Tipperary town is the venue for a very special event to mark International Women’s Day. The event will take place on the evening of March 7th due to the Referendum vote on March 8th
The event features poetry as a means of reflection and expression on Reconciliation and Commemoration centered on the Soloheadbeg Ambush one century after the first engagement of the Irish Civil War
Dublin based writer Anna O Laoghaire and Cahir’s Annette Condon will share their own personal connections to the event that triggered the War of Independence.
The two writers became aware of their shared history at a Symposium on Poetry as Commemoration held at UCD in 2023. Anna, the great granddaughter of James McDonnell, one of the men killed at Sologhead had visited Tipperary town on the centenary of his death to discover that four local people had visited his grave in January 2019 and laid a wreath to mark the occasion.. Mr McDonnell had 7 children, three of whom died in infancy, his death left the children as orphans – his wife Anastasia having died in 1917. At the symposium Anna shared the poem, Sentinels, inspired by this gesture.
Annette was in the audience and shared that the IRA volunteers involved had taken shelter at her Aunt’s home, Tincurry House after the ambush. Tincurry House was the home of Marian Tobin, it would subsequently be destroyed by fire during the War of Independence. Annette composed Tincurry House in response to this event.
The two ladies have since collaborated to produce two new pieces of poetry and these will also feature on the night.
In addition to the four poems the audience will enjoy a panel discussion on the themes of commemoration, reconciliation, women’s approach to such issues and a special contribution by Trish McHale, a tutor to local creative writing groups.
Local historian and film maker Mary Alice O’Connor and Dr. Catherine Wilsdon, Creative Producer, Poetry as Commemoration will also make contributions on the night.
The campaign theme for International Women’s Day 2024 is Inspire Inclusion. Annette Condon says “When we inspire others to understand our perspectives, I believe that we forge a better world. In my experience, meeting Anna and talking about our shared history has helped break down barriers and deepen our collective understanding of the past.”The event is scheduled to begin at 7pm and to conclude at 8.30pm. There is no admission charge and refreshments will be provided at the conclusion. The event will be held in the Tipperary town library at the Excel Centre on Mitchell Street, E34 KP60.
L-R Mary Alice O’Connor, Trish McHale, the late Elizabeth McDonnell, Anna O Laoghaire, Annette Condon, the late Marian Tobin and Catherine Fogarty.
