Margaret Dockrell facts for kids

Lady Margaret Dockrell (born Margaret Shannon) was an important Irish woman. She was born on March 18, 1849, and passed away on June 29, 1926. Margaret was known for her work as a suffragist, which means she fought for women's right to vote. She was also a philanthropist, someone who helps others through donations and good deeds. Later in her life, she became a councillor, a person elected to make decisions for a local area.

Who Was Margaret Dockrell?

Her Early Life and Education

Margaret Shannon was born in Dublin, Ireland. She was the oldest of five children. She went to Alexandra College, a school for girls. Later, she attended special lectures for women at Trinity College Dublin. This was a big deal because not many women had these chances back then.

Starting a Family and Business

In July 1875, Margaret married Maurice Edward Dockrell. They had seven children together: one daughter and six sons. Margaret also became involved in her husband's family business, Messrs Thomas Dockrell & Sons & Co. Ltd. She was a director and part of the company's board.

Margaret Dockrell's Political Work

Fighting for Women's Rights

Margaret Dockrell was very active in the Dublin Women's Suffrage Association. This group was started in 1876. Its main goal was to help women get the right to vote using peaceful methods. Margaret traveled to international meetings about women's suffrage. She went to conferences in Stockholm in 1911 and Budapest in 1913.

She also joined the London Women's Suffrage Society. In 1899, she spoke at the International Congress of Women in London. She talked about how important women's roles were in local government. A newspaper called The Irish Citizen even suggested she should run for a senate seat in 1912.

Becoming a Local Councillor

Margaret believed that women were good at solving problems related to health, community well-being, and housing. In 1898, a new law in Ireland allowed women to run for local government elections.

Margaret decided to run for a council position in Monkstown, a part of Blackrock, County Dublin. She won! She was one of only four women elected as councillors in Ireland that year.

Her Role in Local Government

Margaret Dockrell was a unionist and a Protestant. She served on the Blackrock Urban District Council (UDC) until she passed away. For a long time, she was the only woman on that council. In 1906, she made history again. She became the first woman to be the chair of a UDC. This meant she led the council meetings and decisions.

Her Later Years and Legacy

Continuing Her Public Service

Even with all the changes happening in Ireland in the early 1900s, Margaret stayed committed to local politics. In 1920, she became the first woman elected to a Dublin county council. She worked with the new Irish Free State government, even though she remained a unionist.

After her husband was made a knight, Margaret was also known as Lady Dockrell. She died on June 29, 1926, at her home in Monkstown. She is buried in Deans Grange Cemetery.

A Family of Public Servants and Athletes

Margaret's family continued her legacy. Her son, Henry Morgan Dockrell, also became a politician. Another son, George, was an Olympic swimmer. He competed in the 1908 Summer Olympics. Margaret's granddaughter, Marguerite Dockrell, who was Henry's daughter, also swam for Ireland in the Amsterdam Olympics in 1928.