Marie Perolz facts for kids

Marie Perolz (born May 7, 1874 – died December 12, 1950) was an important Irish nationalist. She was also known as Mary Perolz or Máire Perolz. Her life and work were similar to her husband, James Michael 'Citizen' Flanagan, and her friend Constance Markievicz. Marie was a member of a group for radical women called Inghinidhe na hÉireann (which means Daughters of Ireland). She also joined Cumann na mBan, which was a women's group that helped the Irish Volunteers.

Mary Perolz was born in Limerick on May 7, 1874. She was the third child of Richard Perolz and Bridget Carter. Her father and great-grandfather were printers. This background helped her in her later work with writing and publishing.

She joined Inghinidhe na hÉireann when it started in 1900. She was part of a special committee led by Maud Gonne and later Constance Markievicz. Other members included the Gifford sisters and Helena Molony. Marie also encouraged other women, like her relative Rose McNamara, to join the group. She was often involved in theatre. In December 1902, she acted in the first play ever performed in Irish in Dublin. She played the character Meadda in Eillis agus an Bhean Deirce (Ellis and the Beggar Woman).

Marie, or Perolz as her friends called her, taught Irish history and language. These classes were for Dublin schoolchildren and were organized by Inghinidhe na hÉireann. They were held at night using lantern light. Marie and Helena Molony were strong supporters of the Liberty Players and National Players theatre groups. They worked with a young actor named Captain Sean Connolly, who later died in the Easter Rising.

Marie Perolz: Activist and Revolutionary

By 1916, Marie Perolz was deeply involved in the movement for Irish independence. She had joined Cumann na mBan and the Irish Citizen Army. Her friend Constance Markievicz was a leader in the Citizen Army. Marie was also a friend of James Connolly and knew Jim Larkin. Both were important leaders of the Irish Transport and General Workers' Union. Marie worked for the Irish Women Workers' Union (IWWU). She attended important meetings for this union.

Marie Perolz was officially listed as the owner of Spark. This was a weekly socialist newspaper published from February 1915 to April 1916. Constance Markievicz edited the paper. In March 1916, Marie spoke at an important public meeting. Markievicz was not allowed to speak because of a law called the Defence of the Realm Act 1914. So, Marie read Markievicz's speech and explained why Markievicz could not be there. She also answered questions from the audience.

Her Role in the Easter Rising

During the Easter Rising in 1916, Marie Perolz carried a very important message. She took a secret note from Patrick Pearse to Waterford, Cork, Limerick, and Tipperary. The message was to call out the troops for the Rising. She also arranged for six other people to carry the same message around the country. As she cycled through Cork, she met Tomás Mac Curtain and Terence MacSwiney. Their car had broken down. They were on their way to tell volunteers that the Rising was cancelled.

Marie had a secret message from Pearse written inside a small pocket book. It said: "We go into action at noon today. PHP." The initials surprised Mac Curtain and MacSwiney. They had expected a full signature. Marie managed to get back to Dublin by Wednesday of Easter Week.

After the Rising and Imprisonment

After the Easter Rising, Marie Perolz hid in Tralee. But she was found and arrested on May 2, 1916. She was taken to Dublin Castle and then imprisoned at Mountjoy Jail. She was accused because she was the 'owner' of James Connolly's Spark newspaper. They called it a 'seditious' paper, meaning it encouraged rebellion. This was a very serious crime.

On June 5, General Maxwell was waiting for orders to send her to England. Constance Markievicz was sent to Oxford Jail. Kathleen Lynn went to Bath women's prison. James Connolly's secretary, Winifred Carney, went with Marie, Helena Molony, Brighid Foley, and Ellen Ryan to Aylesbury Prison. Out of 73 women arrested, these were the only ones sent to prison in England after the Rising. They left Dublin on June 20, 1916. Marie Perolz was sent to Lewes Prison.

When they arrived in England, the women had seven days to challenge their sentences. Their appeals were sent to a judge in London.

Marie's arrest caused a stir in her family. Some relatives decided to change their last name to 'Prole' to distance themselves from her. After questions in the British parliament and a court appearance, Marie Perolz and Brighid Foley were released in July 1916. They were given travel tickets to go home to Ireland, landing at Dún Laoghaire. Right away, Marie became the Acting President of the Irish Women Workers' Union, taking Markievicz's place. She traveled to England to meet her friend when Markievicz was released from Aylesbury Prison on June 17, 1917. Marie then went back to Ireland with her.

Personal Life

In 1919, Marie Perolz and James Michael Flanagan fell in love. He was a leftist known as 'Citizen Flanagan'. They moved to live at 127 Botanic Road, Glasnevin, Dublin. Marie continued to work for women's rights in the labor movement. They got married in 1919. Marie Perolz passed away on December 1, 1950.