Celebrating Bealtaine with Susan Quirke / 01.05.22

Herstory and Irish Central invite you to celebrate Bealtaine, the ancient Celtic Festival of summer, in a fascinating online event.

On Sunday, May 1 at 3.30 pm (GMT) join us for this free Bealtaine event with Susan Quirke, visionary meditation teacher, musician and award-winning social entrepreneur.

Susan believes music and meditation are powerful forces for healing and transformation in the world. She has taught hundreds of people throughout Ireland and globally to learn how to meditate, and also offers one-to-one deep dive empowerment sessions.

Join Herstory for this free event celebrating the Celtic festival of Bealtaine on Sunday, May 1, 2022, at 3:30 pm (GMT) on IrishCentral's Facebook page.

Susan is also a multi award-winning social entrepreneur for her work in the field of mental health and wellbeing. Finally, she is a huge music lover, singer, songwriter, and recording artist who released her acclaimed debut album ‘Into the Sea’ in 2021. She has performed at music festivals and for figures such as the Dalai Lama and the President of Ireland.

Andrew Conway, an international Irish rugby player says; “I first met Susan at a group meditation she did for the Irish rugby team. I have since had more than ten one-to-one sessions with her and completed her 3-day 'Learn to Meditate' online course. I am delighted to say she has been a massive reason for the improved quality of both my professional performance, but more importantly my life. She’s been incredibly influential on me, as a player and a person.”

Susan is an advanced certified meditation teacher and she trained with the 1 Giant Mind Academy in New York and in Australia. She has worked alongside international elite athletes, musicians, CEOs, bestselling authors, mothers and fathers, psychotherapists, facilitators, community and business leaders, farmers, poets, surfers, DJs, and people from all throughout Ireland and globally.

Susan is a Herstory Godmother and her wisdom has been instrumental in the movement’s evolution. In this fascinating talk Susan will share her enlightening story and insights for the transformative times we live in. Discover more about Susan and how you can learn to meditate here. 

MOTHER’S DAY WITH AN INSPIRATIONAL MINANGKABAU WOMAN / 27.03.22

MOTHER’S DAY WITH AN INSPIRATIONAL MINANGKABAU WOMAN

Saraz Sapio Credit: Irvan Pratama Putra

Herstory presents a unique free online event for Mother’s Day. If you missed the live event you can watch the video on Herstory’s YouTube channel now.

Join us for a fascinating conversation with Saraz Sapio, an inspirational and independent young woman from the  Minangkabau tribe in Sumatra, Indonesia.

The Minangkabau are the largest matrilineal society in the world with a population of 8 million people. It’s the opposite of the patriarchy, where inheritance is passed from mother to daughter. As Saraz says, she believes Minang women ‘should run the world like Beyoncé.’

Saraz is a successful entrepreneur and fashion designer for kids clothing line @balikind_ . Every week she volunteers with the youth development NGO @stellaschild , teaching English to underprivileged kids in Canggu. She’s been everywhere before deciding to make Bali her home, thriving and enjoying her best life!

Saraz comes from a unique, feminist culture that offers much wisdom and insight to the West. The Minang are matrilineal and Muslim. Saraz says this is contradictory but that’s the beauty of it. She has a beautiful, progressive faith that inspires and empowers her to be kind and realise her potential.

Anthropologist Peggy Reeves Sanday discovered that the Minang society is founded on the coexistence of matrilineal custom and a nature-based philosophy called adat. She says the key to Minangkabau matriarchy is found in the ever-present adat idea expressed in the proverb ‘“growth in nature must be a teacher.” One must nurture growth in humans, animals, and plants so that society will be strong,’ people told her.

Credit: Frank Beyer

The Minang choose to focus on the nurturing elements of nature as opposed to predator vs prey dynamics. ‘While we in the West glorify male dominance and competition, the Minangkabau glorify their mythical Queen Mother and cooperation,’ said Dr. Sanday. In the village social relations women are likened to ‘the center where the fish net meets.’

Credit: Saraz Sapio

She remains optimistic about the strength of the culture and this strength lies in its innate flexibility to adapt to a changing world; “Had the Minangkabau chosen to fight rather than to accommodate the numerous influences that impinged on their world over the centuries, had they chosen to assert cultural purity, no doubt their ‘adat’ would have long ago succumbed. The moral of the Minangkabau story is that accommodating differences can preserve a world.” 

If you missed the event you can watch the video on Herstory’s YouTube channel now:

IWD: Stories of Leadership with Glencree / 14.03.22

Women In Leadership – Webinar

Monday 14th March 2022, 10 – 11.30am

Advance Registration Required

8/3/22: In celebration of International Women’s Day 2022, Glencree Women’s Leadership Programme, in collaboration with Herstory, will share stories of women activists and peacebuilders in leadership roles in a Webinar on Monday 14th March.

Focused on the International Women’s Day theme of ‘Break the Bias’, and continuing the Glencree Women’s Programme ‘Storytelling Series’, speakers at the event will include:

• Saoirse Exton – 16 year old Saoirse is a 5th year student from Limerick. She began her climate activism three years ago and since then her life has become entirely turned upside-down, filled with incredible people and opportunities to change the world. She is Equality Officer of the Irish Second-Level Students’ Union and a member of the C40 Mayors’ and Youth Global Forum among many other things and most recently she attended COP26, the largest and most important climate conference on the planet.

• Rebecca Lively: an Illustration student at the Belfast School of Art, Rebecca creates work about inclusivity, women, femininity and the LGBT community. She began working with Herstory Ireland in 2020, and has been interested in activism through art ever since. Although she is at the start of her career, in the future she aims to create artwork to encourage acceptance and understanding of different identities and backgrounds.

• Joanne Fitzpatrick: as a Core Programming and Curriculum Specialist for PeacePlayers-Northern Ireland, Joanne is responsible for overseeing the delivery of all core programmes for ages 8 to 18 across Northern Ireland, managing all regional events, camps and tournaments and the designing of peace building through sport curricula. She is particularly involved with curricula development for both local and global leadership development programmes. Her primary goal is to provide opportunities and aspirations for young people in disadvantaged and divided societies.

• Yara Alagha: a parliamentary researcher in Seanad Éireann for the Civic Engagement Group, Yara is also a board member for Women for Election Ireland who work to train and support women to succeed in Irish political life, and Amal Women Association, a Muslim, women-led, civil society group. Yara also works closely with Arabic-speaking asylum seekers in Ireland.

This webinar is free to attend. Advance registration is essential.

Register for Webinar

#WomensVoices

About the Glencree Women’s Peacebuilding Programme

This event is an initiative of the Glencree Women’s Leadership Programme. This programme aims to support and empower women on the island of Ireland who have experience of political conflict/violence to become active leaders in the political processes that promote peacebuilding. Central to our work in this area is the Glencree All-Island Women’s Peacebuilding Network for women who have been impacted by political conflict or violence to connect in a safe-space. Our network is open to women across generations, communities, cultures and ethnicities who would like to build relationships and share their experiences in peacebuilding and conflict transformation with other women in this space. Network members can also take part in our events and activities designed to support women in having their voices heard in policy conversations and peacebuilding processes relevant to women.

If you would like to join the Glencree All-Island Women’s Peacebuilding Network, please email Holly on: holly.taylor@glencree.ie

6th Annual Trinity Herstory Salon 03.04.22

DU History x DUGES Present

6th Annual

Herstory Salon

Join us at 6:30 p.m. in the Thomas Davis theatre, Arts Building in Trinity College Dublin on Thursday 3rd March 2022 to hear some fascinating discussions ahead of International Women’s Day.

Organised by DU Gender Equality Trinity and DU History, the speakers this year include:

• Emilie Pine, Irish Author and Professor of Modern Drama at UCD

• Gonchigkhand Byambaa, Social Worker, Writer and Co-Founder of Migrant Women Na hÉireann

• Mobeen Hussain, Early Career Historian of the British Empire focusing on race, gender, and the colonial legacies of consumption, material cultures, and economic exploitation.

• Sinead Ryan, Professor of Theoretical High-Energy Physics at Trinity College Dublin

(Unfortunately, Ailbhe Smyth has had to cancel her appearance)

2022 Herstory Light Show / 31.01.22-01.02.22

HERSTORY SHINES A LIGHT 

ON STUDENT POWER FOR BRIGID’S DAY

#Herstory #StudentVoices #Brigit2022

Brigid’s Fire by Courtney Davis illuminating the GPO for the 2020 International Herstory Light Festival

To celebrate Brigid’s Day 2022, the Herstory Light Show took place on Monday 31st January and Tuesday 1st February, illuminating iconic landmarks in Dublin and Kildare including Trinity College Dublin, The GPO, Kildare Cathedral, Kilkea Castle and more.

This timely event followed Herstory’s successful campaign to make Brigid’s Day Ireland’s new public holiday from 2023, in celebration of our Celtic Goddess, Matron Saint, and Imbolc, the ancient festival of Spring. This is the first public holiday named in honour of a woman and high time as Ireland already has 4 holidays named after men: Jesus, Patrick and Stephen. What a victory for all mná!

Highlights from the Dublin Light Show:

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DUBLIN SHOW: BRIGID’S EVE, 31ST JAN

LIGHT SHOW PROGRAMME

All events are free and open to the public.

5.30  - 8.00pm:  Trinity College Dublin (front square)

8.30 - 10.00pm:  The GPO 

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The light show began in Dublin city on Brigid’s Eve, 31st January. Herstory and the Irish Second-Level Students’ Union presented STUDENT POWER, a spectacular #Herstory Light Show to amplify #StudentVoices and spotlight the causes close to their hearts: climate action, girl’s education, mental health, racism, migrants rights, preserving indigenous cultures and more. Never before in history have young people risen up together on this scale across the world. Power to students as they lead the light!

Highlights from Dublin:

Saoirse Exton by Karl Coleman (NCAD)

Artemisa Xakriaba by NCAD student

St. Brigid was a spirited youth activist, feminist and environmentalist who fearlessly championed the rights of the poor and animals. She inspired the graphic design students from the National College of Art and Design and Colaiste Dhulaigh who created new portraits of 30 young visionary change-makers which were illuminated on iconic landmarks in Dublin city. On Monday 31st January the pop-up light show by Dodeca started at Trinity College Dublin (front square) from 5.30pm – 8pm, followed by The GPO from 8.30 – 10pm. Irish Rail will also showcase the activists’ portraits on the big screens at Connolly, Tara, Pearse and Heuston stations from the 1st – 14th February. All events are part of the Brigit 2022 Festival by Dublin City Council and are free and open to the public. 

The light show began with a one minute silence for Ashling Murphy and all victims of domestic violence. Ashling was a cherished primary school teacher who nurtured her first class students at Durrow National School in Offaly. Only recently she was a student herself and graduated from Limerick's teacher training college Mary Immaculate four months ago. 

Transition by Courtney Davis illuminating St. Brigid’s Cathedral, Kildare

You have heard of the goddess Brigid, but what about Tlachtga, the Morrigan, or Airmid? Ancient Ireland was synonymous with goddess culture. In fact our nation is named after the Goddess Ériu. On Brigid’s Day, 1st February the sails in Smithfield Square illuminated with stunning new art of 13 indigenous Irish goddesses by artist Bernie Sexton from the Goddesses of Ireland book by Dr. Karen Ward, Founder of Moon Mná. The GPO spotlighted TÁIN: The Women’s Stories, a stellar creation by mother and daughter duo Karina and Kathy Tynan who are reclaiming the great Irish epic from the women’s perspective. 

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KILDARE SHOW: BRIGID’S DAY, 1ST FEB

LIGHT SHOW PROGRAMME

All events are free and open to the public.

5.30 - 6.30pm: Kilkea Castle

5.30 - 0.00am:  St. Brigid's Cathedral, Kildare

9.30 - 10.30pm:  Newbridge Town Hall

11.30 - 00.00am: TheWonderful Barn, Leixlip

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Brigid by Courtney Davis illuminating St. Brigid’s Cathedral, Kildare

On Brigid’s Day, 1st February, the Herstory Light Show journeyed to Brigid’s home county Kildare, lighting up the iconic St. Brigid’s Cathedral from 5.30pm - 9.30pm. A pop-up light show toured the county all evening, illuminating more local landmarks with art of Brigid by artists Bernie Sexton, Non Waters, Courtney Davis and Jim Fitzpatrick.

Highlights from Kildare:

Lucina Russell, Kildare Arts Officer says: "For St. Brigid’s Day 2022, and in advance of the 2024 1500th anniversary of the death of St. Brigid; Kildare County Council, with Kildare’s Creative Ireland team and Decade of Commemorations committee, are delighted to collaborate with Herstory to illuminate landmark sites countywide on February 1st, after dark.  This project is centred around St. Brigid's Cathedral,  Kildare Town, which is synonymous with Brigid, as well as The Wonderful Barn in Leixlip and Kilkea Castle. The illuminations, with artistic representations of Brigid, will literally shine a light on the life and legend of this amazing woman.” 

“In addition, we look forward to welcoming Herstory poet in residence Laura Murphy, as she creates a poetic concept film for live performance at St. Brigid’s Cathedral in Kildare on Feile Bhride. The significance of this project is reinforced as the government has committed to a new bank holiday for St. Brigid’s Day in 2023.”

To create a lasting memory of the lightshow, Kildare County Council with Kildare’s Creative Ireland team commissioned Herstory’s Poet in Residence, Laura Murphy to write a tribute poem for Brigid and to produce a concept film to showcase the event. 

Crowds who had gathered to soak in the magic were captivated by Murphy’s performances of the poem ‘Is Mise Bríd’.

You can view the video here:

Goddess Brigid by Non Waters

“It's been over 1500 years since Saint Brigid walked these lands and longer still since the time of Goddess Brigid, yet She has much to offer us today. A guiding light for some of Ireland’s greatest humanitarians and revolutionaries including Grace O’ Malley and Maud Gonne, Brigid has been a source of inspiration in my own life too,” says Laura Murphy, Herstory’s Poet in Residence.

“A RTÉ Nationwide programme on St. Brigid will air on January 28th, 2022.  Meanwhile Into Kildare are distributing 5,000 candles through the library network to commemorate Feile Bhride.  They are also lighting the tower on the Hill of Allen.”

“Herstory is thrilled to co-create this spectacular light show with Kildare County Council. My mother and grandmother hail from Athy so my heart is always drawn to Kildare and the wonders of Brigid,” says Herstory CEO & Creative Director Melanie Lynch. “I’m particularly inspired by the fact that she was an abbess who co-founded a double monastery where men and women practiced their faith equally. 1500 years later and modern Ireland is still catching up with St. Brigid. What an icon for our times!”

Students share some insights from their experience of co-creating the STUDENT POWER PROJECT:

Mary Kane by Rukmini Kelkar (Colaiste Dhulaigh)

“It has been brilliant to learn about so many amazing women and especially since many of them are our age; say students from Colaiste Dhulaigh. “It really sparked my interest. I love that there are so many young women with powerful messages that are being listened to and making a difference in the world. I also didn't realise that, for example Mary Robinson was quite the revolutionary when she was in college. It's brilliant to think she became the President of Ireland. Maybe there's a future President in our class or amongst this group of young activists.” 

Saoirse Exton, ISSU Equality Officer says; “Student voice is the key to creating a better world for all, and pulling down outdated systems that threaten our very existence on this planet. Young people are the leaders, educators, lawyers, factory-workers, programmers, artists, legislators and so many other things, of the future and by right of our existence we must voice our concerns and the specific issues that affect us. By celebrating those that came before and continue to work towards dismantling the system and creating a better world, we are creating spaces for the activists of tomorrow and inviting more young people to join every fight - from climate to reproductive justice.”

Goddesses of Ireland: Nollaig na mBan / 6.01.22

Tlachtga by artist Bernie Sexton

Herstory, Moon Mná, and IrishCentral present a Ceiliúradh event on Nollaig na mBan 2022 celebrating the goddesses of Ireland and the ancient wisdom of modern Irish women.

We invite you to join us live via Zoom on Nollaig na mBan, Thursday 6th January 2022, at 8.00pm GMT (3.00pm EST) for a heartwarming celebration with storytelling, poetry, music and dance to revive this ancient tradition with our global gathering of womenfolk.

You will have the opportunity to experience short Immrama (Irish Gaelic for ‘Wonder Voyages’) with Goddesses Brigid, Tlachtga, the Morrigan, the Cailleach, Ériu, Síle Na Gig and Airmid during this wonderful communal event. Dressing up in your glad rags while sipping a cocktail or cocoa is optional!

This event is now available to view:

This celebration is based on the recent book "Goddesses of Ireland: ancient wisdom for modern women" where contemporary Irish women share their personal accounts of how these Goddesses resonate with them, informing and influencing their lives. Uniquely Irish, this exquisitely crafted full-color book highlights how these female Irish deities and their wisdom, echoing down the ages, can inspire, encourage and guide us today.

The pre-Celtic and Celtic Goddesses are archetypes of energy that speak to women of how they may live - a guiding light in the midst of our busy world. Many were seen as having a deep association with the identity of the land and were often viewed as its living embodiment. A key attribute was that of sovereignty – personal power and autonomy. We know of their traits through their myths and legends chronicled in ancient texts. They include Boann, Gráinne, Aisling, Danu, Macha and Áine and there is a beautiful simple self-ceremony to help readers connect with their archetypal energies at the end of each section.

Created by Dr. Karen Ward, founder of Moon Mná Women’s Celtic Circles and co-director of Slí An Chroí Irish Celtic Shamanism and renowned Designer and Publisher Bernie Sexton, the Goddesses of Ireland book offers women the precious gift of time to reflect and ponder. Buy your copy.