1. Ellen Ryan was an Irish nationalist, Cumann na mBan organiser and County Councillor.
23 Facts About Nell Ryan
1. 2.
Nell Ryan was a member of the republican Ryan family of Tomcoole.
3.
Nell Ryan was arrested for anti-Treaty activity during the Civil War and went on hunger strike with other female prisoners.
4.
Nell Ryan was the first woman elected to Wexford County Council.
5.
Ellen "Nell" Ryan was born on 5 July 1881 in Tomcoole, County Wexford to John and Eliza Ryan.
6.
Nell Ryan was one of twelve siblings, all of whom received secondary school education and nine went on to university.
7.
Nell Ryan was educated as a boarder at Loreto College, Dublin.
8.
Nell Ryan became a teacher and taught in San Sebastian, Spain and Fulda, Germany for some years before returning to Ireland.
9.
Nell Ryan married Mairin Cregan, a member of Cumann na mBan.
10.
Nell Ryan joined Cumann na mBan in 1914 and was a regional organiser in Wexford.
11.
Nell Ryan was in Wexford when the Easter Rising began.
12.
Nell Ryan was held initially in Waterford Barracks with Kathleen Browne and subsequently moved to Richmond Barracks in Dublin.
13.
Nell Ryan was one of the few women who were subsequently deported to Lewes Prison, England, along with Winifred Carney, Helena Molony, Marie Perotz-Flanagan, Brid Foley and Countess Markievicz.
14.
Nell Ryan was one of the longest serving prisoners and was eventually released on 13 October 1916.
15.
On her return to Ireland, Nell Ryan resumed her activities with Cumann na mBan, where she reorganised and expanded branches in Wexford.
16.
Nell Ryan is commemorated in the 77 Women commemoration quilt created by The Yarn Project in honour of the women arrested and held in Richmond Barracks after the Rising.
17.
Nell Ryan was living in Tomcoole during the War of Independence and the family home became a headquarters for the Irish Volunteers.
18.
Nell Ryan was a dispatch rider during the war and was among those arrested for anti-Treaty activities.
19.
Nell Ryan became a member of Fianna Fail when it was established in 1926 and served on its national executive, representing south Wexford.
20.
Nell Ryan was active in local politics and joined the Wexford Harbour Board, Wexford Vocational Educational Committee and the Wexford Board of Health.
21.
Nell Ryan was the first women elected to Wexford County Council and served as Councillor from 1928 to 1954.
22.
Nell Ryan served on the council of Ui Cinsealaigh Historical Society.
23.
Nell Ryan died aged 78 in a nursing home in Wexford on 8 December 1959.