One of the most iconic images of the 1916 rising captured the moment of surrender of the rebels – one military leader succumbing to another. But the grainy image used in various accounts of Irish history in the years since has raised more questions than answers – the original negative for this picture was never found, the photographer was never identified and mystery existed as to why an extra pair of women’s feet were visible hidden behind Pádraig Pearse.
This episode of Reabhlóid tells the story of Elizabeth O’Farrell, the 32-year-old Dubliner who stood loyally beside Pádraig Pearse at that defining moment but whose existence has been airbrushed and removed from various depictions of Irish history in the years since. Elizabeth is very much hidden in this image, so much so that within days of the surrender when the photograph was first published in a British newspaper all traces of her were removed. A copy of the original image of this photo was later recovered and used to commemorate the Rising. However, while it proves Elizabeth’s presence at the surrender, the image raises many questions of its own. Why is it that only Elizabeth’s feet are visible in the photo and who made the decision that she should be so hidden? Is this image symbolic of women’s role in the 1916 revolution being airbrushed out of history?
In this programme we trace the final days of the rising, the moments leading up to the surrender and the key role Elizabeth O’Farrell played in that dramatic period of Irish history. We also find a recently acquired rare sepia print of the photograph which injects colour into this image for the first time and reveals that Elizabeth O’Farrell was much more visible in the photo that anyone ever knew. This programme, the final of the Réabhlóid series, illustrates Elizabeth’s rightful place in this moment of Irish history and her story which like that of so many of the women and lesser known charachters of 1916 has been forgotten in our national historic narrative.
Presenter/Reporter – Sinéad Ní Churnáin
Produced and Directed by Laura Ní Cheallaigh
When the leaders made the decision that they would have to surrender, Elizabeth was chosen to carry the surrender she was chosen because of the three women she was solid. She was steady, they knew they could trust her to do it. –
Dr. Ann Matthews, author “Renegades – Irish Republican Women 1900 – 22”
Well it was a very brave dynamic journey whatever way you look at it. Did she have time to think about it when she was asked. Did she rehearse it in her head? Did she just take the bloody thing and run with it.
– Patricia Aitchison, grand-niece of Elizabeth O Farrell
I think that in terms of Irish history, women do get a raw deal. People like Elizabeth O’Farrell and the hundreds of female foot soldiers who were involved from 1916 onwards are completely ignored, and they are still ignored almost 100 years later. Instead historians have concentrated on, a romantic version of history, which could almost be called historical chick lit! – Dr. Ann Matthews, author “Renegades – Irish Republican Women 1900 – 22”