New Book Highlights Irish Women’s Role in the Resistance
A recently published book, The Irish in the Resistance: The Untold Stories of the Ordinary Heroes Who Resisted Hitler, sheds light on the overlooked contributions of Irish nuns in the anti-fascist resistance during World War II. Co-authored by Clodagh Finn and John Morgan, the book explores the bravery of Irish men and women who risked their lives to help Jews and Allied prisoners of war. Among them was Franciscan Sr. Katherine (Kate) McCarthy, also known as Sister Marie-Laurence, whose heroic actions in German-occupied France led to her arrest and imprisonment in the Ravensbrück concentration camp.
Sister Kate McCarthy: A Life of Resistance and Survival
McCarthy was critical in assisting the French Resistance and helping up to 200 Allied servicemen escape. Arrested by the Gestapo in 1941, she endured solitary confinement and brutal interrogations before being sent to Ravensbrück. Sentenced to death in 1942, she narrowly avoided execution on multiple occasions, once by jumping out of a window. When liberated in April 1945, she weighed only 70 pounds. She received the Médaille de la Résistance from France and honors from Britain for her service. After the war, she returned to Ireland, serving as mother superior at a home for the elderly until her sudden death in 1971.
Other Irish Nuns Who Defied the Nazis
McCarthy was not alone in her defiance of Nazi rule. Sr. Agnes Flanagan, who worked in Belgium, helped British prisoners of war and destroyed sensitive documents to protect the Resistance. Arrested twice, she survived Ravensbrück and was later honored by the Belgian government. Sr. Noreen Dennehy aided Msgr. Hugh O’Flaherty’s Rome Escape Line, which sheltered Allied POWs and Jewish families. Sr. Agnes (Clare) Walsh, originally from Britain but with Irish ties, saved a Jewish family in France, earning recognition as Righteous Among the Nations by Israel.
Calls for Recognition of These Unsung Heroes
As more historical records emerge, there is growing support for commemorating these brave Irish women. Advocates suggest a film or statue in McCarthy’s honor, similar to O’Flaherty’s portrayal in The Scarlet and the Black. The book has been well received, highlighting the importance of acknowledging women’s overlooked roles in wartime history.
A Story with Modern-Day Resonance
Finn notes that the book’s themes remain relevant today, drawing parallels between the rise of authoritarianism in the 1930s and current global political trends. She emphasizes how ordinary people—nuns, teachers, and housewives—made extraordinary sacrifices, showing resilience in the face of oppression. Their legacy serves as an enduring reminder of the power of moral courage.
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Irish nuns were active in the anti-fascist resistance during World War II
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