An Cosantóir

www.military.ie THE DEFENCE FORCES MAGAZINE | 37 C umann na mBan (henceforth CnamB) was founded in April 1914 as a women's auxiliary organisation whose activities included: first aid; the transporta- tion and concealment of arms, ammunition and despatch- es; drilling; intelligence and propaganda work; providing for men on the run; prisoner network support and weap- ons care. The relationship between the CnamB and the Irish Volunteer leadership, has been explored in depth by historians, while the 2018 centenary commemorations drew considerable attention to questions of suffrage and female republicanism within the movement. However, there has been a distinct lack of research conducted on the militaristic aspects of CnamB as an organisation and the material culture surrounding CnamB, namely uniforms, badges and flags that survive in public and private posses- sion (Figs. 1-4). This paper will attempt to rectify this and shed light on the merits of interdisciplinary approaches to the study of military regalia. UNIFORMS: The first directive given by the CnamB Execu- tive on the question of coordinated attire came in Septem- ber 1914 when first-aid training sections were instructed to wear 'a washing frock, nurse's caps, aprons and cuffs. An armlet should be worn on the left arm with the words 'Cumann na mBan' printed, stencilled or embroidered above a green cross' (Fig. 1). Against the backdrop of the First World War in Ireland, this uniform was characteristic of several vol- untary nursing groups. However, the green cross armlet in particular sought to disassociate CnamB from other nursing organisations such as the British Red Cross and emphasise the group's republican sympathies. During the Easter Rising, there are several accounts of CnamB members acting under the auspices of the Red Cross flag or wearing a Red Cross armlet. However, there are no reporting sightings of the green cross during the Rising. The wearing of such items in combat may have singled individuals out as collaborators and left them susceptible to arrest by British forces. Cal McCarthy argues that the CnamB uniform was first worn in public at an aeridheacht in St. Enda's School, Rath- farnham in September 1915. Variants of the uniform were in fact modelled by Central Branch two months previously at the Wolfe Tone Annual Commemoration in Bodenstown and during the funeral of Jeremiah O'Donovan Rossa in Glasnevin Cemetery (Fig. 3). It was probably due to the hybrid quality and unkempt style of makeshift uniforms that the CnamB Executive sought to set a standard. At the CnamB Annual Convention in October 1915, the Executive recommended an optional uniform of 'a coat and skirt of Volunteer tweed and hat of same. Four pockets in coat, skirt at least seven inches off the ground, tweed or leather belt, haversack with first aid outfit' (Fig. 4). Members were pressed upon to purchase fabric of Irish manufacture and Mary F. Hegarty of Harcourt St, Dublin was one seamstress who specialised in the making of CnamB outfits. The acquisition of a uniform depended upon one's eco- nomic means and personal skills. Eileen McGrane purchased her uniform from Harry Boland who operated a tailoring business on Middle Abbey St, Dublin while Annie O'Brien worked feverishly throughout Holy Week 1916 trying to finish her uniform coat in time for Easter Sunday. A CnamB uniform formerly on loan to the National Museum of Ire- land, Collins Barracks, bore a label stating that it had been 'made in Dublin by Co-Op Workers'. This suggests an un- CUMANN NA MBAN REGALIA BY AILBHE ROGERS & PAUL GOSLING Uniforms, Badges & Flags, 1914-1923 Fig. 1: Emily Elliot wearing a Cumann na mBan uniform, badge and first aid armlet. Photo courtesy of Kilmainham Gaol Archives, 17PO -1A24 -17.

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