All Events at the Spirit of Mother Jones Festival and Summer School on Thursday 23rd July 2026 are at the Maldron Hotel, Shandon, except where stated.

11:00 a.m. Frameworks Films Mother Jones and Her Children…. the Documentary

12:00 noon. Dr. Edward Lahiff discusses the book by Elliott Gorn, Mother Jones: The Most Dangerous Woman in America.

1:15 p.m. Official opening by the Lord Mayor of Cork Performance by KALYNA Ukrainian Community Choir. Cobh Animation Group will attend.

2:30 p.m. Phil Ni Sheaghdha, President of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions. “Democratic Trade Unions matter because they Strengthen Democracy”
Followed by Presentation of the Spirit of Mother Jones Award 2026.

4:00 p.m. Sara Nelson, International President of the Association of Flight Attendants CWA, AFL-CIO. ZOOM fraternal greetings to the festival from one of America’s most important Trade Union leaders.

5:00 p.m. Des Geraghty, Former President of SIPTU and MEP. Author, musician, singer and social justice campaigner. “An Injury to One is the Concern of All”

7:30 p.m. Anne Twomey. “The Remarkable Cummins Sisters from Cork at the Dance Cork Firkin Crane

9:30 p.m. Cork Singers Club.