Germans and made them leave Kerry. They then moved to Bray.

Mabel and Desmond had four sons: Desmond (born 1911), Pierce (born 1914), Fergus (born 1920), and Garret (born 1926). Their son Garret followed in his father's footsteps and became a very important politician in Ireland, serving as the Taoiseach (Prime Minister) twice.

Role in Irish Independence

Mabel McConnell Fitzgerald played an active part in Ireland's fight for independence.

The 1916 Easter Rising

During the 1916 Easter Rising, Mabel was at the General Post Office in Dublin, which was the main headquarters for the rebels. However, after a few days, Patrick Pearse, one of the leaders, asked her to go home. He believed that parents of young children should not both be in such a dangerous situation.

War of Independence Activities

In 1918, Mabel organized her husband Desmond's election campaign. At the time, Desmond was in prison for his nationalist activities. Mabel's campaign slogan was "Put Him In To Get Him Out." Her efforts were successful, and Desmond was elected to the Irish Dáil, the new Irish parliament. He refused to take his seat in the British Parliament in Westminster.

Later Life and Views

From 1918 to 1921, Mabel was on the executive council of Cumann na mBan, an Irish women's republican organization. She resigned in 1921.

When the Anglo-Irish Treaty was signed, Mabel did not support it, even though her husband Desmond was on the side that supported the Treaty. Her letters show that she remained against the Treaty, even when her husband became the Minister for External Affairs during the Irish Civil War. Over time, however, she began to agree more with her husband's views, especially after the assassination of Kevin O'Higgins, a pro-Treaty politician.

Mabel also taught at a school started by Louise Gavan Duffy. While Mabel chose to step back from political life to focus on raising her family, her husband Desmond continued his political career, becoming the Minister for Defence and a Senator. In 1943, Mabel converted to Catholicism. As she grew older, her political views became more traditional.