Representing Cumann na mBan – founded in 1914 – Irish Republican Women’s Paramilitary Organisation
Two new sculptures have been installed on the grounds of Tipperary Post Office on Davis Street, Tipperary town. The project is being led by the Heritage Sub Group in the Task Force. The two carvings were suggested by Sylvia Greene as there were two tree stumps on the site. Funding was sourced from Creative Ireland and Fear Na Coillte Chainsaw Sculptures – Will Fogarty was commissioned to create the two pieces.
The first figure closest to Main Street is Aleen Cust – a Cordangan native who was the first ever female to be awarded qualifications by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons. Ms Cust died of heart failure in Jamaica on 29 January 1937 whilst visiting friends. Upon her death she left the RCVS a sum of money to found the Aleen Cust Research Scholarship. Ms Cust is buried in Jamaica.
Sculpture of Aleen Cust RCVS and dog – Davis Street Tipperary town
The second figure is a tribute to Cumann Na mBan, the Irish republican women’s paramilitary organisation that was formed in 1914. Katherina Ryan, a member of the Heritage sub group, whose great grandmother was a member of the movement, modelled a Cumann na mBan uniform to assist Will Fogarty with the carving. Ms Ryan’s great grandmother, Catherine McGrath, Bonerea, Cappawhite, served with Cumann na mBan joining the Annacarty Branch, 3rd Battalion, Tipperary 3rd Brigade of Cumann na mBan in 1919. Given the remote location of her home it was regularly used as a safe house for the men on active service. Work on landscaping and planting the area around the sculptures and two plaques are to be completed in the coming weeks. The local Residents Group will maintain the new feature going forward.
Will Fogarty – Fear na Coillte, Mary Alice O’Connor Chair of the Heritage Sub Group, Michael Begley Task Force Manager and Paul O’Callaghan Chair of Tipperary Tidy Towns Group
