Nell Ryan

Ellen Ryan (5 July 1881 – 8 December 1959) was an Irish nationalist, Cumann na mBan organiser and County Councillor. She was a member of the republican Ryan family of Tomcoole. Despite not being involved in the 1916 Rising, she was arrested and imprisoned. On release she joined Sinn Féin and was a regional organiser for Cumann na mBan in Wexford. She was arrested for anti-Treaty activity during the Civil War and went on hunger strike with other female prisoners. She was the first woman elected to Wexford County Council.

Early life and family Ellen "Nell" Ryan was born on 5 July 1881 in Tomcoole, County Wexford to John and Eliza (née Sutton) Ryan. She was one of twelve siblings, all of whom received secondary school education and nine went on to university. Nell was educated as a boarder at Loreto College, Dublin.

Ryan and her family "played an important role in revolutionary politics and helped shape the new Free State." Her sister Josephine was a founding member and secretary of Cumann na mBan and her sisters Phyllis, Mary Kate and Agnes were also members. Their brother James joined the Irish Volunteers.

1916 Rising Ryan joined Cumann na mBan in 1914 and was a regional organiser in Wexford. She was in Wexford when the Easter Rising began. On her return to Ireland, Ryan resumed her activities with Cumann na mBan, where she reorganised and expanded branches in Wexford.

War of Independence Ryan was living in Tomcoole during the War of Independence and the family home became a headquarters for the Irish Volunteers.

Ryan was a dispatch rider during the war and was among those arrested for anti-Treaty activities. She was transferred from Wexford to Kilmainham Gaol.

The Civil War had a huge impact on the Ryan family as Min backed her husband's support of the Treaty, as did her sister Agnes, but Nell and the other siblings were anti-Treaty. Unlike some families divided by the Civil War, the Ryans later managed to heal the division. Her friendship with Kathleen Browne, who had been arrested with Ryan after the Rising and who later supported the Treaty, did not survive the Civil War.

Later life Ryan became a member of Fianna Fáil when it was established in 1926 and served on its national executive, representing south Wexford. She was active in local politics and joined the Wexford Harbour Board, Wexford Vocational Educational Committee and the Wexford Board of Health. As Chair of the Board of Health, she had responsibility for managing social services and hospitals. She was the first women elected to Wexford County Council and served as Councillor from 1928 to 1954.

She also served on the council of Uí Cinsealaigh Historical Society.

She died aged 78 in a nursing home in Wexford on 8 December 1959. At her funeral, members of Cumann na mBan formed a guard of honour and her coffin was draped in the tricolour of the Irish Republic. She is buried in Glynn Cemetery.