Cllr Dan Boyle, Lord Mayor of Cork launched the 13th Spirit of Mother Jones Festival recently at the Maldron Hotel Shandon. The Lord Mayor recalled that while Mary Harris (Mother Jones) was born in Cork, but left to go to Chicago, he was born in Chicago and departed to come to live in Cork. Cllr. Boyle drew attention to the huge esteem in which Mother Jones is now held in Cork and commented about the forthcoming 100th anniversary of her death in 1930 and the 200th anniversary of her birth in 1837 and the possibility of Cork City commemorating these events.
This has been echoed by the recent calls from the Cork Mother Jones Committee for the Rebel City of her birth to recognise this inspirational woman by the construction of a significant statue in her honour and the naming of an appropriate place name in her memory.
After the formal Launch of the 2024 Festival the magnificent Kalyna Ukrainian Community Choir opened their performance with a beautiful version of “You Raised Me Up” and concluded with a stirring Amhrán Na bhFiann (Irish National Anthem).
It was a memorable occasion. Cork’s own Mother Jones, Joan Goggin welcomed the Lord Mayor with a song, which was followed by local singer, Dave McGrath. Well known musician and signer, John Nyhan gave an emotional tribute to his friend and mentor Mick Treacy who often sang with him at the Festival, but has passed away recently.
The glamour of the Cobh Animation Group further enhanced the occasion by their presence.
Everyone is now looking forward to the three day festival and summer school which commences on Thursday 25th July next at 10.30 am. The full programme is available here to download on the site. Hard copies of the festival programme are available at the Cork City and County public libraries, some post office and credit unions as well as in many shops around Cork City. We hope that the Festival has something of interest for many people as it has become one of the great Cork community Meitheal gatherings to celebrate the life of local girl, Mary Harris.
