Born Constance Gore-Booth in 1868, Countess Markievich would go on to be one of Ireland's most famous female revolutionaries. She was born in London to the famous arctic explorer Sir Henry Gore-Booth.

Constance initially studied painting in London in 1893 where she became involved in the issue of suffrage for women, joining the 'National Union of Women's Suffrage Societies'.

In 1909 she established the radical 'Fianna Eireann' which was aimed at instructing a youth army in the use of firearms. She was jailed by the British authorities in 1913 after speaking at an IRB rally to protest the visit of George V to Dublin. She had also joined the Irish Citizen Army (ICA) established by James Connolly in response to the 1913 'lockout' of workers. She established soup kitchens and aid for the Dublin poor, often using her own funds.

The Countess participated in the Easter Rising of 1916 where she was second-in-command at the fight on St. Stephens Green. For her part in this she was jailed, only to be released in 1917.

In 1918, she was jailed again for her part in anti-conscription activities. At the 1918 general election, Markievicz was elected for the constituency of Dublin St Patrick's as one of 73 Sinn Féin MPs. This made her the first woman elected to the British House of Commons. However, in line with Sinn Féin abstentionist policy, she would not take her seat in the House of Commons.

In 1927 she died and was buried in Glasnevin Cemetery along with many of her fellow Irish patriots.



This documentary by Philip Rooney tells the incredible story of one of Ireland's most influential women.



First Broadcast May 15th 1960

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