Markievicz is honoured by the House of Commons
THE UK’S PARLIAMENT has formally mark the election of Constance Markievicz to the House of Commons.
Sligo woman Countess Markievicz was the first female to be elected to the British Parliament following the 1918 general election. A portrait of Markievicz was presented to the Speaker of the House of Commons, John Bercow by Ceann Comhairle Seán Ó Fearghaíl to mark the centenary of her achievement.
The portrait is a photographic reproduction of a 1901 oil painting of Markievicz owned by Dublin City Gallery The Hugh Lane.
It will go on public display in the British Parliament’s ‘Voice and Vote’ exhibition until 6 October, after which it will be transferred to Portcullis House for public display. Markievicz never took her seat in keeping with her party Sinn Féin’s policy. She was still in prison when she was elected.
Born Constance Georgine Gore Booth in Lissadell, she is most famous for her leadership role in the Easter Rising of 1916 and the subsequent revolutionary struggle for freedom in Ireland.
She was imprisoned and sentenced to death for her role in the Rising. Her sentence was commuted on the grounds of her sex, and she was released in 1917.