Announcement of the Spirit of Mother Jones Award for 2025.

Posted on July 23, 2025 by Admin

22^nd July 2025

The Cork Mother Jones Committee is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2025 Spirit of Mother Jones Award.

It has been awarded to Arthur Leahy.

Arthur Leahy speaking at a meeting in the Quay Co-op. Photo: J Barimo.

The award will be presented to Mr. Leahy by James Nolan, Chairperson of the Cork Mother Jones Committee at the Maldron Hotel, Shandon on Thursday afternoon 24^th July 2025 at 1.00 pm after the Official Opening of the 2025 Spirit of Mother Jones Festival and Summer School by the Lord Mayor of Cork Cllr. Fergal Dennehy. All are welcome to attend.

James Nolan spokesperson for the Cork Mother Jones Committee stated:

“The Cork Mother Jones Committee is pleased to present the 2025 Spirit of Mother Jones Award to Arthur Leahy.

Arthur has been active in this city for almost 50 years in a practical way as an advocate of social justice, of inclusiveness and fairness in society. He has devoted considerable effort to the promotion of gay rights and was involved in the organising of the first Irish National Gay Conference in Cork as far ago as 1980.

Arthur played an important role in supporting those impacted by the HIV/Aids epidemic in the 80s and was directly involved in numerous roles in establishing the Quay Co-op and The Other Place LGBT Community Centre in Cork. These provided vital support bases for progressive activists to meet and organise to fight the social and equality campaigns of the 80s/90s and up to the present day.

He has provided inspirational leadership in many campaigns and leads by practical example”

Award citation from the Cork Mother Jones Committee.

The Cork Mother Jones Committee presents the 2025 Spirit of Mother Jones Award to Arthur Leahy:

For his active role in establishing the gay rights movement in Cork and for his practical efforts to help and assist those in the gay community who were impacted by the HIV/Aids epidemic in the 1980s.
For his initiative when along with others he helped to establish the Quay Co-op on Sullivans Quay in the early 80s which created a safe haven and base for many campaign groups and from which many of those who have been in the forefront of activism on women’s rights, gay rights and environmental campaigns emerged over the past five decades.
For his personal activism and leadership on many issues such as the anti-amendment campaigns, the divorce and same sex marriage referenda which have contributed to the bringing about a wide range of positive inclusive social change in Ireland
For his active work over several decades on behalf of the people of Palestine and his practical support for the Cork Palestinian Solidarity Campaign which has seen many thousands gather each weekend on the Grand Parade in Cork City to bear witness to the genocide being inflicted on the citizens of Gaza and the West Bank. He has worked to identify Israeli products available in Ireland and has supported the Boycott, Disinvestment, and Sanctions (BDS) which aims to get Israel to comply with international law and rights for Palestinians.
As an advocate for social justice, he has, by his quiet practical efforts to foster a cooperative spirit among people working in progressive campaigns, succeeded in creating a more tolerant and fairer society and establishing a community approach which is sustainable and environmentally sound. In this way he is guiding the next generation of social activists to continue this vital work to make Cork and Ireland a better place for all.

The Presentation of the Spirit of Mother Jones Award took place before a packed audience on Thursday 24th July 2025.

James Nolan presents the award to Arthur Leahy.

Spirit of Mother Jones award for 2024 for the People of Palestine.

Posted on July 22, 2024 by Admin

The Cork Mother Jones Committee wishes to announce that the recipients of the 2024 Spirit of Mother Jones Award are the People of Palestine.

The award will be presented to Ms Zeina Alazzeh of the Embassy of the State of Palestine at the Dance Cork Firkin Crane on Friday evening 26^th July after the “Stories of Palestine” meeting which commences at 7pm.

Ms Alazzeh, the research and policy officer at the Palestinian Embassy, has been nominated by the Ambassador of Palestine to Ireland Dr Jilan Wahba Abdalmajid to accept this award which honours the People of Palestine.

James Nolan spokesperson for the Cork Mother Jones Committee stated

“The Cork Mother Jones Committee is pleased to present the 2024 Spirit of Mother Jones Award to the People of Palestine. We remain honoured by the decision of Ambassador Dr Jilan Wahba Abdalmajid to accept this award on behalf of the State of Palestine.

Although in practical terms an award such as this remains almost a trivial offering, we believe it represents a symbolic and heartfelt gesture of support by many Cork people to an entire population facing genocide.

in that we are recording the fact that human beings everywhere should bear witness to the sufferings of Palestinians. Along with the many thousands of people who have marched through Cork City each week and across Ireland since October 2023, we wish to also express our support for the People of Palestine by conferring on them the Spirit of Mother Jones Award.”

Accepting the Spirit of Mother Jones Award, the Palestinian Ambassador to Ireland, Dr Jilan Wahba Abdalmajid, wrote in her letter to the Cork Mother Jones Committee dated 11^th July;

“I am so pleased to accept this award which honours the People of Palestine. During this difficult time and while our people in Palestine are experiencing the highest form of misery and catastrophe, we find a glimmer of hope through the Irish people’s support and solidarity. It is heart-warming that there are still nations that stand up for basic human rights, but sadly this is not the case everywhere.

Mary Harris was a brave mother like thousands of Palestinian mothers who lost their children. It is the loss of a mother’s child, and how she could hold back her grief and despair to create a better life. Her commitment to standing up against injustice holds great values that are reflected in this award and we are honoured to be credited with it”

The Palestinian Ambassador to Ireland, Dr Jilan Wahba Abdalmajid

Award citation from the Cork Mother Jones Committee.

The Cork Mother Jones Committee presents the 2024 Spirit of Mother Jones Award to the People of Palestine:

For their tenacity in surviving the oppression, colonisation and ongoing nightmare of living in an open air prison for the two million people in GAZA since the Israeli blockade began in 2007.
For their resilience to achieve self-determination in an independent State of Palestine and for their efforts to achieve freedom to live as normal human beings
For their determination to highlight the genocide and opposition to plans to ethnically cleanse Palestinians from Gaza
For their strength and courage to expose the humiliation being imposed and for calling world attention to prevent the collective punishment being inflicted on the entire population.
For also exposing the attempts at dehumanisation and the starvation of Gaza by the Israeli government.
For their ongoing efforts to draw attention to the failure of large sections of the International community to prevent or condemn this daily massacre taking place in Gaza which has been condemned by the United Nations International Court of Justice.

Previous recipients of the Spirit of Mother Jones Award have included Antoinette Keegan, Mary Manning, Louise O’Keeffe, Fr Peter McVerry, Don O’Leary, Mick Lynch, Gareth Peirce, Ann O’Gorman, Maureen Considine and Catherine Coffey O’Brien, Ken Fleming, Dave Hopper and Margaret Aspinall.

Mick Lynch Receives the 2023 Spirit of Mother Jones Award.

Posted on July 28, 2023 by Admin

The 2023 Spirit of Mother Jones Award was presented yesterday to Mick Lynch by James Nolan at the Spirit of Mother Jones Festival in Shandon in front of a capacity at the Dance Cork Firkin Crane.

Mick Lynch at the Butter Market in Shandon with the Spirit of Mother Jones Award.

Jim Nolan presenting the award to Mick Lynch.

Mick Lynch with the Cork Mother Jones Committee.

They Never Came Home!

Posted on July 12, 2022 by Admin

Antoinette Keegan will be formally presented by the Cork Mother Jones Committee with the 2020 Spirit of Mother Jones Award on Friday 29th July at 3pm at the Dance Cork Firkin Crane theatre.

Antoinette and her late parents Christine and John along with other families and survivors have campaigned for justice and answers as to why 48 young people including Antoinette’s sisters Mary (19) and Martina (16),lost their lives at the Stardust Fire in the northside of Dublin on Valentine’s Day 14th February 1981. Over 200 people were treated in hospital for injuries sustained in the fire.

Christine and Antoinette Keegan (Sam Boal)

In spite of her own injuries, the loss of two of her sisters and the failure of the State Authorities to provide answers, Antoinette has campaigned to uncover the full truth of the events of that night. What caused this fire and who was responsible?

Her resilience and commitment to pursuing justice for the 48 children who never came home to their families remains an inspiration to many people.

In 2019, the Attorney General approved the holding of new inquests to establish the full facts. After 41 years of the campaign for justice, the inquests should finally begin this year.

We wish to express our thanks to Antoinette and members of her family for coming to Cork and speaking about the long standing efforts of the survivors to seek the facts.

All are welcome to the presentation and discussion.

2016 Spirit of Mother Jones Award awarded to the late Dave Hopper

Posted on July 30, 2016 by Admin

Pat Egan, Dave Hopper, Durham, miners, Mother Jones, Cork — Pat Egan from Unite, the Union, Scotland accepts the Spirit of Mother Jones Award 2016 on behalf of the late Dave Hopper and the Durham Miner’s Association. Pat will be forwarding the “Children of Lír” inspired award to the association.

The Cork Mother Jones Committee has announced that the late Dave Hopper and the Durham Miners’ Association are the recipients of the 2016 Spirit of Mother Jones Award.

Mr Hopper was General Secretary of the Durham Miners Association. Tragically, Dave, who was due to arrive in Cork to introduce a film on Orgreave at the 2016 Spirit of Mother Jones Festival passed away on Saturday 16^th July last and his funeral was held yesterday (Friday).

The Cork Mother Jones Committee have extended our sympathy and solidarity to his family and friends everywhere.

“Dave Hopper attended the past two Mother Jones festivals in Cork and was looking forward to coming again this year. He was a legend in the trade union movement and was instrumental in organising the largest union gathering in Europe at what is known as the Durham Miners’ Gala this year. It was held on Saturday July 9^th and was attended by over 150,000 people, making it one of the largest crowds to attend there in living memory.”
“Mr Hopper loved coming to Shandon, he loved the people of Shandon and made a great contribution to the festivals. In 2015 he delivered (along with Kaiulani Lee) the annual Cork Mother Jones Lecture. He will be sadly missed by the many friends he made in Shandon and is a huge loss to the labour movement. We intend to honour his memory at this year’s festival by an appropriate tribute and we know the Durham Miners Association will carry on his work”
Jim Nolan of the Cork Mother Jones Committee:

In his recent message at the 2016 Durham Gala, Dave Hopper in his honest and forthright manner stated:

“Britain has voted to leave the European Union and we face uncertain times. After much soul-searching I had decided to vote to remain as I thought that the rights of working people would be better safeguarded within the EU. However, of one thing we can be sure whether in or out the powers that be will try to make the working class pay for the continuing economic crisis.”
Dave Hopper

Dave Hopper, a fourth generation miner, had been the General Secretary of the Durham Miners’ Association since 1985. In spite of the closure of the pits and collieries, not alone had he continued to fight for justice for miners and continued to seek compensation benefits for work related sickness and injuries endured by his colleagues but had led the transformation of the Durham Miners’ Association into a community based organisation. This Association had the organisational resources to showcase working people’s solidarity through the growth of the inspirational Durham Miners’ Gala each July.

the late Dave Hopper — Dave Hopper at Durham Miners’ Gala on 9th July 2016 – with Jeremy Corbyn MP (Photo via Richard Burgon MP’s Facebook page)

Dave Hopper and the Durham Miners’ Association are worthy recipients of the 2016 Award. The award has been made each year to those who we feel act in the Spirit of Mother Jones and we are satisfied that our selection for 2016 is very true to this spirit.

The Cork Spirit of Mother Jones Award recipients to date have been,

2013, Margaret Aspinall and Sue Roberts. (Hillsborough Family Support Group,)

2014 Gareth Peirce, solicitor.

2015 Fr. Peter McVerry.

Liverpool Echo highlights Margaret Aspinall Award

Posted on July 1, 2013 by Admin

The Liverpool Echo, Merseyside’s biggest selling daily newspaper, last Saturday (June 29th) featured the decision of the Mother Jones committee to award The Spirit of Mother Jones Award to Margaret Aspinall, Chairperson of the Hillsborough Family Support Group. The Echo, which has an average daily circulation of over 85,000 copies, has been in production since 1879. The Hillsborough Disaster led to the only ever Sunday edition of the newspaper in its history when on 16th April 1989 it produced a special issue to bring news of the disaster to the grief-stricken city and surrounding areas. You can read the article on the Cork Mother Jones’ festival award here:-

http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/cork-gives-city-award-hillsborough-4750513

The Spirit of Mother Jones Festival

Shandon, Cork City, Ireland

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