Launch of the Women of the Rising Exhibition in Ballyroan Library
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Launch of the Women of the Rising Exhibition in Ballyroan Library
Mayor Sarah Holland welcomed guests to Ballyroan Library on Monday 22nd February for the launch of the ‘1916 Women Rising up Exhibition’ by Deputy Mayor, Cllr. Francis Duffy.
Speaking at the event Mayor Holland said “It is an enormous privilege to be Mayor of South Dublin County for the centenary of the Rising and I am delighted to be launching this exhibition here this evening as it is a most fitting tribute to the memory of the Women of 1916.This exhibition is a collaboration between my colleague Deputy Mayor, Cllr. Francis Noel Duffy, South Dublin Libraries and South Dublin County Council’s Centenary Programme of Events to celebrate the forgotten lives of the women who played a pivotal role in the events of 1916”.
Cllr Francis Duffysaid “I was first acquainted with the women in this exhibition in 2004 when I was surveying Kilmainham Gaol with students from the Dublin School of Architecture where I lecture. I met Niamh O’Sullivan from the Office of Public Works who facilitated a tour of the Gaol where she spoke passionately about the 300+ forgotten women who were interned for their anti-treaty beliefs in the west wing. I was particularly motivated by her speech about the women who did not have national profile or privilege, like Nurse Elizabeth O'Farrell who accompanied Padraig Pearse in the official handing over the surrender documents”.
The women involved in the struggle for Irish political independence between 1916 and 1923 were part of the long tradition of Irish patriotism. No less than the men, they were willing to give their lives for their ideals and to endure the rigors of hunger strike and separation from friends and family for their beliefs. Young mothers in particular suffered during the long months of incarceration. However, history has not remembered them in the same way as their patriotic brothers. In fact, until very recently they have been virtually ignored. The story of women revolutionaries in Kilmainham Gaol had almost passed from memory.
In closing her speech Mayor Holland commented “I think you will all agree that the exhibition is fantastic – and gives a voice to all those women involved in 1916. I would like to say well done to Francis on producing such fabulous work”
The exhibition is currently on display at Ballyroan Library. It will also be going on to Monaghan at a later stage and will tour the Libraries of South Dublin County during 1916.
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Deputy Mayor Cllr Francis Duffy