Una Brennan was born Anastasia Bolger in 1888, the eldest of six children of John Bolger and Johanna Whitty. The family lived at Coolnaboy in the parish of Oylegate. Una was a nationalist and feminist. In 1908 she persuaded William Sears, editor of The Echo, to give her a monthly column in the newspaper. This was a huge step for a woman at that time. Women’s rights in the home and in public life were her main concern. She became a member of Inghinidhe na hÉireann (Daughters of Ireland), a radical nationalist women’s organisation and became its Secretary. It merged with Cumann na mBan in 1914. She was also among the first female members of the IRB. Una, in Cumann na mBan uniform, joined her husband, Robert Brennan in the Athenaeum and was on duty throughout the Rising She was one of three women who raised the Tricolour on the building.
