MáirÃn Cregan (27 March 1891 â€" 9 November 1975) was an Irish
nationalist who was involved in the 1916 Easter Rising and Irish War
of Independence. She later made her name writing for children, as well
as writing plays and novels for adults.Mary Ellen Cregan was born on
27 March 1891 in Killorglin, County Kerry to Morgan Cregan and Ellen
O'Shea. Her father was a stonemason from Limerick. The family were
strong believers in the Gaelic revival movement and Cregan herself
learned Irish and performed songs at Gaelic League concerts. Although
she went to primary school locally, she went away to secondary school
to St. Louis Convent in Carrickmacross, County Monaghan. After
finishing school, Cregan became a teacher, working in Goresbridge,
County Kilkenny from 1911 to 1914.[1][2]In September 1914 she went to
Dublin to study music in the Leinster School of Music, under Madame
Coslett Heller. It was while she was in Dublin that she became friends
with the Ryan family, who were strong nationalists as well as
interested in the Gaelic League and Sinn Féin. She began to sing for
concerts which were fundraisers for the Irish Volunteers. The last
concert was just two weeks before the Easter Rising.[1][2]
nationalist who was involved in the 1916 Easter Rising and Irish War
of Independence. She later made her name writing for children, as well
as writing plays and novels for adults.Mary Ellen Cregan was born on
27 March 1891 in Killorglin, County Kerry to Morgan Cregan and Ellen
O'Shea. Her father was a stonemason from Limerick. The family were
strong believers in the Gaelic revival movement and Cregan herself
learned Irish and performed songs at Gaelic League concerts. Although
she went to primary school locally, she went away to secondary school
to St. Louis Convent in Carrickmacross, County Monaghan. After
finishing school, Cregan became a teacher, working in Goresbridge,
County Kilkenny from 1911 to 1914.[1][2]In September 1914 she went to
Dublin to study music in the Leinster School of Music, under Madame
Coslett Heller. It was while she was in Dublin that she became friends
with the Ryan family, who were strong nationalists as well as
interested in the Gaelic League and Sinn Féin. She began to sing for
concerts which were fundraisers for the Irish Volunteers. The last
concert was just two weeks before the Easter Rising.[1][2]
Share this
SUBSCRIBE OUR NEWSLETTER
SUBSCRIBE OUR NEWSLETTER
Join us for free and get valuable content delivered right through your inbox.