Thank You!

“The 2013 Spirit of Mother Jones Festival was a magnificent achievement”

Lord Mayor Catherine Clancy (centre) with Richard T. Cooke and local women at the Maldron.

The 2013 Spirit of Mother Jones festival has concluded after three days of talks, lectures, films, music, singing and exhibitions which took place in and around Shandon, the historic heart of Cork City. A sell-out concert by Ireland’s most respected folk singer, Andy Irvine at the Firkin Crane Centre brought the curtain down on the 2013 event.

Festival spokesperson, Jim Nolan commented,

“It was a magnificent achievement by the Cork Mother Jones Committee and the Shandon Street festival along with the cooperation of the local community. We had huge crowds at the lectures and meetings, the speakers were outstanding and the music was world class”

“We believe Mother Jones herself would have been extremely proud of the local community for the honour paid to her.”

Margaret Aspinall of the Hillsborough Family Support group delivered an unforgettable, inspiring and very moving lecture on the effects of the Hillsborough disaster on the families, survivors and the people of Liverpool.

She was a very worthy recipient of the 2013 Spirit of Mother Jones Award.

Professor Simon Cordery of Western Illinois University supplied a memorable and thoughful 2013 Mother Jones Lecture at the Firkin Crane.

Padraig Yeates gave a detailed account of the Dublin Lockout followed by a wide ranging debate. Other speakers and film makers made a huge contribution to the Shandon Summer School series of events.

The cream of Cork musicians from Jimmy Crowley, Ray Barron and Two Time Polka, Hank Wedel, William Hammond participated along with a stirring concert from Richard T Cooke which included James P McCarthy, The Cork Rokk Choir and many others.

“We were impressed to see the crowds of people in the Shandon area over the three days in spite of inclement weather” declared Jim Nolan,

He continued

“It demonstrates again the ability of our community to hold an international event and hopefully it will be the first of many. We are deeply appreciative of our sponsors in the SIPTU 1913 Committee, the unions in Cork and the Gathering, and of course the magnificent local Shandon community.”

Richard T. Cooke with local women in period dress at the Maldron Hotel, Shandon.

Cllr. Catherine Clancy opening the Mother Jones exhibition and festival at the Maldron Hotel with Michael Lally of the Maldron and Mother Jones festival committee

Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr. Catherine Clancy with Richard T. Cooke of the Cork Mother Jones committee

Margaret Aspinall and Sue Rogers of the Hillsborough Family Support Group with members of the Mother Jones committee unite for a rendition of “You’ll Never Walk Alone” at the Firkin Crane with musicians Jim Williamson and Stephen Power.

After a most successful opening night with Margaret Aspinall of the

Margaret Aspinall (right) and Sue Rogers with a local Liverpool fan at Cork’s Firkin Crane theatre.

Jimmy Crowley (left) with Richard T. Cooke and Ailbhe O’Mahony of the Cork Mother Jones Festival committee

Big Jim Larkin (Jer O’Leary) with SIPTU General Secretary Joe O’Flynn and Ger O’Mahony of the Cork Mother Jones festival committee