Illustration by Lauren O’Neill
As part of the Decade of Centenaries, the Herstory Education Trust and Wicklow Arts & Heritage Offices have joined forces to produce Wicklow's Wonder Women, a fantastic programme of events on the 5th-6th November 2021 to celebrate the centenaries of two local trailblazers. Averil Deverell (1893 – 1979) was the first Irish woman barrister called to the Bar in 1921 and Kate Tyrrell (1862 – 1921) was the first woman ship’s sea captain in Ireland.
The Wicklow's Wonder Women programme features a spectacular light show, historical talk, experiential Brehon Law Court workshop and fascinating salon event. All events are open to the public and booking is essential, with the exception of the light show which is free.
“Wicklow County Council Arts and Heritage Offices have commissioned these projects to mark women’s history and outstanding achievements as part of our ongoing Decade of Centenaries programme in 2021. Supported by the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media under the Decade of Centenaries 2012-2023 initiative, two trailblazing Wicklow Women take centre stage and we are delighted to work with Herstory to commemorate and celebrate Averil Deverell and Kate Tyrrell in their home county’ said Jenny Sherwin, Arts Officer and Deirdre Burns, Heritage Officer Wicklow County Council
Herstory Light Show, Friday 5th November, 5 – 10pm
On 5th November at 5 pm a spectacular Herstory Light Show by Dodeca will see The Cove in Greystones illuminate with newly commissioned portraits of the local legends by artist Lauren O’ Neill. The heroines will be in lights again at 8.30 pm in Arklow Harbour, where Kate Tyrrell navigated her ship ‘The Denbeighshire Lass’ across the Irish Sea. Throughout the weekend, look out for our especially commissioned portraits of both Averil Deverell and Kate Tyrell on billboards in Arklow and Greystones.
"Women's achievements and struggles have been lost in the shadows for too long, resulting in global inequality and a regression of women's rights. That's why Herstory is harnessing the alchemical power of light, to celebrate women and equality, spotlight inequality, and create visions for a World of Equals," explains Melanie Lynch, Founder of Herstory
Wicklow’s Wonder Women Day Out, Saturday 6th November at 11.30am
On Saturday morning we welcome Dr Sinead McCoole to Arklow Library where she will talk about her research work on the Mná 100 project. She will welcome guest John Mahon, grandson of Kate Tyrrell, who will be in conversation with Sinead about his grandmother, her life and her work.
This is a free event but seating is limited so pre booking is essential. Book your tickets here.
Brehon Law Court workshop, Saturday 6th November, 2.00 - 5.00pm
Averil Deverell was Ireland’s first woman barrister and practiced the law throughout her life. On Saturday 6th November from 2 – 5pm, master storytellers CandleLit Tales will host a Brehon Law Court workshop in the Greystones library. This experiential event will explore contemporary society’s approach to wrongdoing, lawbreaking, and harm to individuals and community. For centuries, Ireland operated without prisons or police, tackling legal issues through the Brehon law – a complex and fascinating legal code that focused on restorative rather than punitive justice. In this workshop, participants will test out the Brehon law by holding their own trial. They will experience the similarities and differences of this approach to our modern legal system, and will have a chance to explore a completely different approach to crime and punishment. They will be guided through some of the principles and processes of Brehon Law and will explore concepts of fair play, justice, and legality through a mock-trial. Participants will experience the concept of restorative justice in the context of a real legal code that held sway on this island for thousands of years.
Tickets to this event are free, but due to limited seating, booking in advance is essential. Book your tickets here.
Breaking Ground - Celebrating Pioneering WIcklow Women Salon, Saturday 6th November at 8.00pm at the Whale Theatre, Greystones
On Saturday 6th November at 8.00pm, the Breaking Ground - Celebrating Pioneering Wicklow Women Salon takes place at the Whale Theatre in Greystones. This collaboration with Herstory will interweave lively conversation with performances by visionary local poets and musicians. Poets Jane Clarke and Nuala Ni Dhomhnaill will read new poems inspired by the Wicklow trailblazers, alongside cellist Lioba Petrie and soprano Catherine Redding.
Hosted by journalist and broadcaster Dearbhail McDonald; speakers include historian and retired judge Liz Goldthorpe; Chair of the Bar Council Maura McNally; and lawyer and chair of AkiDwA Ashimedua Okonkwo. Together they will discuss Averil Deverell’s contribution to the law and share stories from their own career history. Also in conversation about women and our connection to the sea will be renowned Irish surfer, marine social scientist, and artist Dr Easkey Britton and Dr. Karen Weekes who is training to become the first Irish woman to row solo across the Atlantic.
Book your tickets here.
Wicklow’s Wonder Women is a timely tribute to two local heroines and we hope that it inspires the public to become curious, research their own family tree and create future opportunities to celebrate more Mná. Book tickets now.