Lucy Agnes Smyth

Lucy Agnes Smyth Byrne (1882–1972) was an officer in Cumann na mBan, an Irish republican women's paramilitary organisation, during the time of the 1916 Easter Rising. She played a prominent role in the organisation as she was the section leader of its Central branch, and eventually in later years became its 1st Lieutenant.

Early life

Lucy Agnes Smyth was born on 26 September 1882 at 107 Capel Street in Dublin. Her father James Peter Joseph Smyth was a brassfounder and her mother Mary Anne Smyth was a housekeeper. According to the 1901 census, Lucy was living with her family in Amiens Street. She was 18 and her occupation was listed as Millinery Saleswoman - at that point she was living with her parents, her sister Isabella (28) and her brother James Leo (20). At the time of the 1911 census, by which point her father had died, Lucy's parents had 9 children, 5 of which were still living - Lucy being the youngest. When Lucy's father died, her brother James Leo became head of the house. When they moved to the residence in Rutland Square, Rotunda, Dublin Lucy became a member of the local St. Mary's Parish in Rotunda West, Dublin. Lucy Smyth was also a fluent Irish speaker. At the time of the 1911 census her occupation was a typist.

Thomas F. Byrne and Smyth married on 28 April 1919. Shortly after they married they moved to Upper Eccles Street opposite the Mater Hospital. Early in 1920, Smyth and Byrne's first child died after a raid by the Black and Tans where Byrne was arrested and jailed. The couple were involved in the War of Independence. Her daughter Sheila wrote regarding her birth, "I should have been born in 1922, but my mother fell under the cat and I came early".

In a witness statement by Elizabeth Colbert, sister of Conn Colbert who was executed in 1916, she describes her encounter with Smyth and her brother's love for Smyth. After her brother's execution, Elizabeth visited her house and Smyth showed her the letters she had received from Colbert. Elizabeth then quickly learned of her brother's love for Smyth, he described her as "the nicest girl in Dublin". Elizabeth then claimed that her brother would have married her had he not been executed. Father O’Mahony, a local parish priest, informed Smyth of a package that Conn Colbert had handed him to be delivered to Smyth. In 1913, a number of women decided to hold a meeting in Wynne's Hotel for the purpose of discussing the possibility of forming an organization for women who would work in conjunction with the recently formed Irish Volunteers. The day of the rising, forty Cumann na mBan members including Smyth herself entered the General Post Office (GPO) on O'Connell Street, Dublin with their male counterparts. Smyth was awarded four medals, as well as the medal given to survivors on the 50th anniversary. Smyth was considered as an "ordinary" person who did extraordinary things.

Death

Smyth died at the age of 90, in November 1972. She is buried in Glasnevin cemetery in Dublin. She is buried along with her husband and son. Tom Byrne died 7 September 1962 aged 85 years old. Myles Byrne died in 1968 at the age of 41.