Mná Dhuthalla WOMEN OF DUHALLOW

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Mná Dhuthalla Alice Taylor: Contribution to Literature. BACKGROUND TO DUHALLOW WOMENS FORUM - Mná Dhuthalla The initial aim of this project was to try and Edel Quinn: The Legion of Mary. Background to the Forum the past 14 years. The opportunity for women’s capture the strong sense of local identity that Nora Herlihy: Women’s Contribution To Social IRD Duhallow established the Forum in 1997 groups from Duhallow to collaborate and network characterises Duhallow and to project this Finance. with each other has allowed for the sharing of image positively both within and outside of in a direct response to the identified needs of Lisa Aherne: Women And Music And Song. women from the region. At that time it was information and ideas and has succeeded in the region. Through LEADER supported highlighted that many women remained hidden building the confidence levels of women in the animation and capacity building actions, this Nora Burton: The Irish Country Women’s and disempowered within rural areas. This was region, through encouraging their participation project has created new social networks for Association. due to various interacting factors including in a wide range of training courses, workshops, women in the area and enabled the forum to Nora Herlihy (Nee O’Leary): Survivor Of The inadequate childcare facilities, shortage of seminars and conferences. develop the project. HMS Titanic. public or private transport services, few training AAmong the projects that that the Forum The forum believes that awareness raising and Julia Clifford: Women And The Music Of Sliabh opportunities, isolation within the home pioneered, their most ambitious to date is advocacy is central to the development and Luachra. and absence of adequate support facilities. certainly the acknowledgment and recognition of continuation of the forums success. Therefore St Laitiaran: Women And Folklore. Responding to these needs the Forum aimed to notable women from Duhallow. In 2000 under a number of meetings were held to try and Danu: The Goddess. provide support to women’s groups by acting as the LEADER + Strategic Plan 2000-2006 and look at and approach ways of engaging greater an umbrella organisation which allowed for the Local Development Social Inclusion Programme participation of women. These ideas led to the Sarah Curran: Romantic Figure. opportunity to network and share information, 2000-2006 IRD Duhallow established a strategic core project; the publication of a calendar for Sr Consilio And Sr Agnes Fitzgerald: ideas and experiences. framework of objectives to be met over the course 2004, with each month celebrating the life of a Women And Social Change. The Duhallow Women’s Forum is one of a of seven years. The LEADER + Strategic Plan notable Duhallow woman. promoted the model of asset based community The Mná Dhuthalla Calendar promoted social number of initiatives developed initially by In nominating women to put forward for IRD Duhallow under the Local Development development through the theme “Making the inclusion and encouraged female participation best use of Natural & Cultural Resources”. It selection, extensive advertising was undertaken in local, community and their own personal Social Inclusion Programme and more recently through the IRD Duhallow Community under the Local Community and Development was consistently recognised that Duhallow’s most development. As a result of this ambitious project significant resource is its ‘people’. The people of Newsletter, adverts on local radio and there has been increased participation of women’s Programme. Under this programme the Forum newspapers and all local women’s groups. focused on enhancing the participation of Duhallow have preserved traditional and uniquely groups on the forum. This project has captured regional styles of artistic expression in music, There was a trawl through several women’s the strong sense of local identity that characterises women in community development and local names from all ages and spheres of life that decision making. song, poetry and dance. People are at the centre Duhallow, and its initial aim of projecting a of preserving, fostering and further developing were put forward from every parish and positive image both within and outside of the women’s group in Duhallow. The most difficult Nationally the culture of Duhallow and local social networks. region has indeed been achieved. Huge support Building on this the Local Development Social job was in choosing the twelve—at that we from the Duhallow region, as well as regionally Nationally IRD Duhallow and the Duhallow Inclusion Programme focused on preparing managed to squeeze in thirteen as two were and nationally has been attained with sales in New Women’s Forum are recognised as playing a and supporting the most disadvantaged in sisters in life and religion. Those selected depict Zealand, USA, Canada, Australia, South Africa, significant role in promoting the role of women the community e.g. disadvantaged women every possible role model a woman could wish England and Scotland. Through LEADER and in society. Our affiliation to the National to participate in community and enterprise to emulate from goddess to hopeless romantic Local Development Social Inclusion Programme, Women’s Council of has given us a voice development projects. The Duhallow Women’s and from care givers to social leaders. The this project has created new social networks for at national level to promote rural women’s rights forum therefore designed a method to reach both objective of the project was to recognise and the Women’s Forum and has enabled a group and equality while also playing a significant role the objective designed under the LEADER + highlight the magnificent contribution women of female initiators to become successful project in local and national policy and decision making. Strategic plan as well as the Local Development have made to Duhallow but in most cases still promoters and contribute to a collective learning Social Inclusion Programme. This innovative remain unsung heroes. The women selected process. The Forum continues to build on the Mna Impact of the Duhallow Women’s Forum project is known as Mná Dhuthalla. were as follows Dhuthalla theme, honoring the contribution and in Duhallow Hanna Sheehy Skeffington: Women And The achievements of one of these women annually. The Duhallow Women’s Forum has played a Right To Vote. substantial role in the lives of local women for

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Alice Taylor ALICE TAYLOR Mná Dhuthalla...contribution to Literature Alice Taylor was born on 28 February collection of poetry was published and 1938 on a farm in Lisdangan, A Country Miscellany, a collection of Newmarket in Duhallow, Co into writings about aspects of country life a family of seven. She went to school was published in the autumn of 1998. across the fi elds to Dromanarigle, which Alice is also a poet, and in October 2009 later became the subject of her best she published her fourth collection, The selling book of childhood memories Journey: New and Selected Poems. More “To School Through The Fields”. recently Alice published in 2008 her Leaving Dromanarigle she went for latest book entitled “The Parish”, this fi ve years to St Mary’s Secondary book deals with the growing realisation School in Newmarket walking the three that local community is very precious miles back and forth daily and then to and must be nurtured. Alice explores Drishane Convent and she recalled the positive values of social community theses memories in “Quench the and the extraordinary things that the Lamp”. Alice worked as a telephonist in members of a close knit community do Killarney and Bandon, later she married for each other. Alice’s books have been and went to live in the beautiful village translated into many languages. of Innishannon in West Cork. She and her husband, Gabriel Murphy, have four Alice was honoured at the launch of sons and one daughter. Innishannon the calendar titled “Duhallow Women became the subject of her book “The in Focus” whereby she gave a short Village” recalling the changing face of presentation on her achievements and Ireland. Alice has appeared on radio work to date. Also in her honour the programmes such as Woman’s Hour, Women’s Forum organized Creative Midweek and the Gloria Hunniford Writing Workshops for beginners and Show, and she has been the subject of advanced writers. These workshops major profi les in the Observer and the provided people with an insight into Mail on Sunday. In 1997 her fi rst novel, the art of creative writing. There were the Woman of the House, was published also taught how to structure their letter by Mount Eagle and was an immediate writing, story telling and much more. In bestseller in Ireland. A moving story of 2007, Alice Taylor was further acclaimed land, love and family, it was followed with the erection of a Monument in by a sequel, Across the River in 2000, Newmarket honouring her work and Right: Alice Talyor Monument erected in her hometown of Newmarket which was also a bestseller. In the spring achievements to date. of 1998 Going to the Well, her third

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Nora Herlihy NORA HERLIHY Mná Dhuthalla...contribution to Social Finance Born in 1910 in Ballydesmond Village, On the centenary of the Birth of Nora Duhallow, Co Cork, Nora Herlihy the Herlihy the Duhallow Women’s Forum Credit Union Pioneer, fi rst qualifi ed was anxious to mark this occasion along as a national school teacher. After with the Centre of Co-operative Studies, researching the work of credit unions in conjunction with the Department of in the United States and Canada, she Geography at University College Cork was convinced of their potential for it was deemed that that a landmark Ireland. By 1957 she was providing an publication would be a fi tting way to information service from her home, commemorate the centenary of Nora which aided the formation of the fi rst two Herlihy’s Birth. This volume of essays credit unions in 1958. This developed “The Origins, Ethos and Evolution into a movement in Ireland which was of Co-operative Credit in Ireland” one of the largest voluntary movements Celebrating the Centenary of the Birth in the country pioneered by a woman of Nora Herlihy” is a celebration of who was an exceptionally strong and the Credit Union Movement – Nora independent woman, at a time in Ireland Herlihy’s great legacy to Irish Society. when women did not hold positions of In addition this book will be launched at power in society. In 1960 the League of an upcoming conference entitled “The Credit Unions was established with Nora Role of Rural Women in a Recession, A as its fi rst Managing Director. In 1966 Conference in honour of Nora Herlihy the then President Éamonn de Valera – Credit Union Pioneer” presented Nora with an autographed copy of the Credit Union Act. Elected Because of the key role Nora Herlihy has Life Director of the League of Credit played in Irish society, the proceeds of Unions the same year, Nora also held this book will go towards the erection of the position of Chairperson of the a public art monument to Nora Herlihy, Statutory Advisory Committee until a fi tting tribute to her and an important 1980. She died in 1988 on the 28th development in the preservation of our Anniversary of the founding of the heritage. Irish League of Credit Unions, leaving a powerful legacy in a thriving credit union movement that currently has 535 credit unions throughout Ireland, with 2.5 million individual members and savings approaching €8 Billion. Nora Herlihy with Eamon De Valera signing the Credit Union Act

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Sarah Curran SARAH CURRAN (1782 – 1808) Mná Dhuthalla...Romantic Figure Sarah Curran is one of the great romantic fi gures of Irish history. “Oh! Make her a grave where the sunbeams rest When they promise a glorious morrow; They’ll shine o’er her sleep like a smile from the west, From her own loved island of sorrow.”

Sarah Curran became one of the great romantic fi gures of Irish history as a result of Moore’s song “She is far from the Land”. The daughter of John Philpott Curran, she was born in Newmarket, Co. Cork. The family moved to , where Sarah met and fell in love with Robert Emmet. After Emmet’s rebellion failed, Sarah’s involvement with him became known. Angry that his daughter had been compromised, Curran refused to act as his lawyer. After Emmet was executed, Sarah found refuge in the house of Cooper Penrose, an old friend of her fathers, near Tivoli in Cork. She married an English army offi cer called Henry Sturgeon in 1805.

She is buried with her grandmother’s people, the Philpotts, in the Church of Ireland graveyard in Newmarket.

A life size sculpture has since been dedicated to Sarah Curran in Newmarket.

Right: Sarah Curran Monument erected in Newmarket Town

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Hanna Sheehy - Skeffi ngton HANNA SHEEHY - SKEFFINGTON Mná Dhuthalla...and the right to vote Hanna Sheehy - Skeffi ngton was born on In 1916, Francis was brutally murdered by 23rd May 1877 in Millhouse, Kanturk, in Captain Bowen Colthurst because he was in Duhallow, Co. Cork into a highly political the wrong place at the wrong time. He was family. Her father, David Sheehy, was an shot not as a rebel, but because of his well Irish party MP and her uncle Eugene, a known anti military views. He was actually priest, was a member of the Irish Republican involved in attempting to stop the looting Brotherhood. which occurred during the carnage in those From a very early age in her life Hanna believed few short days of 1916, which have become in women’s rights, even to the detriment of her known as the Easter Rising. relationship with her conservative father. She Hanna was an energetic public speaker with was an outspoken suffragette, whose father remarkable integrity. She was an astute always worked against her efforts to obtain militant and radical intellectual who hoped the vote for women. She was educated by for a “generation of new, strong Sheehy the Dominicans and graduated with a degree Skeffi ngton women”. from the Royal University. Hanna Sheehy Skeffi ngton was one of the In 1900, Hanna met perhaps the only most remarkable of all the activists produced Irishman ever to call himself a feminist - the by revolutionary Ireland. A speaker of pacifi st, Francis Skeffi ngton. Impressively, he extraordinary acumen and discernment, she integrated Hanna’s surname with his own was well versed in international as well as Irish when they married in 1903. Their son Owen national affairs and was infl uential in literary, was born in 1909. The union of two radical, political, pacifi st and feminist movements. progressive thinkers was a touching one as In the end Hanna was simply worn out by they were completely devoted to each other. her lifestyle. She died in April of 1946. In 1908 Hanna and Francis, with their In order to mark Hannah Sheehy-Skeffi ngton’s friends Gretta and James Cousins, founded contribution to Irish life and society, the the militant Irish Women’s Franchise League Duhallow Women’s Forum commissioned a to fi ght for women’s right to vote and for sculpture of her. This consisted of a life size women’s citizenship to be included in the fi gure of her in bronze along with a vote box. Home Rule Bill. Hanna went to prison in This sculpture was erected in the old Town 1912 after a window smashing protest against Park, Kanturk. Also a conference on “Women the refusal of the Irish Party to support votes in Politics and Decision Making” – Open for women. She was imprisoned again in Lecture on Hanna Sheehy – Skeffi ngton was Right: Hanna Sheehy-Skeffi ngton Sculpture 1914. During the Easter Rising she carried in the Old Town Park, Kanturk held in honour of Hanna considering her supplies and messages between outposts. special relevance as an Irish Feminist and active suffrage campaigner.

10 11 Mná Dhuthalla WOMEN OF DUHALLOW Mná Dhuthalla WOMEN OF DUHALLOW DANÚ DANÚ Danú, sometimes referred to as Anú, is the ancient has very strong associations with this region, the Mná Dhuthalla...the Goddess Celtic goddess of fertility, prosperity and comfort, fertile Blackwater valley playing a vital and integral and has representation in other forms across Europe, part in the lives of the inhabitants from pre-Christian such as Dennitsa (Russian), Danae (classical Greek) times to the 21st century. Habitation of this region and Dinah (Hebrew), as well as linking her with the during the pre-Christian era is strongly evident in role of Earth Mother. Comparisons have also been the many ancient ring forts and settlements to be made by a number of scholars between Danú and found in Duhallow region, and many place names the Greek goddess Demeter. Many place names in the area may be associated with these settlements throughout Europe are derived from the name of and agricultural practices, such as names beginning Danú, examples being the River Danube, the River with Lios (e.g. Lisnashearshane (near Cullen)- Lios Don and Denmark. In Celtic legend, it was thought na Seirsean – Fort of the Arches) or Rath (Rathroe that the Tuatha De Dannann, the ancient Celtic (near Derrinagree) – Rath Ruagh – Red Fort). warrior-race, were descended from her and her Dromtariffe (Drom Tairbh – Ridge of the Bull) is consort, Bile. another example of an agriculturally associated Danú’s primary associations are with the processes of place name in Duhallow, signifying the value placed the agricultural cycle, as throughout Europe, Britain on cattle in the area then, as now. and Ireland, in particular Munster, she was highly A number of Holy Wells are also evident in the revered by pre-Christian agricultural communities as Duhallow area. Pattern Days were held to honour the guardian of cattle and health. Farming and land the saints associated with each well. The City in cultivation were of vital importance to those ancient Shrone, at the foot of the Paps, known in Irish as Celtic people providing food and sustenance to see Cathair Crobh Dhearg is a prime example. This them through the long bleak winter. area was named for a local saint, St. Crobh Dearg, During the ancient festival of Beltane (celebrated on who has been linked by scholars in a triad with St. 01 May), which heralded the end of the long dark Laitiaran (Cullen) and St. Gobnait (Ballyvourney). winter, and gave the promise of brighter summer Many scholars believe that sites such as this were days ahead, fi res (known as Bel-Fires or Need-Fires) originally ancient pagan sites of worship that were were lit on high ground, and livestock were herded subsequently Christianised. In the pre-Christian/ between these fi res, tradition has it, to ensure their Celtic era, a beautiful woman-Goddess Créide (the health and fertility for the coming year. The ashes Celtic version of St. Crobh Dearg, or a derivative of from the fi res were then scattered in the fi elds, to Danu, perhaps?), was associated with the same area, ensure a bountiful harvest. These rituals would and legend has it that she was declared by Fionn be carried out to “appease” the ancient deities, MacCumhail to be “...the greatest fl irt in Ireland.” Left: Danu Goddess of Fertility particularly Danú, the earth mother. A conference entitled “A Spirit of Belonging” Monument erected in Rathmore In Duhallow, Danú is associated with two hills in was held marking spirituality and its connections its South Western region, known in Irish as Dhá with women and folklore. A monument was also Chíoch Anann or The Paps of Danú. Agriculture dedicated to DANU in Rathmore.

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Nora Herlihy (nee O’Leary) NORA HERLIHY (nee O’Leary) Mná Dhuthalla...on the HMS Titanic Nora was born in Glencollins, had journeyed to meet her at the dock Ballydesmond on the Cork-Kerry from her home in West 11th Street New Border of Duhallow on June 10th 1895. York. Together they sent a telegram to She was only 16 when she boarded their parents in Ballydesmond, “Nora the titanic on ticket number 330919 at safe and sound” was the import of the Queenstown (Cobh). It is guessed that message. Nora was saved in lifeboat 13, which was launched from the starboard side at Nora had made great friends with the approximately 1.40am. Irish men and women in the steerage rooms and commented, “We had made Nora stated that a lifeboat was being plans to meet when we arrived – I know fi lled and an offi cer was calling for now that I will never meet most of them people to get in. She decided to enter again.” She would remain in New York the craft as a precaution, believing it for 9 years before returning home to would soon return to the Titanic. As the Ireland. lifeboat was being rowed away from the Titanic, she realised something dreadful Nora married Thomas J (Tim) Herlihy was happening. Someone started saying and remained in Ireland where she the rosary with the large number of Irish raised her family in Ballydesmond. She who were in the boat. Mentally Nora was buried very close to fellow Titanic thanked God that she hadn’t decided to passenger Mr Danny Buckley who was go back to her cabin for her case. killed fi ghting in France for the US forces during the First World War 57 When allowed off the Cunarder with years earlier. the other survivors, Nora recalled seeing thousands of New Yorkers waiting at the As the Centenary of RMS Titanic’s quayside in the thunderstorm night. It Maiden Voyage and tragic loss was only then, she said, that she realised approaches in April 2012, the Duhallow what had actually happened. She Women’s Forum aims to mark this event collapsed with delayed shock into the and mark the life of Nora Herlihy (nee arms of her sister, Katie O’Leary who O’ Leary).

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The Legend of St. Laitiaran THE LEGEND OF SAINT LAITIARAN Mná Dhuthalla...Women and Folklore Laitiaran, the youngest of three sister saints (originally Pre-Christian goddesses) went every morning to the local blacksmith to collect live embers with which to light her fi re. These she carried home in her skirt without getting burnt – such was her miraculous powers. One morning, however, as she lifted her skirt to take the embers, the blacksmith remarked on her shapely legs. She glanced proudly at her legs and because of this pride; the embers began to burn her. As Dónall O Conchúir recorded the incident:

She then proceeded to curse the unfortunate blacksmith and for this reason this trade has never since prospered in Cullen! She then sank into the ground to re- emerge at the well, a hundred paces away, below the old graveyard. The spot where she disappeared was marked with a waist-high, heart-shaped boulder on the village green. At the start of the harvest it was customary for women in Cullen to genufl ect to this boulder.

Laitiaran’s Day is a Sunday in late July, when the Feis or festival of Laitiaran, of traditional Irish song and dance, is still held. Up until thirty or so years ago this was accompanied by a great street gathering of travelling peoples’ stalls and sideshows, fi lling the village street.

St. Laitiaran’s Well – Cullen: St. Laitiaran, a revered fi gure shrouded in folklore, is remembered on July 25th when rounds are made at her well. This commemoration is connected with the pre-Christian festival of Lughnasa. This well is one of the “Three Sisters”; the others are Cill Lasaer in Boherbue and Ingean Bhui in Dromtariffe. Each has a different Pattern Day, where rounds are paid at the well, Cill Lasear celebrates the start of Spring, Ingean Bhui to celebrate the start of Summer and St. Laitiaran’s to celebrate the Harvest.

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Lisa Aherne LISA AHERNE Mná Dhuthalla...Music and Song Lisa Aherne is a singer blessed with partnership has gone from strength an awesome vocal range and dexterity. to strength. Her debut album “The Her ability to re-interpret and adapt Awakening” was nominated in the “Best material is unmatched. She breathes life New Irish Act” category of the IRMA into every song that she approaches. To music awards. Having performed on be able to make material live and swing all national TV shows in Ireland “The is no easy task but it’s one which Lisa Late Late Show”, “Kenny Live”, “Open does with aplomb. House”, “Live at Three”, TG4, Sibin, Ardan and other European TV and Indigenous to Gneeves, Boherbue, in Radio shows. Lisa was signed by one Duhallow , Lisa started of the biggest record companies in the singing at the very early age of three. world, MCA, in 1996. The local church was the scene of some of her earliest performances. Lisa was Lisa has toured extensively all over infl uenced by almost everybody from the world with world-class musicians, Bessie Smith to Rosemary Clooney. No promoting her cd, video and DVD copyist, Lisa’s style is entirely her own of “Live at the Citywest Dublin” and and this style has also won her many most recently her brand new album, competitions and prizes. video and DVD recorded at the Friary Church Killarney, entitled “Reel Spirit”. Lisa has a Bachelor of Arts in French Lisa continues to explore new musical and History, with a H.Dip. in Education avenues and genres. from University College Cork. Lisa is a secondary school teacher at Holy Cross Lisa resides in Kerry with her husband College, Kenmare, Co Kerry. and well-known musician Liam O’Connor and their three children She fi rst started performing with Liam Saoirse, Oisin and Cillian. O’Connor in 1989 and their musical

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Edel Quinn EDEL QUINN Mná Dhuthalla...in Missionary Work Edel Quinn was born in Castlemagner love too much; let us give utterly and in the Duhallow region of Co Cork not count the cost”. After eight years of on 14th September 1907. As a girl her heroic labour Edel died in Nairobi on ambition was to enter a contemplative 12th May 1944. The Diocesan process, convent but she was prevented from fi rst step towards her beatifi cation, has doing so by ill health. been set in motion by the Archbishop of Nairobi. At present Edel Quinn’s status At the age of twenty she joined the is venerable and the Legion of Mary Legion of Mary in Dublin and gave encourages all prayers to be offered for herself entirely to the Legion apostolate. the intercession of Edel Quinn. In 1932, seriously ill, she spent a long time in hospital but decided to resume In 2008, the Forum hosted a conference legion work. in Honour of the Venerable Edel Quinn, Legion of Mary Missionary In 1936 she was appointed Legion of entitled “Tackling Rural Isolation...The Mary envoy to establish the organisation Role of Community Volunteers”. This in East and Central Africa. Working conference was indeed a celebration of alone and battling against great Edel Quinn’s life and marked her role obstacles she established the legion in society as giving herself to others on an enduring basis even as far as without consideration of herself. This Mauritius in the Indian Ocean. She conference also allowed for the offi cial mobilised thousands of Africans in the launch of a Report by IRD Duhallow on service of the Church and hundreds of the Needs of Older People in Duhallow Legion branches and multiple councils and launched the Duhallow Care and were fi rmly established. Repair Programme. A monument was erected to honour Edel Quinn in “What boundless trust we should have in Castlemagner Church Grounds. God’s love!” she noted. “We can never

Right: Edel Quinn Monument erected in the grounds of Castlemagner Church

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Nora Burton NORA BURTON Nora Burton was born in The Square, an invitation to accept the nomination as Mná Dhuthalla...the Irish Country Women’s Association Millstreet in Duhallow Co Cork. Nora was World Vice President. After the conference the Irish Country Women’s Association she toured 7 sates in the USA as guest of (ICA) national president from 1964-1967 the National Farm and Garden Women’s and president of the Ballinhassig guild 1954- Association, being the Grace Freysinger 57. She has had the distinction of being the Scholarship award – of that triennial. fi rst woman to be elected on the council of The following letter was published in “The the Irish Agricultural Institute, the national Irish Countrywoman”, 1970. research body set up by the government to deal with all aspects of agricultural “The Federated Women’s Institute of research. Canada (F.W.I.C) wish to nominate you as a deputy President of the Associated Country As National President of the ICA, Mrs. Women of the World, for the term 1971 Burton concluded her presidential address in – 1974. 1969 with the words: So many of our Directors were much “Don’t ever forget that one of the main aims impressed with your ability and charm when of the ICA membership is self fulfi lment they attended the A.C.W.W Conference in through self help and mutual help. What Dublin, 1965, that it seems to them, and others better way to attain fulfi lment than through to whom they have related their experiences, the development of our talents?” that you have the qualities needed for those most important international offi ce. This too was the theme of her presidency of the Federation. Every woman had the The F.W.I.C sincerely hope that they may right to realise her potential, she felt, and have your consent to this nomination.” every woman should be encouraged to avail Unfortunately, Mrs Burton was unable of the resources about her – adult education to accept the honour offered to her. courses, libraries, museums, and art galleries. Nevertheless, the proposed nomination was An inspiration to ICA members in Cork, her a great personal tribute, as well as a positive talents received national recognition when recognition of the contribution of the ICA she was elected National President and she to this worldwide organisation of women. proved a wonderful ambassador for Ireland during the A.C.W.W (Associated Country Nora Burton was a member of the following Women of the World) Conference, in Dublin, guilds: Ballinhassig, Iniscarra-Ballincollig, 1965. and the Cork Town Associates. Nora was made a Buan Cara in 1982, the highest Delegates who came from all over the world honour in the ICA. spoke of her graciousness and resulted in

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Julia Clifford JULIA CLIFFORD Mná Dhuthalla...and the Music of Sliabh Luachra She was born Julia Murphy in Lisheen her music, she soon returned to Lisheen, Gneevguilla, in the Duhallow region but emigrated again, this time to London of east Kerry, in the district known as in 1935. Sliabh Luachra, a region famed for the dancing of sets and the playing of polkas In London, she played in a number and slides. She came from a family of of Irish dancehalls, together with her very accomplished musicians, and both husband, whom she married in 1941. she and her brother were both pupils of Together, they formed a band and Padraig O’Keeffe, the renowned fi ddle played in a number of venues around master. Cricklewood and Tottenham Court Road, playing a variety of styles of music. According to Julia, in the article “My They returned to Ireland for a number Life and Music”, (Journal of Cumann of years in the 1950’s, and during this Luachra Vol. 1 No. 4) “There was music time formed a band called “The Star in the house morning, noon and night. of Munster”. They played regular All eight of us ... learned the fi ddle.” dates around , Kerry, Clare She states further that “Even when I and , and broadcast on Radio was very small I was mad to play.” which Eireann. Economic circumstances shows the high value placed on music in forced John and Julia to move back to the Murphy household. Her brother London in 1958, where they continued Thady taught her her fi rst tune on the playing various venues frequented by fi ddle, and her father always followed Irish émigrés. She never lost touch with the progress of the budding musicians her roots in Lisheen, and returned home carefully. She states that she won her to visit as often as possible. fi rst competition in Knocknagree (prize 10 shillings!) when she was around 15 She has made a number of recordings, years of age! perhaps the most well-known being “The Humours of Lisheen”. In 1933 she went to Falkirk in Scotland to an aunt and began her nursing studies. However, lonely for Sliabh Luachra and

24 25 Mná Dhuthalla WOMEN OF DUHALLOW Mná Dhuthalla WOMEN OF DUHALLOW

SISTER CONSILIO & SISTER AGNES FITZGERALD

Sister Consilio and Sister Agnes Fitzgerald Both Sister Consilio and Sister Agnes were born The mission statement in is to Mná Dhuthalla...and Social Change and grew up on a farm in Clough, Rockchapel “provide a context in which persons who feel on the Cork border of Kerry in the Duhallow rejected and dejected because of their addictions region. They were educated at Knockaclarig become aware of and earn to deal with the National School and at the Convent of Mercy in underlying problems related to these addictions Abbeyfeale, Co Limerick. and discover their uniqueness, giftedness and real Sister Consilio qualifi ed as a nurse in the North purpose in life.” Infi rmary in Cork and entered the Order of The fi rst Cuan Mhuire Centre was established the in Athy, Co Kildare. She in an old dairy in the grounds of the Sisters of completed her midwifery at St Finbarr’s Hospital Mercy in Athy, Co Kildare in 1996. There are in Cork and her Diploma in Counselling at now centres in Bruree, Co Limerick, , Co Galilee House of Studies, Athy, Co Kildare. Sister Down, and Coolorne, Co Galway. Consilio has received numerous awards for her life achievements to date. Transition houses have been opened in Dublin, Galway and Limerick to provide short-term Sister Agnes came on board in 1982 and runs the accommodation for people in recovery while centre in Bruree, Co Limerick. Prior to this she they are in search of employment and alternative was a national schoolteacher for 30 years in Ardee, accommodation. Co Louth. Responding to the great need, Sister The treatment programme includes Agnes qualifi ed as an addiction counsellor. • Detoxifi cation where necessary • Group Therapy Cuan Mhuire A Haven Of Hope • Individual Counselling Cuan Mhuire is a way of life that is inspired by the • Mediation and relaxation belief that each human being is of eternal value. • Lectures Sr. Consilio The way of life is founded on unconditional love. • Occupational Therapy The fi rst Cuan Mhuire was established in Athy, Both Sr Agnes and Sr Consilio have dedicated Co Kildare in 1966. It came about as a result their lives to helping people overcome addiction of the needs of the day. Sister Consilio became problems and in so doing have infl uenced the lives aware of the plight of many who suffered from of thousands of addicts and their families. addiction to alcohol but were not in a position to obtain treatment and she determined to respond The women’s forum held a conference “Substance to their need. Abuse in the Community” in “Bruach na Cuan Mhuire was and is inspired by the belief Carriage” Rockchapel. The aim of this conference that each human being is of eternal value and is was to explore the issue of substance abuse, the Sr. Agnes capable of leading a full life and growing towards factors contributing to addiction, and to learn wholeness in human and spiritual terms that there about most effective approaches to prevention and are no hopeless cases. intervention.

26 27 JAMES O’ KEEFFE INSTITUTE, NEWMARKET, CO. CORK

TEL: 029 60633

This project has been funded by the IRD Duhallow LEADER Programme 2007-2013 of the Euorpean Agricultural Fund for Rural Development through the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government and the National Development Plan.