Cobh Animation Group | The Spirit of Mother Jones Festival

In what must rank as one of the most exciting exhibitions of dancing and singing ever seen at the festival, Kalyna Choir and the Mexican Community dancers combined to produce a riot of colour, sound and joy to celebrate the official Launch of the 2025 Spirit of Mother Jones Festival at the Maldron Hotel Shandon.

Earlier the Lord Mayor of Cork Cllr. Fergus Dennehy presided at the formal launch of the fourteenth festival.

After being escorted to the stage by his neighbour Joan Goggin as Mother Jones, the Lord Mayor described the forthcoming festival as a “festival of courage” and ‘while Mother Jones was a powerful voice for justice and workers solidarity, the fight for justice goes on and the forthcoming international festival helps to highlight the spirit of Cork born Mother Jones who fought all her life for social justice. He added that we are not just commemorating history, but we want to rekindle the flame of activism that Mother Jones lit over a century ago. Its the flame that still burns in every worker who looks for fair wages and in every child who dreams of a future which is free from exploitation.”

Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr Fergal Dennehy with Lady Mayoress, Karen Brennan and members of the Cork Mother Jones Committee.

Ann Piggott presents a photograph of Mother Jones to Lord Mayor Fergal Dennehy, and Lady Mayoress, Karen Brennan.

Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr. Fergal Dennehy and his guitar.

Cork Mother Jones Committee member Ann Piggott in introducing the Lord Mayor referred to the loss of committee member Richard T Cooke, who had introduced previous Lord Mayors. She praised all his community work and his work to promote the spirit of Mother Jones across Cork city. A minute’s silence was held in Richards’ honour.

Ann also mentioned the late Joe Sheehan whose anniversary is today and John Jefferies who had also contributed so much to various festivals.

The Lord Mayor described Richard T Cooke as “a man of remarkable talent who brought people together and his legacy will live on in the communities across Cork which benefited from his great work and talents.”

The Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress with the ladies of the Cobh Animation Team. Photo courtesy of Claire Stack.

Choir Kalyna in their native costumes then sang a number of Ukrainian songs especially poignant as their country was under serious bombing attack overnight. The Mexican Community Choir in their native clothes and wide sombreros added to the occasion. The ladies from Cobh Animation further adorned the occasion.

Joan Goggin then sang, “The Half Door”, John Nyhan added “This Land is Your Land” while the Lord Mayor with guitar in hand rounded off a spectacular launch to what promises to be a very interesting 2025 festival with “Folsom Prison Blues” and Cork’s own Jimmy McCarthy’s “Ride On’. Our thanks to the staff and management of the Maldron Hotel and to all who contributed to what was an inspiring occasion.

The Lord Mayor, Cllr Fergal Dennehy sings Folsom Prison Blues.

Cllr Dan Boyle, Lord Mayor of Cork launched the 13th Spirit of Mother Jones Festival recently at the Maldron Hotel Shandon. The Lord Mayor recalled that while Mary Harris (Mother Jones) was born in Cork, but left to go to Chicago, he was born in Chicago and departed to come to live in Cork. Cllr. Boyle drew attention to the huge esteem in which Mother Jones is now held in Cork and commented about the forthcoming 100th anniversary of her death in 1930 and the 200th anniversary of her birth in 1837 and the possibility of Cork City commemorating these events.

The Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr. Dan Boyle receives a portrait of Mother Jones from Ann Piggott on behalf of the Cork Mother Jones Committee.

This has been echoed by the recent calls from the Cork Mother Jones Committee for the Rebel City of her birth to recognise this inspirational woman by the construction of a significant statue in her honour and the naming of an appropriate place name in her memory.

After the formal Launch of the 2024 Festival the magnificent Kalyna Ukrainian Community Choir opened their performance with a beautiful version of “You Raised Me Up” and concluded with a stirring Amhrán Na bhFiann (Irish National Anthem).

Kalyna Ukrainian Community Choir singing Amhrán Na bhFiann

Svitlava Deikun & Victoria Tymoshehuk with Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr. Dan Boyle

It was a memorable occasion. Cork’s own Mother Jones, Joan Goggin welcomed the Lord Mayor with a song, which was followed by local singer, Dave McGrath. Well known musician and signer, John Nyhan gave an emotional tribute to his friend and mentor Mick Treacy who often sang with him at the Festival, but has passed away recently.

The glamour of the Cobh Animation Group further enhanced the occasion by their presence.

Master of Ceremonies, Richard T. Cooke with Cork Mother Jones, Joan Goggin.

Members of the Cobh Animation Group with the Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr. Dan Boyle.

John Nyhan paying a tribute to his friend, the late Mick Treacy watched by the Lord Mayor of Cork and piper, Norman O’Rourke..

Everyone is now looking forward to the three day festival and summer school which commences on Thursday 25th July next at 10.30 am. The full programme is available here to download on the site. Hard copies of the festival programme are available at the Cork City and County public libraries, some post office and credit unions as well as in many shops around Cork City. We hope that the Festival has something of interest for many people as it has become one of the great Cork community Meitheal gatherings to celebrate the life of local girl, Mary Harris.