The Cork Mother Jones Commemorative committee has announced the preliminary programme of events for the Fesitval which will be held in the Shandon area on the Northside of Cork City, Ireland from 31st July to 2nd August 2012.

The Festival opens on Tuesday, 31st July with the Irish premiere of Mother Jones, America’s Most Dangerous Woman with the film’s director / producer Rosemary Feuer present to discuss the film and its subject. This will be followed by an evening of music and song at the Maldron Hotel with the Cork Singers’ Club.

Day two, entitled “The Main Event”, opens with a commemorative Mass at Cork’s North Cathedral where Mary Harris was baptised exactly 175 years earlier to the day on 1st August 1837.   This will be followed by a tour of the area for our guests and the official opening of the Mother Jones Exhibition and a concert at the Firkin Crane centre, part of Cork’s historic butter market.  In the afternoon there will be a lecture and discussion with Prof. Elliot Gorn, biographer of Mother Jones; and Marat Moore, former miner, writer and US labour activist.    Wednesday evening’s events will be opened with the ringing out of the world famous Shandon Bells over Cork City at exactly 18.37 hrs to mark the 175th anniversary of Mother Jones’ birth.  This will be followed by a recital from the local Butter Exchange Brass band and the official unveiling of the Mother Jones plaque, beautifully sculpted by artist Mick Wilkins, at John Redmond Street, Shandon.

The night will be completed with the “Freedom Bells” concert at St. Ann’s Church of Ireland Shandon with the renowned singer / songwriter Andy Irvine who has recorded a song dedicated to Mother Jones   There will also be an event entitled Mother Jones – music, song and dance at the Maldron Hotel, featuring Hank Wedel, Two Time Polka and a host of musicians, singers and dancers.

The event will end with a day long tour for the guests, taking in Shandon, Cobh and Inchigeelagh, all places which were associated with Mother Jones.

You can download the preliminary programme Mother Jones Programme.   The final programme will be published in early June.