Standing prominently in the grounds of Belfast City Hall is a bronze tribute to one of the most complex and courageous figures in Irish history: Maria Winifred 'Winnie' Carney. Unveiled on March 8, 2024, to coincide with International Women’s Day, this statue represents a significant shift in how Belfast commemorates its past. Alongside social reformer Mary Ann McCracken, Carney is one of the first non-royal women to be honored with a monument in these historic gardens, which were once seen as a bastion of unionist tradition.
Early Activism and the Union
Born in 1887 in Bangor, County Down, and raised on the Falls Road in Belfast, Carney’s life was defined by a tireless advocacy for the marginalized. By her early twenties, she was a qualified secretary and shorthand typist, skills that would soon become revolutionary tools. In 1912, she became the secretary of the Irish Textile Workers' Union, working alongside James Connolly to improve the horrific conditions of the 'linen slaves'—the thousands of women and children working in Belfast’s mills. Her dedication was so profound that she became Connolly’s personal secretary and closest political confidante.
"The Typist with the Webley"
Carney’s most enduring image in history was forged during the 1916 Easter Rising in Dublin. As an officer in the Irish Citizen Army and Connolly’s aide-de-camp, she was the only woman present in the initial group that seized the General Post Office (GPO). She arrived at the heart of the rebellion famously armed with two very different instruments: a typewriter and a Webley revolver.
This duality earned her the nickname 'the typist with the Webley.' Throughout that bloody week, she typed mobilization orders and dispatches amidst the chaos of gunfire and burning buildings, refusing to leave Connolly’s side even when ordered to evacuate by Patrick Pearse. She remained until the final surrender, later spending months in English prisons.
Solidarity Across Divides
After her release, Carney continued her political journey, but it took a path that often defied simple sectarian labels. In 1928, she married George McBride, a Protestant socialist and former member of the Ulster Volunteer Force who had fought at the Battle of the Somme. Their marriage was a radical act of love and solidarity across the deep political and religious divides of Northern Ireland. Despite their differing views on Irish nationalism, they shared a lifelong commitment to socialism and workers' rights, often facing alienation from their own communities for their union.
The statue itself, created by sculptor Ralf Sander, captures Carney in her Irish Citizen Army uniform. It purposefully includes the symbols of her dual life: the typewriter and the revolver. Today, the monument serves as more than just a historical marker; it is a symbol of a shared, multi-layered history, celebrating a woman who spent her life fighting for the rights of the poor and the dignity of the working class, regardless of the banner under which they stood.
Photos
The bronze statue of Winifred Carney stands resolute before the grand architecture of Belfast City Hall, depicting her in the uniform of the Irish Citizen Army alongside the typewriter she used to document a revolution.
Backgrounder Notes
As an expert researcher and library scientist, I have analyzed the article regarding Winnie Carney. To provide the reader with a more comprehensive understanding of the historical, political, and social context surrounding her life, I have identified and defined the following key concepts and figures:
James Connolly (1868–1916) Connolly was a preeminent Irish socialist leader and revolutionary who co-founded the Irish Labour Party and led the Irish Citizen Army. He was one of the seven signatories of the Proclamation of the Republic and was executed by British authorities for his leadership role in the 1916 Easter Rising.
The Irish Citizen Army (ICA) Originally formed during the 1913 Dublin Lockout to protect striking workers from police violence, the ICA was a small paramilitary organization of socialist trade unionists. Unlike other contemporary militias, it was unique for its radical egalitarianism, allowing women to serve as full members with the same status and training as men.
The 1916 Easter Rising The Rising was an armed insurrection launched by Irish republicans during Easter Week 1916 with the goal of ending British rule in Ireland and establishing an independent republic. Though militarily unsuccessful at the time, the event and the subsequent execution of its leaders transformed Irish public opinion and paved the way for the Irish War of Independence.
The General Post Office (GPO), Dublin Located on O'Connell Street, the GPO served as the headquarters for the rebel forces during the Easter Rising and was the site where the Proclamation of the Republic was first read aloud. Today, it remains one of Ireland’s most iconic national landmarks and a symbol of Irish revolutionary history.
Mary Ann McCracken (1770–1866) A pioneering Belfast social reformer, abolitionist, and advocate for the rights of women and children, McCracken was also a supporter of the United Irishmen. Her inclusion alongside Carney in the City Hall gardens marks a shift toward honoring the city's radical and humanitarian history rather than just its colonial or royal past.
The Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF) – Original 1912 Formation The original UVF was a loyalist paramilitary militia founded by Unionist leaders to resist "Home Rule" (Irish self-governance) through armed force if necessary. Many of its members later joined the 36th (Ulster) Division of the British Army and suffered massive casualties at the Battle of the Somme in 1916.
The Webley Revolver The Webley was the standard-issue service pistol for British and Commonwealth forces from the late 19th century through both World Wars. Carney carrying this high-caliber sidearm while functioning as a typist created the striking "Typist with a Webley" image that challenged traditional gender roles of the era.
The "Linen Slaves" of Belfast This term was used by labor activists like Carney and Connolly to describe the exploited workforce—primarily women and children—who laboured in Belfast’s damp, hazardous linen mills for extremely low wages. Their advocacy led to the formation of the Irish Textile Workers' Union to combat these industrial injustices.
Belfast City Hall Opened in 1906, this landmark building is the headquarters of Belfast City Council and has historically been viewed as a bastion of Unionist political power. The recent installation of statues honoring a Republican socialist (Carney) and a radical reformer (McCracken) represents a move toward more inclusive and "shared" public spaces in post-conflict Northern Ireland.
Sources
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militaryarchives.iehttps://www.militaryarchives.ie/en/online-collections/military-service-pensions-collection/irish-revolution-1916-1923/easter-rising-1916/featured-stories/winifred-carney
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pssauk.orghttps://pssauk.org/woman/winifred-carney/
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mooreinstitute.iehttps://mooreinstitute.ie/event/history-politics-memory-winifred-carney-1887-1943-2017-helga-woggan-mi-visiting-fellow/
