home / Jacob's Biscuit Factory, 1916 / witness statements and commentaries /

Eily O'Hanrahan O'Reilly - Commentary

Eily O’Hanrahan was the sister of Michael O’Hanrahan, who was executed for his part in the 1916 Rising. The earlier part of the statement describes her involvement with Cumann na mBan, and a journey she undertook to Enniscorthy, county Wexford, on the Wednesday before the Rising, to deliver a dispatch (sewn into the lining of her red fox fur) to the leader of the Volunteers there. She assumed this dispatch to be an order to rise. On her way back, she met Min Ryan, whom, she later concluded, had delivered a countermanding order. This was confirmed years later by the recipient of both, Seamus Doyle.

She paid a short visit to Jacob’s to report on a second trip to Wexford. Her brothers, Michael and Henry (Harry) were in the garrison. Later in the statement, she vividly describes visiting Michael in Kilmainham on the night before he was executed.