First page of the ledger containing 1015 names of women signing against conscription on June 9th 1918 in Kilkenny © Kilkenny Archaeological Society

A ledger in the KAS archives at Rothe House contains the signatures of 1015 women who marched through Kilkenny on 9th June 1918. When they reached the Tholsel, the women signed their names and addresses under a pledge opposing conscription to the British army. They pledged they would not take men’s jobs if conscription was introduced.

The pledge was written in Irish and in English. Many of the women, nearly all of whom had addresses in Kilkenny city, signed their names in Irish.

The full list of names and addresses has been converted into an online database  that is sortable by name, street, ID (number on list) or page number. If you would prefer a printable version (each pdf document is 14 pages), click here for a table sorted by name and here for a table sorted by address.

During the course of 2018, KAS collected stories, biographies and photos of as many of the women as possible.

Public events were were held in May and September 2018 to publicise the project and to share stories of some of the women.
You can find these stories, and the stories of many more of the women, on this website and in the KAS Library at Rothe House.

We continue to welcome information about any of the Lá na mBan women.

* By sending the information/ photographs to the above mentioned email address, you agree that they will be kept in the KAS archive and be available to the public.

Flip through digital ledger

Digital version of the ledger containing 1,015 signatures against conscription

KAS’s Lá na mBan project is being funded under the Decade of Commemorations strand of the Creative Ireland programme, in partnership with Kilkenny County Council.