The Ryan sisters were from Tomcoole, near Taghmon in Co. Wexford. Min (Mary Josephine) was born on 29December 1884, and Mary-Kate was born on 28February 1895. Both sisters attended Loreto Abbey in Gorey. Min also attended Loreto Abbey in Dublin, and later the Royal University of Ireland. Mary Kate attended U.C.D. Min was an active member of Cumann na mBan, and became the honorary secretary of its executive committee. She acted as a dispatch rider in Enniscorthy in the days leading up to the Rising, then went to serve at the G.P.O and Jacob’s factory in Dublin. She was engaged to Seán Mac Diarmada who was executed for his role in the Rising. She married General Richard Mulcahy, who went on the become commander-in-chief of the Irish Army. Mary Kate was also involved in Dublin during the Rising, serving in the G.P.O. She went on to marry Sean T. Ó Ceallaigh, who was a founding member of the Volunteers and later became President of Ireland.
