Alice Ryan and the Women of 8 Church Street Tipperary (1911-1923)

Alice Ryan (Ailís ní Riain) was President of 4th Battalion Cumann na mBan during the War of Independence, and the 2nd Southern Division Cumann na mBan during the Civil War. Alice ran a newsagent, grocer, tearoom, and boarding business at 8 Church Street Tipperary with her younger sister Katie who was also active. Alice and Katie were close to Sean Treacy. 8 Church Street was used as a Republican HQ until forced to close.

Alice and Katie's older sister Mary Quigley ran the Post Office and grocers business at 238 Merrion Road in Dublin. Mary's eldest daughters Kathleen and May Quigley spent time with their Aunts in Tipperary, and Grandparents in Donohill. Kathleen trained as a teacher at Carysfort where she was taught by Eamon De Valera, while May joined a convent in Wexford. May met Sean Treacy at 8 Church Street and they formed a close relationship. The British killed Sean in Talbot Street Dublin eleven days before their wedding day.

Alice Ryan's first cousins Maggie and Agnes V. Harding were also active in support of the Republican cause, Maggie in Tipperary Cumann na mBan where her family home was a provisioning centre and safe house, receiving supplies through family in Glasgow, and Agnes V. in Dublin where her Monument Creameries were used as Republican bases.

The women's personal writings, statements, and correspondence give insight into: the role of the women of 4th Battalion Tipperary Cuman na mBan in the War of Independence and Civil War, their connections in Dublin and Glasgow, and their relationships with Volunteer leaders including Sean Treacy, Dan Breen and Seamus Robinson. This document aims to build a picture of these women, their activities and their associates between 1911-23, the military pensions process, and wider context between 1850 and 1995.