Born on 7th July, 150 years ago, Agnes O’Farrelly was an instrumental figure in shaping Irish women’s education. Taking on a preeminent role as an Irish-language scholar, she was also one of the foremost women novelists writing in the Irish language.
She originated from Raffony, Virginia, Co Cavan, one of Peter Farrelly and Ann Sheridan’s eight children, both of whom profoundly revered the Irish language. The commencement of her literary journey was marked by her contributions to the Anglo-Celt newspaper. Encouraged by the editor, O’Farrelly went on to study literature.
After procuring her BA in 1899 and her MA in 1900 from the Royal University, she subsequently spent a term in the French capital studying Celtic under the highly regarded academic, Henri D’Arbois de Jubainville. Post her Paris term, she took on lectureship roles in Irish at both Alexandra and Loreto Colleges.
Playing an instrumental role, she championed the cause of higher education for women. Along with historian Mary Hayden, she established the Irish Association of Women Graduates and Candidate Graduates. Her compelling distributions to university education debates helped cement the case for gender parity in education, leading to the chartering of University College Dublin in 1908. The following year saw her rise to a lectureship in modern Irish in UCD, where she also held positions in the governing body and the National University of Ireland Senate from 1914 through to 1949.
Succeeding Douglas Hyde, she presided as the professor of modern Irish in UCD from 1932 until her retirement in 1947.
O’Farrelly was quite involved in the Gaelic League from its inception, serving on its executive committee and directing An Cló-Chumann Ltd, a publisher of Irish language materials. Her close relationship with the league’s preeminent figures, specifically Douglas Hyde and Eoin MacNeill, who emboldened her to visit the Aran Islands to enhance her mastery of Irish. UCD students frequently conjectured about the depth of their relationship, reveal biographers Janet and Gareth Dunleavy.
She was a key figure in the establishment and operation of the Ulster College of Irish at Cloughaneely, Co Donegal, and maintained links with colleges in Leinster and Connacht. She also held the position of chair at the Federation of Irish Language Summer Schools for several years. Marie Coleman, responsible for her segment in the Dictionary of Irish Biography, brought attention to her infamous weak Irish speaking abilities, referencing a tale reported by Brian O’Nolan. One Sunday on the Aran Islands, she seemingly bewildered a young boy by saying, “If you are bound for hell, I will accompany you”, having seemingly mistaken the term “ifreann” (hell) for “Aifreann” (Mass). However, this incident may have been the progression of O’Nolan’s professional competition.
In 1914, she led the first Cumann na mBan meeting, openly backing its secondary position in relation to the Irish Volunteers, though she stepped back due to her promotion of British army enlistment during the first World War. She stood with others in the attempt to have Roger Casement’s capital punishment retracted after the Easter Rising, aligning closely with his ideals.
Aiming to averting a civil war in 1922, she was part of a women’s committee that unfortunately failed to negotiate successful terms with the IRA leaders. She also unsuccessfully ran for the National University of Ireland constituency in the 1923 and 1927 general elections.
She was a key member of the National University Women’s Graduate Association (NUWGA) and fought to have articles that were regarded discriminatory towards women removed from the 1937 Constitution. As a founding member and president of the UCD camogie club from 1914 until 1951, she had the notable accomplishment of persuading Lord Ashbourne to contribute the Ashbourne Cup for the inter-colleges camogie tournament. She was also the president of the Irish Industrial Development Association and the Homespun Society, and managed a trust for the progression of Gaeltacht industry.
Operating under the pen name “Uan Uladh”, a poet, critic, and novelist wrote in both Irish and English languages. Among her critical literature are “The Reign of Humbug” released in 1900, “Leabhar an Athar Eoghan” from 1903 and 1911’s “Filidheacht Seagháin Uí Neachtáin”. She authored novels “Grádh agus Crádh”, published in 1901 and “An Cneamhaire” from 1902. She also penned poetry compilations including “Out of the Depths” in 1921 and 1927’s “Áille and Domhain”. Her travel memoir “Smaointe ar Árainn”, issued in 1902, offers an in-depth look into the existence of island women and children and conveys her fervent belief in gender equality.
Agnes O’Farrelly stepped down from UCD in 1947, upon which the NUWGA honoured her with an oil sketch by Seán Keating RHA. Having never wed, she passed away on 5th November 1951. Her final farewell was attended by the president and the taoiseach, and she was laid to rest at the Deansgrange Cemetery located in Dublin.