Ann Matthews - Renegades: Irish Republican Women 1900-1922

This book is based in part on my PhD dissertation Women activists in Irish republican politics 19001941 which was completed in 2004 under the supervision of Professor Vincent Comerford at NUI Maynooth. Through the period of research and analysis of my findings Professor Comerford gave me unstinting support. Since I completed the PhD, I have carried on researching and discovered new archive material, which led me to re-evaluate some of my earlier work and in this I have been encouraged by Professor Comerford. I am deeply appreciative to him for the time and support he has given me over the years.

I would like to thank the staff of the History Department at NUI Maynooth, who have given me total support in my work over the years. Here I would also like to mention Dr Sinead McEnaney, who is a colleague and friend who over the years has listened to me talk about my work and gave the book its terrific title. Another friend and colleague is Rita Edwards, who encouraged me to keep participating by giving me a forum to speak about my work.

My introduction to women in republican politics took place in the Military Archives at Cathal Brugha Barracks in Dublin, when the late Commandant Peter Young introduced me to the Irish Civil War Captured Documents. He was keen that the story of women should be explored and when I saw the material I was hooked and he effectively introduced me to a life-long journey of research and investigation. I will always remember and appreciate him for that gift. During the long period of this study Commandant Victor Laing and his staff have continued to support me, and their professional interest, encouragement and friendship has sustained me through the years. Their support, both professional and personal is something that I appreciate very much.

Aside from the Military Archive, I used the sources from a wide range of archives. These were the Allen Library, the Cork City Museum, Cork Archives, Dublin City Library Archive, the Garda Archive Dublin, University of Limerick Archive, the National Archive, Dublin, the National Archives in Kew, London, the National Library Dublin, the Russell Library at NUI Maynooth, the College of Physicians, the Quaker Museum and University College Dublin Archive. Without exception, the staff in these repositories were supportive. Here I would like to mention a conundrum that I came across recently regarding the RIC files held in London. I have discovered that permission to use these files lies with the Garda Archive in Dublin, and so thank you to Inspector Patrick McGee of the Garda Archive for his permission to use this material.

I cannot finish without thanking family and good friends who during a time of personal crisis have given me absolute support, which enabled me to pursue my work. They include my brother San Matthews and my lifelong friend Rita Donnelly, who is like a sister to me. Other friends who kept me active are Jim and Peggy Cumberton, Tony Donnelly, Margo Dalton, Henry Dent, Breda Halligan, Kathleen Murphy, Moira Maguire, Nora Purcell and Fifi Smith, all in whose friendship I feel blessed.

Ben Halligan, my late husband, died a year after my PhD dissertation was finished. He was an immensely intelligent man who possessed the gift of a wonderful sense of humour, which was wicked and often bordered on the anarchic. He was a talented man who taught me how to use computers and brought me from the dark ages of taking notes with pencil and paper to the wonders of the computer. In addition, I learned a great deal about international military history from him. Here I would like mention my stepdaughter Suzy Halligan, who inherited many of her fathers qualities, in particular his determination and courage: she, like him, is an inspiration to me.

Finally, a thank you to my daughter Alison, her husband Tommy and my wonderful grandson Benjamin Emmett, whose love and support I treasure.

The members of the citizens committee who organised the childrens party for Queen Victoria on 7 April 1900.