otherwise
Mary Cregan, Máirín Creegan, or Máirín Ni Chriagáin
or
Maureen Ryan, wife of Dr. James Ryan.

Mary E. Cregan married James Ryan in Loughrea, Co. Galway, in July 1919.

Better known as an author, under the Irish language version of her maiden name,
Máirín Ni Chriagáin


An appreciation was published in The Irish Times

DEATH OF MRS. MAIRIN RYAN

Mrs. Mairin Ryan, who wrote children's folk tales which were translated into many languages and who was Gavan Duffy's secretary when he was Minister for External Affairs in the first Dail, died in Dublin yesterday after a long illness. She was the widow of Dr. Jim Ryan, who held many ministerial posts in Fianna Fail governments up to the 1960's.

Mrs. Ryan, who was over 80, had been writing a novel based upon the 1916-'21 period during her illness, and only last week had dictated the last page of the book.
She had written, many years ago, "Old John", a fairy story which was translated into ten languages. Only this year it was republished in Irish by An Gum and has been illustrated by Jack B. Yeats. The new edition contains the paintings in loose sheets.

Another book "Rathina", was also a great success, and Mrs. Ryan received the United States "Downey Award" for the best children's story of the year. It was a story about a family of children and horses, somewhat like a recent B.B.C. serial. This book was also translated into many languages.

Mrs. Ryan was actively associated with Sinn Fein and was a leading member of Cumann na mBhan. She took part in the 1916 Rising and between 1917 and 1921 was a Republican courier to Germany. As secretary to Gavan Duffy she traveled abroad on missions for him. Imprisoned with her husband in 1920-'21 shortly after her first son had been born, her name was raised in the House of Commons. Mr. (now Lord) Fenner Brockway had protested against two parents of a very young child being imprisoned at the same time.

In 1922 she took the Republican side and sided with Mr. de Valera when he formed Fianna Fail in 1926 and entered the Dail in 1927.

Her interests stretched far beyond politics, however, to the theatre and literature. She was known to many writers and playwrights. In her young days she had quite a reputation as a singer and won many medals for her grace and skill as an Irish step-dancer. She also was active in a number of charitable organisations, including the St. Vincent de Paul Society. She was welcome everywhere for her lively intelligence and charm.

M. McL.



From
Irishmedals.org.

She carried despatches for Sean MacDermott and Gearoid O'Sullivan containing information on the landing of the 'Aud'. She went to Tralee and delivered the messages to Austin Stack and Patrick Cahill. She also brought automatic revolvers and ammunition with her. She was arrested on the 16th of February 1921 and was tried by Court-martial. She was sentenced to three-months hard labour in Waterford jail, but she was released against £50. Following this, she escaped arrest several times and in February 1920, she was sent to the Office of Foreign Affairs to report to Arthur Griffith. She carried dispatches to London and Paris up to the end of June 1922. She worked with de Valera, Oscar Traynor and Austin Stack, carrying dispatches to various places in Dublin and in the summer 1922, she was sent officially to Berlin to meet Mr J.T.Ryan to bring back money in his possession, the money was acquired in the United States. She was sent by de Valera to announce the cease fire to all the foreign legations namely London and Paris and the Pope.