‘Take pride in the history of Irish women... there’s a lot to be proud of’

WOMEN need to pull together more and look out for each other.

That’s the view of leading Irish journalist, broadcaster and feminist Justine McCarthy, who feels strongly that there’s a lot of self-interest and a ‘divide and conquer’ approach prevalent among women in all parts of society.

The Bandon woman will be back in her home town to chair a panel discussion as part of Creative Bandon’s Brigid’s Festival which runs from February 1-4.

Panellists will ponder the question ‘What Now Brigid,’ and discuss how far women have come, and if our voices are being heard.

“I think we have come a long way,” said Justine. “But I think we have a long way more to go and the big danger is that we will think the job is complete now and we’ll become complacent.”

Working together is the next phase women need to work on to achieve equality in Ireland, she said.

There is this idea, that ‘I’m alright, and my experience is fine so why should we change things.’

“We have had a deluge in recent decades of appalling horror stories about the way women and girls were treated by the state and I think while there is a huge amount of empathy in the county – people in Ireland are very kind by nature – there’s always that idea that ‘my experience is fine, so I don’t know why you need to go and change anything’.”

Justine in particular expressed concern about the upcoming referendum on International Women’s Day, March 8, to amend Article 41.2, which currently recognises that “by her life within the home, woman gives to the State a support without which the common good cannot be achieved”.

It’s commonly referred to as the piece in the constitution which says the woman’s place is in the home. If passed, it would be replaced by: “The State recognises that the provision of care, by members of a family to one another by reason of the bonds that exist among them, gives to Society a support without which the common good cannot be achieved, and shall strive to support such provision.”

I’m very concerned that the proposal to delete article 41.2 is going to fail, there’s this presumption that it’s a done deal. 

"There’s also been a lot of ‘mansplaining’ by men, telling women how we should feel about it,” she said.

Justine is one of the country’s most respected writers and has been trusted by many women to share their stories. Among them was Annie Murphy, who had a child with bishop of Galway Eamonn Casey.

“A lot of social progress made in the past decade or two has come about from women telling their stories,” she said.

“It led to the repeal of the eighth amendment on abortion, and women telling their stories about the Magdalene Laundries and Mother & Baby Homes lifted the lid on State cruelty which, I believe, brought out a new tenderness and tolerance in the country.”

She urged younger women in particular to “be active and join campaigns”.

“Educate yourself, read up on your history, listen to other women’s stories, facilitate other women’s stories, and take pride in the history of Irish women. There’s a lot to be proud of, and some amazing women in this country,” she said, name checking Kathleen Lynn, Hanna Sheehy Skeffington, Constance Markievicz and Louie Bennett to Christine Buckley, Lavinia Kerwick, Vicky Phelan and Mary Robinson.

Justine said she didn’t think twice when asked to be part of Creative Bandon’s festival, and was delighted to give something back to Bandon, which she said was “very good to my family while we were there”.

Also, as a feminist, the whole idea of women’s voices being heard appeals to me.

“My mother’s name is also Brigid and in another coincidence the panel event takes place on the anniversary of my parents’ wedding anniversary,” she said.

Meeting people who remember her parents brings her great joy when she returns to Bandon.

“My father died in 1964, and we left there in 1979, but I still meet people who remember his funeral and remember him. In fact, I was on the bus in Dublin recently when a woman called across, ‘Are you William McCarthy’s daughter?’ That was just incredible. My roots will always be in Bandon.”

Joining Justine on the panel on Sunday, February 4, in the town will be Siobhán Cronin, Southern Star editor; Bernie Connolly, Cork Environmental Forum; Dr Rosarie Kingston, herbalist and Brigid academic, and Karen Minihan, author, playwright and actor.

Justine urged everyone – male, female, young and old – to come along and said she was looking forward to getting “inspiration and motivation and awareness of the lives of other people” on the day.

ABOUT THE FESTIVAL

Creative Bandon have been ahead of the curve celebrating Brigid’s Day, several years before it became a national bank holiday.

The motivation, according to secretary Marguerite McQuaid, is to help explore some of our indigenous wisdom, particularly in relation to the environment.

Brigid was Ireland’s most important saint in the 5th century, celebrated as matron of poets, smithcraft, healing and fertility.

Her lore signals renewal, bounty and the earth waking up – each associated with the tilt back to brighter days.

“We are delighted to have RTÉs folklorist Shane Lehane speak on Friday, February 2. He is hugely knowledgeable and talks of a version of Brigid celebrated all over Europe in pre-Christian times,” said Marguerite.

“Bank Holidays almost always reflect old Celtic agricultural festivals, and the fact that we generally don’t know this, illustrates in a way how far we have disconnected from the nature,” she said.

Creativity is a fantastic gateway to celebrate our heritage and art, and we’re using it to explore different myths and wisdom that we have almost lost.

“We are also looking at woman’s voices, both in the past and present,” she said.

Creative Bandon have a programme of both paid and free events over the festival weekend.

Highlights will be a performance of Karen Minihan’s Extraordinary, Ordinary Women: Live! (followed by panel discussion chaired by Justine McCarthy).

Developed from a book of the same name, this is about women whose work was critical to the founding of the state, but whose stories are unknown – a bit like our matron saint.

Creative Bandon is all about inclusivity, and the emphasis is that the festival is not just female-centred but will have something for everyone – history buffs, music lovers, folk lore enthusiasts, yoga practitioners, and wild swimmers.

Search Creative Bandon’s Facebook or Instagram page for more details.

SUGGESTIONS ON HOW TO MARK ST BRIGID’S DAY ON FEBRUARY 1

Marguerite’s other suggestions to celebrate Brigid’s day include:

· Get yourself out of your head and walk into nature.

· Look for signs of spring growth in your garden or a plant pot.

· Make or buy a Brigid’s cross or Brideog.

· Make a lovely old fashioned colcannon – use plenty of Irish butter

· Visit a Holy Well – Brigid was Matron of the poor and sick with many healing wells in her name.