Tag Archives: plaque

Mother Jones plaque unveiled

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The City of Cork, Ireland has finally given recognition to its rebel daughter Mother Jones (Mary Harris Jones) with the unveiling of a plaque on the 175th anniversary of her birth / baptism in the historic Shandon area of the city.

The event was the highlight of a three day festival commemorating the Cork woman, once dubbed “the most dangerous woman in America” because of her activities on behalf of workers and the poor and her role in exposing the evils of child labour in the United States and having it declared illegal.

The plaque was unveiled jointly by committee members Councillor Ted Tynan and Jim Nolan on behalf of the committee and in addition to the large attendance were a number of people associated with the histocial and social legacy in the United States.

Mother Jones plaque unveiling in Cork

Mother Jones plaque unveiled in Cork’s historic Shandon area

Rosemary Feurer at Cork Mother Jones plaque unveiling

Prof. Rosemary Feurer, US labor activist,  writer / director and maker of the documentary film “Mother Jones, the Most Dangerous Woman in America”, addresses the crowd after the unveiling of the plaque to Mother Jones. Also in photo (L-R) are committee members Jim Fitzpatrick, Michael Lally (Manager of Maldron Hotel Cork) and Richard Cooke.

A complete set of photos from the event will be uploaded over the next 48 hours and can be viewed on our photo page at Flickr

The Making of a Monument

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The creation of the Mother Jones Commemorative Plaque by sculptor Mick Wilkins.

These photos show the creation of the Mother Jones plaque from a simple slab of limestone to the finished memorial complete with bronze image of Mother Jones.    The plaque is the work of talented sculptor Mick Wilkins who is based at the National Sculpture Factory on Albert Road in Cork (formerly the Cork Tramway company offices).

You can see more of Mick’s inspiring work on his website at www.wilkinsart.ie

You will have to wait for the unveiling on August 1st 2012 to see the completed image in situ at John Redmond Street.  We will of course put a photo and photos of the unveiling ceremony on the site when that takes place.

sawing

Mick Wilkins starts work by sawing the limestone slab to the correct size


Sanding the limestone plaque Lettering – placing the text on the plaque Text – the lettering is in place Carving the relief image in clay the image in clay relief before casting The bronze image

Mother Jones plaque takes shape

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Mother Jones plaque
Mother Jones plaque – a work in progress by sculptor Mick WIlkins

The photo above shows the commemorative plaque to Mother Jones which will be unveiled on Wednesday, 1st August during the Cork Mother Jones festival.  This photo was taken some time ago when the bronze image of Mother Jones was in being cast.  This will be highly polished and will stand out from the main plaque.  Sculptor Mick Wilkins has done a marvellous job on the plaque and we hope to have some more photos soon of the finished product.  Of course the best place to see the plaque will be to attend the unveiling ceremony at John Redmond Street, Shandon at 7.30pm on August 1st.   There you will see history taking place as Cork finally remembers its rebel daughter Mary Harris Jone / Mother Jones.