Who's who in the Kathleen Lynn diaries
Bibby, Father Albert - Born Thomas Francis Bibby in Bagenalstown in 1877, Bibby took his vows in 1895 and was ordained in 1902. He joined the Capuchin community of St. Mary of the Angels, on Church Street. He was involved in the Gaelic League, and fluent in the Irish language. During Easter week, the Irish Volunteers occupied several positions in the immediate vicinity of his community. He attended to those who were wounded or dying. After the order was given to surrender, he arranged an overnight truce to facilitate the removal of the injured. After the Rising, Bibby visited the prisoners to offer solace, hear confessions, and helped send messages to their families. Bibby administered the Last Rites to eight rebels before they were executed.
Carltons - Lynn variously refers to Dora Carleton, Canon Carleton and the Carletons. They seem to have been friends of hers outside the Nationalist movement, and generally disapproving of her involvement in the Easter Rising. Canon Carleton may be James George Carleton who was curate of St Stephen’s Dublin, from 1897-1905, and then, Prebendary of Rathmichael, in St Patrick’s Cathedral.
Columbus, Father was born Daniel Murphy in Cork in 1888. He entered the Capuchin Novitiate, in August 1898. In 1916, Father Columbus was assigned to the Church Street Capuchin Friary. He played an important role in bringing about a cessation in hostilities. After the surrender, there was much confusion as to whether the Rising was over, so Father Columbus visited Patrick Pearse, in Arbour Detention Barracks, to ask him to rewrite the surrender note, in order to prevent further losses of life. Columbus visited Kilmainham to minister to the prisoners, before their executions.
Courry - It has not been possible to identify who this is.
Jane is Lynn’s maid at her home in Rathmines, Dublin.
Lynn, Nan was Kathleen's older sister. The two were close but Nan did not support Kathleen’s involvement in the 1916 Rising. Nan and her father both visited Kathleen during her imprisonment after the Rising.
Lynn, Robert Kathleen's father and a Church of Ireland Rector. Kathleen’s radicalism and political activity was not supported by her family and her father refused to let her return home after the events of 1916. The estrangement between them was made up before Robert’s death in 1923.
Maguire, D - possibly Dr Kathleen Maguire, a colleague of Lynn’s, who had been involved with her in the Irish Suffrage movement. The two would later work together in founding St Ultan’s hospital.
Mlle - There are frequent references in Lynn’s diary to Mlle; it has not been possible to identify who this is, but it is clearly a close friend of Lynn’s.
Pearson, Mr - A Protestant Chaplain who visited Lynn during her imprisonment in Kilmainham. This may be James Alexander Pearson who, from 1913, was curate of St James’ Church, Dublin.
Smartt, Lizzie appears frequently in the entries, for this period. She seems to be a friend of Lynn’s who was not involved in the Nationalist movement. It seems likely she was a member of the Smartt family, who were relatives of the Lynn family. Dr Francis Smartt was Lynn’s first cousin, and had practised as a doctor, near Lynn’s childhood home in Mayo.
Sullivan, Molly - One of two women, described by Lynn as prostitutes, who were briefly imprisoned with Lynn during her first few days in custody.
Whitely, N - It has not been possible to identify who this is.
Young, E - In the early years of her diaries Lynn makes several references to E or Ella Young. This may be the Irish poet and mythologist, Ella Young (1867-1956).