15 July-Countess Constance Markievicz

Countess Constance Markievicz was declared the first woman in history to be elected to the British House of Commons following the General Election of 1918. She was elected for the constituency of Dublin St Patrick’s. She stood for election whilst in Holloway prison in London. In line with the abstentionist policy adopted by the 73 elected Irish nationalist MPs she did not take her seat.

Countess Markievicz was born Constance Georgine Gore-Booth on February 4th 1868. She was the daughter of Sir Henry Gore-Booth of Lissadell House in Co Sligo. She married Count Markievicz, a Polish prince whilst studying art at Académie Julian in Paris. She was involved in the suffragette movement and, became involved in nationalist politics in 1908. She played an active role in the 1916 Easter Rising.

Following the Irish War of Independence the Anglo-Irish Treaty was signed on December 6th 1921. The Treaty was ratified by Dáil Éireann on January 7th 1922. Those who lost the vote in parliament and were opposed to the treaty were led by Éamon de Valera. They walked out of parliament, took arms in opposition to the treaty and civil war ensued. Countess Markievicz joined the anti-treaty group and played an active part in the Civil War. The Fianna Fáil party was founded by de Valera in 1926. Countess Markievicz joined Fianna Fáil and was elected to Dáil Éireann in 1927. She died five weeks later.

Countess Markievicz died at the age of 59 in the year 1927 On This Day.

Countess Markievicz-Glasnevin Cemetery

 

 

 

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

*