Cumann na mBan, formed in Dublin on 2 April 1914, with the mission to: "assist in arming a body of Irish men for the defence of #Ireland".

Young members of Cumann na mBan prepare to march to Wolfe Tone's grave for a commemoration at Bodenstown, #Kildare 1921.

"The destiny of small nations always finally depends on their #women". Cumann na mBan on the supreme role of women in upraising leaders.

Cumann na mBan were vital to the Irish war-effort: As postmistresses they intercepted Crown messages & formed an ambulance / intel corp.

One of the ways in which a 'well read' Cumann na mBan gun-runner girl secreted a handgun for transport. #EasterRising #Ireland

Art MacMurrough was the most formidable of later kings of #Leinster. He restored his family's power & dominated the Anglo-Norman invaders.

By using irregular warfare MacMurrough †1417 turned his kingdom into a death trap for Crown forces. Armies led by Richard II were liquidated.

On the great spars between King Richard II & Art MacMurrough, who: "..would not cease from war & the defense of his country til his death".

The Arms of the #MacMurrough-Kavanagh of Leinster. They would redeem their family name by martial prowess & subjugation of the English.

Medieval historian Jean Froissart's impression of king Art MacMurrough as he descended the hills to parley after defeating Richard II:

Negotiating with the English earls to end the war, MacMurrough declared: "[Ireland] shall have no terms but peace, or no compact at all!"

Ceiling of St Patrick's Hall in the State Apartments, Dublin Castle. #Dublin

Ériu, the Irish name for Ireland, is thought to derive from the Proto-Irish 'iwo', meaning Yew, making Ireland the 'Land of the #Yew tree'.

A tribe of Gauls known as the Iverni settled the #Munster region of Ireland circa 500BC. Iverni (in Irish: Érainn) means 'sons of the Yew'.

Unlike in most of Europe, the yew grows extensively in Irish woodlands. The Iverni may have taken their tribal name as a matter of prestige.

Hore Abbey, near the Rock of Cashel, Tipperary. Hore comes from 'iubhair' - yew tree. It was perhaps once the site of a sacred tree. #Tipperary

The yew tree was involved as a sign of kingship: In one tale, an aspirant king had to light a fire at #Cashel under a yew guarded by angels.