The award ceremony took place at the Dance Cork Firkin Crane on Friday evening, 26th July 2024. The award was presented to Miss Zeina Allazzeh, the Research and Policy Officer of the Embassy of the State of Palestine in Ireland.
Miss Allazzeh had been nominated by Ambassador Dr. Jilan Wahba Abdalmajid to receive the award on their behalf.
Miss Zeina Allazzeh receiving the award from James Nolan, of the Cork Mother Jones Committee accompanied by Ann Piggott.
The presentation ceremony took place after a public meeting “Stories of Palestine”, which featured speakers, Walaa Sabha, Fiona O’Rourke and Dr. Nick Maynard.
Miss Zeina Alazzeh on behalf of the Palestinian Ambassador to Ireland with the Spirit of Mother Jones Award 2024 from the Cork Mother Jones Committee at the Dance Cork Firkin Crane. @Sweeneynmedia.
Response from the Palestinian Ambassador to Ireland, Dr. Jilan Wahba Abdalmajid to the Cork Mother Jones Committee.
The Spirit of Mother Jones Award 2024 at the Embassy of the State of Palestine in Dublin.
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 26th 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 Irelandsince 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 11th 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 cleansePalestinians 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.
Don O’Leary, director of Cork Life Centre is presented with the 2022 Spirit of Mother Jones award in an emotional ceremony during the Spirit of Mother Jones Festival.
The award was presented by James Nolan and was followed by a sustained standing ovation from the large number of people present.
Don O’Leary receives the award from James Nolan.
Don is the first Cork man to receive the award and he commented afterwards that it meant so much to him as Mother Jones was one of his heroes for seeking to prevent the exploitation of children in the mines and mills of America and ensure they received an education and also that he and the Cork Life Centre had been selected by the ordinary people of Cork. This represents the ultimate recognition for his efforts and the wonderful work of the staff and volunteers of the Cork Life Centre.
Don O’Leary and Rachel of the Cork Life Centre with the Cork Mother Jones Committee
Left to Right: Rachel Lucey, Don O’Leary and Sharon O’Neill of the Cork Life Centre.
The Spirit of Mother Jones citation for Don O’Leary and the Cork Life Centre was read.
For his courage and determination to ensure that children and young people are not left behind by the Irish education system.
For his Trojan efforts and that of the volunteers and staff at the Cork Life Centre to create a positive and practical community of learning which is welcoming, supportive and encouraging of young people.
For his advocacy of human rights and social justice especially in relation to children’s rights and their opportunities to progress to the best of their creative abilities and individual talents which contribute so much to a better community and world.
For his refusal to accept that one size fits all in the Irish education system and for his refusal to compromise in relation to this fundamental student centred approach focused on authentic inquiry and experiential learning and measures success in a radically different way to the standard competitive exam system.
For his practical approach to providing a structured base and a supportive network which has established an educational home for the young people to use their talents and visualize opportunities to fulfil their dreams in life and become productive members of society.
For his encouragement of young people to walk the road of life using their own unique abilities, independence of spirit, critical observation and an appreciation of their own self-worth.
CORK MOTHER JONES COMMITTEE 2022
Don O’Leary being congratulated by Caitriona Twomey of Cork Penny Dinners.
Left to Right: Don O’Leary, James Nolan and Antoinette Keegan.
Antoinette Keegan received the following goodwill message from Charlie Bird on the occasion of her visit to the Spirit of Mother Jones Festival 2022 in Cork.
Charlie Bird message to Antoinette Keegan (by permission of Antoinette).
The Award for 2020 which was to have been presented to Christine Keegan of the Stardust Justice Campaign was presented to her daughter Antoinette on Friday 29th July 2022 at the Firkin Crane, by James Nolan on behalf of the Cork Mother Jones Committee..
James Nolan presents the Spirit of Mother Jones Award 2020 to Antoinette Keegan.
Sadly Christine passed away in July 2020. Antoinette was accompanied by her sisters Lorraine and Suzanne and uncle Frank and Phyllis and Maurice McHugh who lost their only daughter Caroline in the Stardust Fire on Valentine Day 1981.
Suzanne, Antoinette and Lorraine Keegan.
The Citation reads as follows:
“The Spirit of Mother Jones Award is awarded this year to Ms. Antoinette Keegan of the Stardust Victims Committee for her determination, resilience and longstanding efforts to pursue truth, accountability and justice for the Stardust victims and their families over almost 40 years.
Antoinette and her late mother Christine and father John have pursued answers to what happened at the Stardust fire on 14th February 1981, where 48 young people lost their lives, including Antoinette’s sisters Mary and Martina.
In spite of her own injuries, the loss of her sisters, and the failure of the Public Authorities to provide answers, Antoinette has continued to actively campaign to uncover the full truth of the events of that night. She is an inspiration to so many!
For her bravery, courage and commitment, Antoinette Keegan is a very worthy recipient of the 2020 Spirit of Mother Jones Award.”
CORK mOTHER jONES committee for antoinette keegan.
The Keegan and McHugh families with the Cork Mother Jones Committee.
The Cork Mother Jones Committee is proud to announce that the 2022 Spirit of Mother Jones Award will be presented to Don O’Leary, director of the Cork Life Centre. This is the tenth annual award which the committee has made and Mr O’Leary is the first Cork man to receive it. The award will be presented later this week to Mr O’Leary at the Spirit of Mother Jones Festival on Saturday 30th July at 1pm at the Maldron Hotel, Shandon.
Don O’Leary.
Jim Nolan on behalf of the Cork Mother Jones Committee stated;
“We are really pleased to announce that the Spirit of Mother Jones Award for 2022 has been awarded to Don O’Leary, director of the Cork Life Centre for his work and commitment to providing an alternative learning environment to many young people who are outside the mainstream education system.
Specifically Don has shown by his example and dedication to the young people how they can make progress within a different system which places them at the very core attempts to meet their unique needs and requirements.”
Cork Life Centre at Sunday’s Well.
The Committee’s citation for Don O’Leary and the Cork Life Centre includes the following;
‘For his courage and determination to ensure that children and young people are not left behind by the Irish education system.
For his Trojan efforts and that of the volunteers and staff at the Cork Life Centre to create a positive and practical community of learning which is welcoming, supportive and encouraging of young people.
For his advocacy of human rights and social justice especially in relation to children’s rights and their opportunities to progress to the best of their creative abilities and individual talents which contribute so much to a better community and world.
For his refusal to accept that one size fits all in the Irish education system and for his refusal to compromise in relation to this fundamental student centred approach focused on authentic inquiry and experiential learning and measures success in a radically different way to the standard competitive exam system.’
Cork Life Centre GardenCork Life Centre Garden
On behalf of the Cork Mother Jones, we congratulate Don O’Leary and the Cork Life Centre.
Congratulations to the Cork Survivors and Supporters Alliance (CSSA) on being the recipients of the Spirit of Mother Jones Award for 2021.
CSSA members, Catherine Coffey O’Brien, and Maureen Considine, accompanied by Sheila O’Byrne, and Phil Kinsella received the award from James Nolan of the Cork Mother Jones Committee during the recent festival. The award itself is based on the story of the Children of Lir in Irish folklore.
From Left: Sheila O’Byrne, Catherine Coffey O’Brien, Phil Kinsella, and Maureen Considine.
Catherine expressed her delight for the recognition and community support which this award represents and stated that the CSSA felt honoured to have been nominated to receive it as it meant so much to the group.
The official citation from the Cork Mother Jones Committee is as follows.
“The Spirit of Mother Jones Award for 2021 is presented to members of the Cork Survivors and Supporters Alliance for:
· Their bravery and determination to ensure that development does not take place on sensitive burial areas of the former Mother & Baby ‘Home’ at Bessborough in Cork.
· Their efforts to organise a voice for the mothers of deceased children, and to publicly question where the remains of hundreds of babies are buried, and why the records of burials have not been produced to date.
· Their work in locating the OSI 1950 Map which has a marked location of a Childrens’ Burial Ground in Bessborough clearly displayed.
· Their resilience in defending and verifying the accuracy of this map at the oral hearing of An Bord Pleanala during April 2021 and for convincing the planning Board to reject the proposed development.
· Their continuing campaign to seek the right with the common tradition for a dignified burial place for those who died, for the preservation of the burial grounds, for access to the grounds and for the creation of an appropriate memorialisation garden for the mothers and children at Bessborough.
The members of the CSSA are the second Cork-based recipients of this International Award which is named in honour of Cork born Mary Harris known around the world as Mother Jones.
Catherine and Maureen.Sheila, Catherine, Phil and Maureen.
The Cork Mother Jones Committee is honoured that the CSSA has accepted the 2021 award which indeed is an acknowledgement of our admiration for their determination to honour the dead, and continue to fight for the living.
· 2:00 pm. Blood on the Mountain produced by Mari-Lynn Evans.
· 4:00 pm. Palikari: Louis Tikas and the Ludlow Massacre by Lamprini C Tomas and Nickos Ventouras.
· 6:00 pm. Mother Jones: The Most Dangerous Woman in America by Rosemary Feurer.
Documentaries at Spirit of Mother Jones Festival 2021.
· 6:30 pm. Interview (zoom) with Mari Steed, Adoption Rights campaigner.
· 7:00 pm. Maureen Considine and Catherine Coffey O’Brien of the CorkSurvivors and Supporters Alliance, CSSA discuss their effort to safeguard the Bessborough Burial ground.
Day 2 concluded with an interview of Donal O’Drisceoil by Ann Piggott of the Cork Mother Jones Committee and Alan, William and John bring matters for the day to a conclusion with a selection of tunes and songs at the Maldron Hotel.
Ann and DonalAlan, William and John Playing at Day Two.
The late Christine Keegan and her daughter Antoinette. Photo courtesy of Sam Boal
The Cork Mother Jones Committee is proud to announce that the 2020 Spirit of Mother Jones Award will be presented to Antoinette Keegan of the Stardust Victims Committee.
Antoinette and her mother Christine Keegan were due to speak in Cork at this year’s Spirit of Mother Jones Summer school. Sadly, Christine passed away in July after a lifetime of fighting for justice for the Stardust victims.
The Keegan family have been central to the efforts for the past 40 years to investigate the causes of the fire. The recent announcement of a new inquest into the victims of the Stardust Fire is testament to the determination of Antoinette and her family and the Stardust Victims committee to pursue the truth of the night of the 13/14th February in 1981.
“The Spirit of Mother Jones Award is awarded this year to Ms. Antoinette Keegan of the Stardust Victims Committee for her determination, resilience and longstanding efforts to pursue truth, accountability and justice for the Stardust victims and their families over almost 40 years.
Antoinette and her late mother Christine and father John have pursued answers to what happened at the Stardust fire on 14th February 1981, where 48 young people lost their lives, including Antoinette’s sisters Mary and Martina.
In spite of her own injuries, the loss of her sisters, and the failure of the Authorities to provide answers, Antoinette has continued to actively campaign to uncover the full truth of the events of that night. She is an inspiration to so many!
For her bravery, courage and commitment, Antoinette Keegan is a very worthy recipient of the 2020 Spirit of Mother Jones Award.”
The Cork Mother Jones Committee
The award has been presented each year since 2013 by this committee to the person we feel most represents the fighting spirit of Mother Jones, who was born Mary Harris here in Cork in July 1837 and went on to become known throughout the world as Mother Jones. She fought for the rights of workers and the trade union movement and was involved in numerous campaigns
We will arrange to present the award representing The Children of Lir to Antoinette as soon as it becomes safe to do so in view of the current Covid-19 situation. It is hoped Antoinette will be able to come to Cork to speak at the Spirit of Mother Jones summer school in 2021.
Louise O’Keeffe receiving the 2019 Spirit of Mother Jones award from James Nolan on behalf of the Mother Jones Committee. Also in photo is Lord Mayor John Sheehan and the Lady Mayoress along with the members of the Cork Mother Jones Committee. Photo courtesy of ProVision.
2018 Cork Spirit of Mother Jones Award for Mary Manning and the Dunnes Stores Strikers.
James Nolan of the Cork Mother Jones Committee presenting the Spirit of Mother Jones award 2018 to former Dunnes Stores striker Mary Manning at the Firkin Crane Theatre in Shandon last evening. The award was jointly made to Mary and the other former Dunnes Stores strikers who maintained their action in opposition to the sale of products from then Apartheid South Africa for almost three years
Mary Manning
“Striking Back” Mary Manning’s book
Mary Manning photo by Mark Condren
Nelson Mandela
Archbishop Tutu
Dunnes Stores strikers Karen Gearon and Mary Manning with the late Nimrod Sejake of the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) and ANC.
The Cork Mother Jones Committee is proud to announce that the 2018 Spirit of Mother Jones Award has been awarded to Mary Manning and the Dunnes Stores Strikers.
On July 19th 1984, Mary, while working on the cash registers at the Dunnes Stores branch on Henry Street in Dublin refused to register the sale of two grapefruit for a customer in accordance with the stated policy of her trade union (IDATU…..now Mandate Trade Union).
Mary was immediately suspended by the Dunnes Stores management, and thus a simple action initiated the strike…..eight women and one man joined Mary on the picket lines, and the strike continued for 2 years and nine months. Their actions on that day led eventually to world-wide interest and forced a change in Irish Government policy.
According to James Nolan, spokesperson for the Cork Mother Jones Committee,
which presents this annual award
“Mary Manning and her colleagues were willing to act in accordance with the stated policy of their trade union motions and do what was right to make a determined stand to raise awareness of the brutal apartheid regime which existed in South Africa. Mary’s stand on that day in July 1984 triggered the subsequent events.
In spite of all obstacles and harassment and silence from those who should have supported them, these workers refused to be silenced and bravely stood up for the human rights of South Africans who were suffering under the apartheid regime.”
“At extraordinary personal cost, Mary Manning and her colleagues walked the picket lines month after month for over 30 months. Their actions resonated around the world and gave inspiration and hope to the oppressed people suffering under the apartheid regime.”
“None other than the future President of South Africa, Mr. Nelson Mandela himself who was in prison at the time, has stated that the Dunnes Stores Strikers gave him great hope and inspiration. Their actions forced the Irish Government to eventually ban the import of South African products to Ireland and triggered the wider boycott of these products elsewhere. Mary Manning and the Dunnes Stores Strikers are worthy recipients of the 2018 Cork Spirit of Mother Jones Award.”
Mary Manning is a native of Dublin. She emigrated to Australia for a number of years following the ending of the strike in 1987. Mary has two daughters Siobhan and Niamh and lives with her partner Dave in Dublin. She is the author with Sinead O’Brien of the recent book Striking Back – The Untold Story of an Anti-ApartheidStriker, published by Collins Press
The Cork Mother Jones Committee is honoured that Mary has come to speak at the 2018 Spirit of Mother Jones Summer School and has accepted this award on behalf of herself and her brave colleagues. The award is presented annually to people who act and work in the spirit of Mother Jones and Mary Manning and her colleagues join a worthy list of past recipients.
The 2018 Award will be presented to Ms. Manning by Mr. James Nolan of the Cork Mother Jones Committee on Friday evening August 3rd at the Firkin Crane Theatre, in the Shandon Historic Quarter in Cork.
The Dunnes Stores Strikers:
Mary Manning, Cathyrn O’Reilly, Sandra Griffin, Alma Russell, Theresa Mooney, Vonnie Malone, Karen Gearon, Tommy Davis, Michelle Glavin and Liz Deasy,
Note:
The Cork Spirit of Mother Jones Awards to date have been,
2013, Margaret Aspinall and Sue Roberts. (Hillsborough Family Support Group)
2014, Gareth Peirce. Solicitor.
2015 Fr Peter McVerry. Campaigner for the homeless.
2016 Dave Hopper (RIP) General Secretary, Durham Miners’ Association.
2017 Ken Fleming. (International Transport Workers Federation.) .
