Rose McNamara

Rose McNamara
Rose McNamara in Uniform
Born	Rose McNamara 10 September 1885 Dublin, Ireland
Died	6 March 1957 Dublin, Ireland
Nationality	Irish

Rose McNamara (10 September 1885 – 6 March 1957) was an Irish nationalist and Vice Commandant during the Easter Rising of 1916.

Rose McNamara was born to Benjamin McNamara and Johanna Mangan of Dublin on 10 September 1885. Her father died in 1898. Rose was just 15.

Marie Perolz introduced McNamara to Inghinidhe na hÉireann around 1906. Perolz's sister Delia was her sister in law. Delia was married to Matthew McNamara. McNamara joined Sinn Féin and became a member of Cumann na mBan when that formed out of the Inghinidhe na hÉireann. With them she marched in public parades, conducted demonstrations, learned to make field dressings and collected money for ammunition and equipment for the Irish Volunteers.

On Good Friday 1916, in preparation for the Easter Rising McNamara and others of the Cumann made field dressings. On the Monday her branch from Cumann na mBan were matched in full uniform to Emerald Square where they were given their instructions from Eamonn Ceannt. Rose served as Vice Commandant of the group who served in the garrison in the Distillery in Marrowbone Lane.

She spent the Rising with a number of roles, working as quartermaster for the men, acting as a spotter for the snipers and ensuring nursing facilities for the wounded. On Sunday, April 30 they were told of the surrender. McNamara, refused the opportunity to leave as part of the women who were considered less important to the British accepting the surrender and she and the rest of the Cumann na mBan marched between the male Volunteers and were duly arrested and imprisoned.

“On the route to Richmond Barracks we were right behind Commandant Thomas McDonagh and Major McBride. When we reached somewhere about Kilmainham, both Major McBride and T. McDonagh said: "That's right, girls, sing away" and Major McBride said to me: "Sing away, girls. You'll be alright. You'll be out tomorrow", and I replied "and what about you" meaning all the men. He said, very sadly, "Ah no. We won't be out. We'll be shot".

While they were in prison in Kilmainham Gaol they could hear the men being executed by firing squad as McBride had predicted.