The Latter Years

Eva as a young girl

© Sligo County Library, Gore-Booth Collection No. 255

Eva as a young girl
© Sligo County Library, Gore-Booth Collection No. 255

Eva as a young girl

© Sligo County Library, Gore-Booth Collection No. 255

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Constance Markievicz

© Sligo County Library, Gore-Booth Collection No. 203

Constance Markievicz
© Sligo County Library, Gore-Booth Collection No. 203

Constance Markievicz

© Sligo County Library, Gore-Booth Collection No. 203

Enlarge image

Whereas the turmoil and executions of the 1916 rising and the subsequent War of Independence caused Eva to produce poetry lamenting the needless bloodshed, 'grief for the noble dead of one who did not share their strife' 11, Constance once again continued her hands-on approach, getting involved in the Conscription issue which raged in Ireland. This lead to her second stay in prison where she created history becoming the first woman ever elected to the House of Commons.

The Countess inevitability got embroiled in the Irish Civil War that followed the treaty, taking the republican anti-treaty side under Eamonn de Valera. However she had added more political firsts to her C.V. having become a member of Irelands first Dáil and also Ireland's first Minister for Labour. During this time Eva moved to Italy where she began to be greatly influenced by religion. Her poetry began to blossom as her pacifist ideals became intertwined with a deep understanding of ancient religious texts. In 1925 she published a volume of work entitled 'the Shepherd of Eternity' which would encapsulate her belief in striving for understanding and sensitivity. Eva's health, which had always been delicate, finally began to give way after a severe bout of illness. She died on the 30th June 1926 in London.

Once the civil war had finished and the political turmoil began to slowly subside in the mid 1920's Constance once again resumed her role of fighting for workers rights and looking after the poor. 'During a strike in 1926, she helped the poor, carrying bags of fuel upstairs for the old and feeble' 12. She maintained contact with De Valera throughout this time joining his new party ' Fianna Fail '. The news of Eva's death deeply effected Constance who throughout her political life, like Eva, had been a tireless worker. Constance became deeply ill and died on the 15th July 1927 in Dublin.

END NOTES:

1. Heron, Marianne, The Hidden Houses Of Ireland, Gill & Macmillan.1999, P.79 (A809 - Sligo Library Local History Collection).
2. Murray, Michelle, Lissadell & Its Personalities. 1987, P.8 (B234 - Sligo Library Local History Collection).
3. Murray, M, Lissadell & Its Personalities, P.9 (B234).
4. Yeats, W.B, Collected Poems Of W.B Yeats, Macmillan & Co.1965, P.263. (221 - Sligo Library Yeats Collection).
5. McTernan, John C, Worthies Of Sligo : Profiles Of Eminent Sligonians Of Other Days, Avena Publications. 1994, P.226(289 - Sligo Library Local History Collection).
6. Gore-Booth, Eva, Selected Poems, Longmans,Green & Co. 1933, P.15 (820 - Sligo Library Local History Collection).
7. Gore Booth, E, Selected Poems, P.98 (820).
8. Eire Bulletin, No. 788, 24/11/1968, P.5 (265 - Sligo Library Local History Collection)
9. McTernan, J, Worthies Of Sligo, P.224 (289).
10. Eire Bulletin, P.7 (265).
11. Gore Booth, Eva, Broken Glory, Mansell & Co. 1918, P.9 (813 - Sligo Library Local History Collection).
12. Eire Bulletin, P.14 (265)

Compiled & Written by Ultan Mc Nasser MA & Eimear Sullivan