Ellen Ryan (5 July 1881 – 8 December 1959) was an Irish nationalist, Cumann na mBan organiser and County Councillor.

[5] Ryan and her family "played an important role in revolutionary politics and helped shape the new Free State.

Josephine married Richard Mulcahy, commander in chief of the Irish Republican Army and later a Minister in the Fine Gael government.

Ryan was one of the few women who were subsequently deported to Lewes Prison, England, along with Winifred Carney, Helena Molony, Marie Perotz-Flanagan, Bríd Foley and Countess Markievicz.

[9] On her return to Ireland, Ryan resumed her activities with Cumann na mBan, where she reorganised and expanded branches in Wexford.

[4] Although her sister Min was married to General Richard Mulcahy, Chief of Staff of the National Army, she did not receive preferential treatment.

"[12] The Civil War had a huge impact on the Ryan family as Min backed her husband's support of the Treaty, as did her sister Agnes, but Nell and the other siblings were anti-Treaty.

[13] Her friendship with Kathleen Browne, who had been arrested with Ryan after the Rising and who later supported the Treaty, did not survive the Civil War.

[14] Ryan became a member of Fianna Fáil when it was established in 1926 and served on its national executive, representing south Wexford.

[7] At her funeral, members of Cumann na mBan formed a guard of honour and her coffin was draped in the tricolour of the Irish Republic.