Athenry Women in the British Red Cross by Ronan Killeen

Volunteers of the British Red Cross (image got from Brisith Red Cross website)

The red cross originated in 1863 by a Swiss businessman Henry Duant. Who was devasted by the several casualites of the Battle of Sioferino 1859 because many people due to lack of care.

 He proposed creating national relief societies, made up of volunteers, trained in peacetime to provide neutral and impartial help to relieve suffering in times of war.

In response to these ideas, a committee (which later became the International Committee of the Red Cross) was established in Geneva. The founding charter of the Red Cross was drawn up in 1863.

When war broke out between France and Prussia in July 1870, Colonel Loyd-Lindsay (later Lord Wantage of Lockinge) wrote a letter to The Times. He called for a National Society to be formed in Britain just like in other European nations.

The British National Society for Aid to the Sick and Wounded in War was formed. It gave aid and relief to both warring armies during the Franco-Prussian War and in other wars and campaigns during the 19th century. This was done under the protection of the red cross emblem.

Recently, records of Athenry women in the British Red Cross were released on line see link https://vad.redcross.org.uk/Search?hosp=athenry+&fbclid=IwAR3Bh7G-w1Vl7UR5EGHjxwOJ5ffM3gh9dUx-ce7SuVWY077h8pA2kO5rNJ8. 

The Athenry women involved in the British Red Cross were Norah T. Burkitt, Linda Laura Jurd, Dorethy Noelle Lopdell, Leilla S. Lopdell, Zeile Marguerite Lopdell, Theta W. F. Moon; Alice De Mowbray, Amy Roe and Anna Helen Kathleen Roe.

Lady's Well, Athenry 1923-1924 by Ronan Killeen

Lady's Well, Athenry (reference: Athenry Parish Heritage page)

In August 1923  supporters of the then present government (Free-State) and anti-treaty attend the pilgrimage at Lady’s Well, Athenry. Patrick Kennedy presided over the meeting of Treaty candidates was held in the afternoon. Stephen Jordan presided the Anti-Treaty gathering addressed by Mr. O’Dea. A statement made by the chairperson aroused hostility in the crowd and a tussle ensued. Some of the crowd panicked and fled the scene only to return later. The Civic Guard entered the crowd and drew their batons using them vigorously.  The disturbance was quelled and Mr. O’Dea was able to resume his speech.[1]
The above event happened after a ceasefire for the Irish Civil War was called in May 1923 conflict was still high between Treatyites  and Anti-Treatyites. The Civic Guard was formed by the Provisional Government in February 1922 to take over the responsibility of policing the fledgling Irish Free State. It replaced the Royal Irish Constabulary (RIC) and the Irish Republican Police of 1919–22.
In the year of 1932  which was the same year of the Eucharistic Congress there was a public meeting held at Lady's Well which  authorised a ladies committee to collect funds in Athenry  for the purpose of erecting a Memorial Cross at Lady's Well which was to be erected on 26 June 1932 for the Eucharistic congress. That same year Fr. Conroy P. P. organised times for masses for pilgrims visiting the well as visitors that arrive in Athenry at different times such as morning, evening by train and put an appeal to pilgrims to reply in his letter  via the Connacht Tribune suitable times for them.  '[2]

In August 1934 the Connacht Tribune reported that a ‘A big crowd attended arrived Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning . The Wednesday morning train was crowded with pilgrims from Connemara and the Claddagh, Galway. Some years ago an all-night vigil at the well-used to precede Lady day, very few keep the vigil visits on the evening of the 14^th and 15^th.’

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[1] Freeman’s Journal 16/08/1923

[2] Connacht Tribune 13/08/1932