The Cork Mother Jones Committee are honoured to announce a keynote presentation by His Excellency Bernardo Guanche Hernández, the Cuban Ambassador to Ireland. This special event will offer attendees a detailed insight into the social fabric, cultural wealth, and contemporary realities of daily life across the island of Cuba during this difficult period.

Moving beyond standard media representations, the Ambassador will discuss how local communities navigate daily challenges, maintain social cohesion, and sustain highly regarded public healthcare and education systems. The talk will address these achievements alongside the ongoing economic hardships intensified by the long-standing international trade blockade. This exploration of collective resilience, national sovereignty, and social equity mirrors the core values of international labour solidarity championed by Mary Harris “Mother Jones” herself.

Ambassador Guanche Hernández is a highly experienced diplomat who has officially represented Cuba in Dublin since early 2022. Throughout his tenure, he has traveled extensively to engage with civic organisations across Ireland, establishing strong connections with community groups and has engaged with the Global Solidarity Committee of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions. His work focuses on strengthening cultural links between the two islands and fostering a deeper public understanding of how geopolitical pressures affect ordinary citizens.

This keynote presentation will take place at The Maldron Hotel, Shandon, Cork, on Friday, 24th July 2026, commencing at 11:30 am. Admission to the session is entirely free of charge, first come, first seated. A warm welcome is extended to all members of the public, and there will be an opportunity for questions and discussion following the address.