Lucy Cullen-Byrne
Encyclopedia
Lucy Cullen-Byrne from Wicklow was the ninth president of the Camogie Association. She was born Lucy Florence Cullen in Rathmore, Ashford
, Co Wicklow, daughter of Laurence Cullen, farmer, and Julia Cullen (née Ryder).
. With her husband, she took the treaty side during the civil war
and was expelled by the camogie association for fielding an all-Wicklow “‘Ireland”‘ team in the 1924 Tailteann Games
, an issue which may have been related to pro and anti-treaty divisions within the sport.
and radio broadcasts of All Ireland finals were the major issues facing the game during her presidency. An inter-provincial competition organised during her presidency to mark the golden jubilee of the association in 1954 evolved to become the annual Gael Linn Cup
inter-provincial series in 1956.
district council, show shortly afterwards to become member of Wicklow county council
(1920–1958), succeed Robert Barton
as Wicklow County Council
chairman, serving for seventeen of the years between June 1922 and 1945, and Sinn Féin
TD for Kildare–Wicklow (Dáil Éireann constituency) from 1921, He served on the GAA Central Council from 1908, as chairman of Wicklow County Board
(1931–54) and was active in promoting the playing of camogie. He left Cumann na nGaedheal in 1926 and was involved in forming a new party, Clann Éireann
, with Pádraig Ó Máille. He stood as an independent candidate in the general elections of 1927 and 1932, but was unsuccessful and later joined Fianna Fáil
.
They lived at Ballykillavane, Glenealy
, Co Wicklow, and had no children. Her sister Julia was married to another TD, Michael Staines
, who briefly became Garda
commissioner in 1922 at the time of the mutiny.
Ashford, County Wicklow
Ashford , historically known as Ballymacahara , is a village County Wicklow, Republic of Ireland. It lies on the R772 regional road. The Vartry River flows under the road in the village centre...
, Co Wicklow, daughter of Laurence Cullen, farmer, and Julia Cullen (née Ryder).
Activist
Lucy Byrne was prominent in many national organisations and her home was frequently raided by British forces during the War of IndependenceIrish War of Independence
The Irish War of Independence , Anglo-Irish War, Black and Tan War, or Tan War was a guerrilla war mounted by the Irish Republican Army against the British government and its forces in Ireland. It began in January 1919, following the Irish Republic's declaration of independence. Both sides agreed...
. With her husband, she took the treaty side during the civil war
Irish Civil War
The Irish Civil War was a conflict that accompanied the establishment of the Irish Free State as an entity independent from the United Kingdom within the British Empire....
and was expelled by the camogie association for fielding an all-Wicklow “‘Ireland”‘ team in the 1924 Tailteann Games
Tailteann Games
The Tailteann Games were an ancient sporting event held in Ireland in honour of the goddess Tailtiu. They ran from 632 BC to 1169-1171 AD when they died out after the Norman invasion....
, an issue which may have been related to pro and anti-treaty divisions within the sport.
Presidency
Access to Croke ParkCroke Park
Croke Park in Dublin is the principal stadium and headquarters of the Gaelic Athletic Association , Ireland's biggest sporting organisation...
and radio broadcasts of All Ireland finals were the major issues facing the game during her presidency. An inter-provincial competition organised during her presidency to mark the golden jubilee of the association in 1954 evolved to become the annual Gael Linn Cup
Gael Linn Cup
The Gael Linn Cup is a bi-ennial tournament in the Irish sport of camogie contested by Ireland’s fuur provincial teams. Currently played at senior and junior level on alternate years. The tournament has existed in various guides since 1956, is played at senior and junior level on alternate years...
inter-provincial series in 1956.
A Political Marriage
On June 3, 1919 she married Christopher Michael Byrne, (‘Christy’, ‘C. M.’) (1886–1958), quartermaster of the Wicklow Brigade of the IRA and chairman of RathdrumRathdrum
Rathdrum may refer to:* Rathdrum, Idaho, United States* Rathdrum, County Wicklow, Ireland...
district council, show shortly afterwards to become member of Wicklow county council
Wicklow County Council
Wicklow County Council is the local authority which is responsible for County Wicklow in Ireland. The Council is responsible for Housing and Community, Roads and Transportation, Urban planning and Development, Amenity and Culture, and Environment. The head of the council has the title of...
(1920–1958), succeed Robert Barton
Robert Barton
Robert Childers Barton was an Irish lawyer, soldier, statesman and farmer who participated in the negotiations leading up to the signature of the Anglo-Irish Treaty. His father was Charles William Barton and his mother was Agnes Childers. His wife was Rachel Warren of Boston, daughter of Fiske...
as Wicklow County Council
Wicklow County Council
Wicklow County Council is the local authority which is responsible for County Wicklow in Ireland. The Council is responsible for Housing and Community, Roads and Transportation, Urban planning and Development, Amenity and Culture, and Environment. The head of the council has the title of...
chairman, serving for seventeen of the years between June 1922 and 1945, and Sinn Féin
Sinn Féin
Sinn Féin is a left wing, Irish republican political party in Ireland. The name is Irish for "ourselves" or "we ourselves", although it is frequently mistranslated as "ourselves alone". Originating in the Sinn Féin organisation founded in 1905 by Arthur Griffith, it took its current form in 1970...
TD for Kildare–Wicklow (Dáil Éireann constituency) from 1921, He served on the GAA Central Council from 1908, as chairman of Wicklow County Board
Wicklow GAA
The Wicklow County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Wicklow GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Wicklow...
(1931–54) and was active in promoting the playing of camogie. He left Cumann na nGaedheal in 1926 and was involved in forming a new party, Clann Éireann
Clann Éireann
Clann Éireann , also known as the People's Party, was a minor republican political party in the Irish Free State. The party was founded on 25 January 1926 as a result of a split from the ruling Cumann na nGaedheal party, to protest the Boundary Commission report, which permanently demarcated the...
, with Pádraig Ó Máille. He stood as an independent candidate in the general elections of 1927 and 1932, but was unsuccessful and later joined Fianna Fáil
Fianna Fáil
Fianna Fáil – The Republican Party , more commonly known as Fianna Fáil is a centrist political party in the Republic of Ireland, founded on 23 March 1926. Fianna Fáil's name is traditionally translated into English as Soldiers of Destiny, although a more accurate rendition would be Warriors of Fál...
.
They lived at Ballykillavane, Glenealy
Glenealy
Glenealy is one of few roads or streets without suffix in Hong Kong. Located in the Mid-levels on the Hong Kong Island, Hong Kong, it starts from Ice House Street and goes uphill to Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens, across Robinson Road and ends at Hornsey Road and Conduit Road.It was...
, Co Wicklow, and had no children. Her sister Julia was married to another TD, Michael Staines
Michael Staines
Michael Staines was an Irish republican and politician. He was born in Newport, County Mayo his mother Margaret's home village, and where his father Edward was serving as an RIC officer....
, who briefly became Garda
Garda Síochána
, more commonly referred to as the Gardaí , is the police force of Ireland. The service is headed by the Commissioner who is appointed by the Irish Government. Its headquarters are located in the Phoenix Park in Dublin.- Terminology :...
commissioner in 1922 at the time of the mutiny.
External links
- Camogie.ie Official Camogie Association Website
- On The Ball Official Camogie Magazine Issue 1 and issue 2
- History of Camogie slideshow. presented by Cumann Camógaíochta Communications Committee at GAA Museum January 25, 2010 part one, part two, part three and part four
- Camogie on official GAA website
- Timeline: History of Camogie
- Camogie on GAA Oral History Project
- County and provincial websites: Antrim Armagh Clare Connacht Cork Derry Down Dublin Galway Kerry Kildare Kilkenny Leinster Limerick London Louth Meath Munster North America Offaly Tipperary Ulster Waterford Wexford Wicklow