Nell Ryan was an Irish nationalist, Cumann na mBan organiser and County Councillor. She was a member of the republican Ryan family of Tomcoole. Despite not being involved in the 1916 Rising, she was arrested and imprisoned. On release she joined Sinn Féin and was a regional organiser for Cumann na mBan in Wexford. She was arrested for anti-Treaty activity during the Civil War and went on hunger strike with other female prisoners. She was the first woman elected to Wexford County Council.