 She opposed militancy within the Irish suffrage movement, and her nationalist views caused irritation to other members.Influenced by her younger brother Terence MacSwiney's staunch Irish republicanism, she joined the Gaelic League and Inghinidhe na hÉireann.She was a founder member of Cumann na mBan when it was formed in 1914 in Cork, and became a National Vice-President of the organisation.