Joan Austin

Female

Fountain Valley, CA

United States

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  • Jackie Mullen

    Hi Joan, 

    My name us Jackie Mullen.  I am participating in 77 women quilt project for the 1916 centenery celebrations.  77 women were arrested and jailed after the 1916 rising.  We wish to write these women back into history by making a quilt which will be unveiled at Richmind Barracks, Dublin on international women's day next March.  Each of the 77 women will have a twin.  My twin is Winifred Carney and I am trying to get as much infirmation about her as possible.  Is there a photograh of Winifred later in her life?

    You can view this website to see what we are trying to do.  

    http://www.richmondbarracks.ie/women-1916/commemoration-quilt/

    I would be grateful for any further information about her life.

  • Terry Cassidy

    Hello Joan,

    Thank you for posting the video on Winifred Carney. I enjoyed it very much and was pleasantly surprised to see my fathers cousin, Desmond Cassidy, whom I know well, featuring in the interviews. I too am a descendant through my fathers side of the Belfast Cassidy family. My late father Brendan was Winnies 3rd cousin I believe. I learned from an early age about Winnie from my Dad and she was highly regarded and revered by all in the Cassidy family. I too feel some pride in having an ancester of such stature and bravery as Winnie Carney. Her dignified and principled stance on Irish freedom and socialism are inspiring but it was also her abilty to hold these views and avoid any form of sectarianism at the same time which really desrves respect. These qualities are a common feature of the most important Irish nationalist figures.

    Its really important to keep the memory alive for all of those who sacificed so much for the freedom of Ireland. So thanks again for the posting.

    Terry Cassidy, Glasgow Scotland.

  • Terry Cassidy

    Hi Joan, I replied to you email and photos but then noticed the email address was a donotreply from Wild Geese so I've copied the response here:

    Thanks again Joan (go raibh maith agat). I really enjoyed your photos. Dessie looks so well in them. He's a lovely guy and a real character. Siobhan is my cousin. Her Dad is my uncle Terry. It was through the anniversary that I renewed my interest in Winnie Carney. My Sister Anne who lives in Clonmel, Tipperary was invited by the town council to open a plaque commemorating those who gave their lives in the Easter Rising. She was chosen for this honour because of her connection to Carney. We were talking on the phone about this and I started to google Winnie Carney. This is how I came across the article by Mary Thorpe and your comments on Wild Geese. My mum sent me a booklet on Winnifred Carney a few years back. There were contributions from my Uncle Pat and especially Dessie. I'm not sure where I have stored this but Dessie will undoubtedly have a copy. If I manage to dig it out I would be happy to send it to you (if you don’t already have it). My email address is tppcgb333@tiscali.co.uk.
    It's really amazing how many people have connections to Ireland and its history throughout the world. There are some wonderful and interesting stories on the Wild Geese site. I'm not so far away as I live in Glasgow, Scotland. I'll be travelling to the west coast of Ireland this July for my mum's 80th birthday. It’s a pity it's not June or we may have been able to meet. Dessie and my uncles Michael, Pat and Terry are all getting on in years now but they will have their own stories. Uncle Pat would be particularly knowledgeable as he was the eldest and taught history in Belfast. I hope you have a lovely trip in June. Lovely chatting to you.

    Best wishes Terry