27th November 2020 The President of Ireland, Michael D Higgins in a recent letter to the Cork Mother Jones Committee sends his best wishes to all involved in organising the 2020 Spirit of Mother Jones Festival. He praises Mother Jones as a catalyst for change and an emancipatory figure to whom we all owe a … Continue reading Message by President of Ireland: Michael D. Higgins to the ‘Spirit of Mother Jones Festival 2020’
The Spirit of Mother Jones Festival 2020
The full Spirit of Mother Jones Festival 2020 programme from Friday 27th November 2020 to Monday 30th November 2020 is now available. All events are free to view on Cork Community TV and everybody is welcome over the course of the weekend. We hope that you enjoy the 2020 programme. Friday 27th November 3:00 p.m. … Continue reading The Spirit of Mother Jones Festival 2020
The Dynamic Role of Labour Unions in the Wake of Covid-19 and the Safe Keeping of Frontline Workers
Spirit of Mother Jones Festival in partnership with University College Cork Civic & Community Engagement 27 November 2020, 3.00 – 4.00 pm (Irish GMT) We are at critical juncture for trade unions and worker’s rights during this period of economic stress, joblessness, and wealth concentration. Education and healthcare professions are among those front-line workers who now … Continue reading The Dynamic Role of Labour Unions in the Wake of Covid-19 and the Safe Keeping of Frontline Workers
Antoinette Keegan is the Spirit of Mother Jones Award recipient for 2020.
The late Christine Keegan and her daughter Antoinette. Photo courtesy of Sam Boal The Cork Mother Jones Committee is proud to announce that the 2020 Spirit of Mother Jones Award will be presented to Antoinette Keegan of the Stardust Victims Committee. Antoinette and her mother Christine Keegan were due to speak in Cork at this … Continue reading Antoinette Keegan is the Spirit of Mother Jones Award recipient for 2020.
From Ahawadda to Dáil Éireann… The Amazing Story of Labour Organiser, Sean Dunne.
The Revolutionary period and the subsequent creation of the Irish Free State and later the Republic has given rise to some amazing family stories. Very few can surpass the story of Sean Dunne, a Trade Union organiser, mentored by Jim Larkin and later Labour Party TD. Filmed in West Cork, this discussion with local historian … Continue reading From Ahawadda to Dáil Éireann… The Amazing Story of Labour Organiser, Sean Dunne.
And the World Turns Away!
Peadar King is a journalist and documentary film maker and is well known as the producer of the documentary series for RTE "What in the World". His latest book published recently by Liffey Press, War, Suffering and the Struggle for Human Rights is a powerful indictment of war and chronicles human rights abuses in times … Continue reading And the World Turns Away!
What Did the Women Do Anyway?
This was a dismissive comment originally made to a founder of Cumann na mBan In Cork, Lil Conlon. Years later, the comment also annoyed members of the Shandon Area History Group. The result was Ordinary Women in Extraordinary Times published in 2019 by the Shandon Area History Group. This ground breaking publication reveals some of the hidden pages … Continue reading What Did the Women Do Anyway?
Just Imagine if Mother Jones Returned to Shandon
The Cork Mother Jones Committee will show a short film of Mother Jones visiting Cork 100 years ago in December 1920 at the Spirit of Mother Jones Virtual festival (Friday Nov 27thto Monday Nov 30th). There is no evidence that Mary Harris/Mother Jones ever did return to Cork city where she was born in 1837 … Continue reading Just Imagine if Mother Jones Returned to Shandon
“Anne & Betty United by the Struggle”, with Ian Clayton. Published by Route.
This publication is a rarity. Working-class women who fight for social justice seldom get an opportunity to tell their own story in their own voices. Social, trade union and labour history is sometimes interpreted by those far removed from the day-to-day lives and experience of those directly involved. The contributions of working class women remains unacknowledged … Continue reading “Anne & Betty United by the Struggle”, with Ian Clayton. Published by Route.
John Jefferies RIP.
It is with great sadness that we announce the death of John Jefferies, a founding member of the Cork Mother Jones Committee. John passed away at his residence in Cobh on February 10th 2020. John was a member of our committee since 2011 and managed the Spirit of Mother Jones Festival website and Facebook pages. … Continue reading John Jefferies RIP.
