The Cork Mother Jones Committee is very sad to learn of the passing of Joan Goggin. Joan has attended all our festivals since 2012 in the persona and costume of Mother Jones. In that time, she endeared herself to the thousands of people, who have visited the Festival, and became a treasured part of the annual event.
“Joan has made a huge contribution to the Spirit of Mother Jones festivals and we are all saddened by her death. On behalf of everyone associated with this festival we wish to pass on our sympathy to her daughter Eadaoin and granddaughter Aoife who often accompanied Joan and to all her family. Her kindness and positive spirit will be sadly missed by all”
stated Festival spokesperson James Nolan.
Joan was an accomplished actor and singer and always stood up for social justice and the Labour movement. Her father Bill Martin was a branch secretary of the Transport union and she was extremely proud that Jim Larkin would often visit and stay in their house during his trips to Cork.
Joan in full Mother Jones outfit often joined in with pickets by nurses and other workers in Cork. Her hero was Cork born Mary Harris, whose activities on behalf of miners and workers in America led to her being renamed Mother Jones.
May Joan rest in peace! We will miss you dear friend.
‘Ní bheidh a leithéid arís ann’
Watch Joan above as she portrays Mother Jones visiting Cork in 1920.