Bad Ass Women of History: Anne Devlin

In honor of St Patrick’s Day and my own Irish heritage, I wanted to tell the story of Anne Devlin. When thinking back on the pursuit for Irish independence, we often think of the most recent Troubles. Of course, we know that this conflict has been going on for centuries. There have been multiple rebellions over the years, but we don’t often think about the women involved.

Anne Devlin was born in 1780 in Rathdrum, County Wicklow. Her family had a long history of involvement with the Irish rebellion. Her father, Brian, was jailed as part of the 1798 Rebellion led by her cousins Michael Dwyer and Hugh O’Byrne. Irish Nationalism ran deep in the family, and Anne was no exception. 

After having moved with her family to the Dublin-area, Anne became involved in the planning of the 1803 with Robert Emmet. The authorities began to become suspicious of the number of meetings occurring at Butterfield House where Emmet had taken up residence under the alias of Mr. Ellis. It was then that Anne began to serve as housekeeper so as not arouse any additional suspicions for the conspirators. Additionally, she acted as accomplice in arranging between her “employer” and cousin, Michael Dwyer, and some of his men from Glen of Imaal.

  

On July 23^rd, after the failed attempt at rebellion, Emmet and his companions returned first to the home at Butterfield Lane and then moved during the night into the home of Brian Devlin. The conspirators would escape to the Dublin Mountains. It was during this time that Anne acted as a liaison between Emmet and his friends in Dublin, carrying messages between the two groups. This would lead to a raid on Butterfield House where Anne was still acting as housekeeper.

Prior to the raid, Anne had faithfully destroyed any evidence of rebellion. When questioned about her employer Mr. Ellis, she refused to give the authorities any information. She described the yeomen as having “began afresh to goad me with their bayonets. The blood was streaming down my sides and arms.” Anne was then taken outside and half-hanged to death and forced to watch as her younger sister was tortured. Still she refused to provide any information that would implicate Emmet in the rebellion.

She and other members of her family would be arrested for treason and questioned at Dublin Castle. Anne was held at Kilmainham jail. This imprisonment would result in the death of her nine-year-old brother from illness that resulted from the squalid conditions of the jail. Yet, Anne was steadfast in refusing to implicate Emmet, who had since been arrested and imprisoned. Even Emmet’s execution in September 1803 could not persuade Devlin to provide any information. 

Anne was released from prison in 1806 after years of torture and inhumane treatment. She went on to marry William Campbell in 1811 and have four children. Although Anne was supported by sympathizers for several years after her release, she would ultimately die in obscurity and poverty in 1851 at the age of 71. Despite being nearly forgotten in the annals of history, Anne was a symbol of faithfulness to the Irish Nationalist cause.