Mary Downing (née McCarthy; c.1815–1881)[1] was an Irish poet and nationalist best known by her pen name "Christabel".
Under these names, Downing published a large amount of her verse in the Cork Southern Reporter and the Freeholder.
Downing was a dedicated nationalist, and helped a number of the participants of the failed Young Irelander Rebellion of 1848 escape to France.
Her father remained at the family home in Kilfadda More and in September 1848, James Stephens and Michael Doheny sheltered there while they planned their escape from Ireland.
Stephens refused to take part in this plan, and instead travelled with Downing on the Sabarina posing as her servant boy.