Cuban ambassador will attend Cork's Mother Jones Festival

The Cuban ambassador to Ireland is to visit Shandon for the the 15th Annual Spirit of Mother Jones Festival and Summer School, which will runs from Thursday, July 23, until Saturday, July 25.

The festival will see 25 events on an interesting and challenging programme over the three days at the Maldron Hotel, Shandon.

This unique festival celebrates the life of Mary Harris, who was baptised in the North Cathedral by Fr John O’Mahony in 1837. She later emigrated from Cork, initially to Canada and then to America around the Great Famine period, and went on to become the union activist Mother Jones.

Cuban ambassador, His Excellency Bernardo Guanche Hernández, will honour Mother Jones by his attendance at the festival. He follows the attendance of the Palestinian ambassador who spoke at last year’s festival.

Cummins Sisters of Cork

Sara Nelson, one of the most prominent American trade union leaders will send fraternal greetings to the festival through Zoom.

Regular speakers such as Anne Twomey a local historian will explore the remarkable story of the Cummins Sisters of Cork.

Phil Ní Sheaghdha, president of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, will be a keynote speaker, and Professor Naomi Masheti will speak in relation to investing in migrants being allowed to tell their stories.

There will be music from Cork Singers’ Club, Kalyna Ukrainian Community Choir, Club Ceoil Ballyphehane Ballad Group, and Martin Leahy.

The Summer School will include a discussion about the local and national impact of the Raybestos Manhattan factory (1975-1980) due to its use of asbestos in Cork some 50 years ago.

Dumping of asbestos

The dumping of asbestos from the factory at Ovens in Ringaskiddy in 1978, led to widespread community opposition and protests from people across the Cork Harbour area.

Speakers including Gertie O’Driscoll, John Twomey from Ringaskiddy Residents Association, Tom MacSweeney and Derry Chambers will recall and discuss these events of some 50 years ago and their huge impact at the time.

James Nolan, spokesperson for the Cork Mother Jones Committee, said: “We are all looking forward to this inclusive festival and summer school which seeks to be relevant, interesting and challenging for those attending.

“We are really proud that so many international, national and local speakers arrive each year to honour and celebrate a local girl who is known around the world, and is becoming recognized as epitomising the true spirit of Cork people.”

Organised entirely by an independent voluntary committee and supported by Irish trade unions and the Cork City Council, there is no charge to attend the events allowing for open access to all.

Seats are available on a first come first seated basis.