The Brave Anne Devlin

Barra Mac An Fhaili

When first asked to collate my views on a republican icon for international womens day I found it hard to single out one woman.

Even if you look back at the past 40 years there are so many women to choose from. If you take key significant events there are women who were to the fore in each case. Even collectively as opposed to individually women have been to the fore.

If you look at individual women people stand out such as Sheena Campbell ,Mairead Farrell, the volunteers of Cumann na mBan and going back to the early 19^th century , Tyrone native, Alice Milligan, who I have a great grá for.

But someone who I have been fascinated by was Ann Devlin from county Wicklow.

Anne Devlin, born in 1870 came from a family steeped in republican tradition. Some members of the family circle had taken part in the United Irishmen rebellion of 1798. Opinion is still divided on whether her father was one of these. What is known however is that her father and cousins were imprisoned following the failed Rebellion.

Whilst History would describe Anne Devlin as the ‘housekeeper for Robert Emmet’ she was much more. Anne herself had been a protagonist in the events of 1803. She helped Emmet organise towards the rebellion and ferry messages of communication across Dublin. Although the 1803 rebellion proved unsuccessful in driving the British from Ireland it ensured that further generations would attempt the same fate. The Young Irelanders would attempt the same mission some four and a half decades later.

Anne suffered terribly for her unshakable believe that Ireland should be free. Her devotion to the rebels and to Robert Emmet in particular was unbreakable.

Following the failed uprising of 1803 the British forces came searching for Emmet and searched his house that he had tenanted in Dublin. The only one present in the house was Anne Devlin. The soldiers demanded to know where ‘Mr Ellis’ was. ‘Mr Ellis’ was the alias used whilst tenanting throughout Dublin. Anne replied “I have nothing to tell; I’ll tell nothing.” On hearing this the soldiers stabbed her with bayonets and told her if she still refused to tell the whereabouts of ‘Mr Ellis’ she would be hung. Again Anne resisted and with a noose around her neck she was hung, the blood still running down her half naked body.

She lost unconsciousness and after a period of time was cut down in the mistaken belief that she was dead, but Anne was not dead. Following this incident Anne moved in with her cousin in Dublin where she stayed before being arrested just days later.

She was subsequently sent to Kilmainham jail and was offered huge sums of money and other incentives to reveal the whereabouts of Emmet but Anne continued to keep her silence. Her comrade, by now had become the subject of nationwide search. Unbeknownst to Anne Emmet had been captured and was held by the British.

Her family were also arrested and imprisoned in Kilmainham, including her father and mother as well as other siblings. In all 20 members of her extended family were imprisoned. Her nine year old brother died whilst in prison due to sheer neglect by the British jailers. Anne herself spent 3 years in prison, spending the majority of the time in solitary confinement.

Whilst imprisoned and during a brief exchange Emmet told Anne to tell the British what she knew as his fate was sealed. He argued that whatever information she gave them would be useless, however Anne, always true to her word never told the British of any of her activities or those of Emmet.

Days later Robert Emmet was hung, drawn and quartered, convicted of high treason.

It is claimed that Anne Devlin whilst on the way to Dublin Castle for questioning was brought to St. Catherine’s Church on Thomas Street. Anne was then apparently forced to see Robert Emmet's place of execution. It is further claimed that the blood of her close comrade Emmet lay scattered on the ground with animals lapping up the blood.

Anne Devlin was released, undefeated, from prison in 1806. However the deterioration of her health whilst imprisoned and the horrors she had endured was evident.

In the years following her release Anne Devlin married a man named Campbell, who died suddenly in 1845. In the following years Anne was cared for by her son. Anne died of poverty, neglect and destitution in Dublin in 1851. She was 70 years old.

As is the case with so many of Irelands Patriot dead their stories aren’t recorded and sometimes their existence is lost or forgotten. Anne Devlin was a woman who had courage, determination and endured terrible suffering. Yet all the time she remained a committed, idealistic woman, dedicated to playing her part for the freedom of Ireland. She had an unconquerable, courageous spirit.

There are many instances of people like Anne Devlin throughout Ireland, who have played their part in the struggle and as a result were tortured, suffered hardship, and torment. Many of these stories remain untold and in countless cases are lost to the passage of time.

As we celebrate international women’s day let us remember Anne Devlin and indeed all women who have played and continue to play a leading role in the struggle for the freedom of our country.

When Ireland takes her place amongst the nations of the world Anne Devlins role in the struggle can be fully honoured.

I gcuimhne ar Anne Devlin