Republicans have been paying tributes following the passing of two activists who fought to change Ireland for the better.

Margaretta D’Arcy (pictured, left), Galway’s pirate radio Queen who spent her life defending the vulnerable and fighting for Irish neutrality, died aged 91 on Sunday.

Her long life of activism began in the early 1960s when she joined the British-based anti-war movement, the Committee of 100.

In 1981, Margaretta’s anti-war activism resulted in her being incarcerated in Armagh Women’s Gaol.

Margaretta wrote of her experiences in prison during the H-Block and Armagh Gaol no-wash protests with the book ‘Tell Them Everything’. This was one of the earliest accounts of the experiences of female republican prisoners in Armagh Women’s Gaol.

Throughout the decades, Margaretta was heavily involved in the defence of Irish neutrality and was imprisoned for exposing the United States military’s use of Ireland as a stopover point on the way to war.

Her home in Galway became a base for an anti-censorship homemade radio station, and she herself became known as the ‘pirate radio queen’—after the legendary Irish leader Granuaile.

She recently handed back her honorary doctorate to the University of Galway in protest over its research links to Israel. In addition to her passion and dedication to peace and justice, she was a member of Aosdána, the Irish association of artists that recognises outstanding contributions to the arts in Ireland.

In a statement, Éirígí said it “recognises Margaretta D’Arcy’s significant contribution in the fight for a world free of the ravages of war. We offer our deepest condolences to Margaretta’s family, friends and comrades as they mourn her death.”

The Irish Palestinian Solidarity Committee described Margaretta as a “fierce, fearless artist and anti-war activist”.

The Shannonwatch campaign, which fights to oppose NATO’s militarisation of Shannon Airport, said it would “miss her unwavering and uncompromising commitment to peace and justice, and her determination to hold the authorities and politicians to account for their complicity in war.”

Margaretta will be reposing in Conneely’s Funeral Home, Flood St., Galway on Wednesday 26th November from 6pm until 8pm. Cremation service in The Victoria Chapel, Mount Jerome, Dublin on Friday 28th November at 2.30pm.

A Memorial Celebration of Margaretta’s life will take place in The Galway Rowing Club on Nollaig na mBan, Tuesday, January 6th 2026.

‘STEADFAST’

Meanwhile, republicans throughout Ireland were deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Twinbrook legend Geraldine Taylor (pictured, right), who died on Monday.

A lifelong republican and former Adjutant in Cumann na mBan and O/C in Belfast, who was also interned in Armagh Gaol, she became a prominent figure in Republican Sinn Féin.

The Irish Republican Martyrs Commemorative Committee described her as “a true daughter of Ireland”.

“Geraldine remained steadfast throughout her life in her allegiance to the republican cause for Irish freedom, principled and wholeheartedly faithful to the last. Ireland has lost one of the truly last faithful few.

Cumann Na Saoirse Náisiúnta also remembered her for her visits to the US as a Republican speaker and campaigner.

“She became a dear friend and comrade to many of us. She believed in the All Ireland Republic, upheld the spirit of 1916 and truly knew that Ireland unfree would never be at peace.”

In a Facebook post, former Republican Sinn Féin President Des Dalton expressed his deepest sympathy to the Taylor family.

“I was proud to have known Geraldine as a comrade and friend for almost 40 years. She was a true Republican in the truest meaning of that word. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam dílis.”

Geraldine will be reposing at her home at 9 Aspen Park, Twinbrook. (Family and friends welcome between 2pm to 10pm). Geraldine will then leave her home on Friday at 12:30 to arrive at St. Luke’s Church for 1pm Requiem Mass followed by burial in Milltown cemetery. Now in the arms of Christ R.I.P Geraldine. Go dtuga tú suaimhneas i síocháin, ár gcara daor agus ár gcomrádaí an chróga Geraldine Taylor dílis go dtí an deireadh.