Pictures: Women descend on Cork's City Hall for special event to mark IWD 

Stepping into the Millennium Hall last Friday morning for a special event ahead of International Women’s Day, one would be forgiven for simply forgetting about the enduring rain that dominated the first two months of the year.

A hive of activity awaited attendees of the event, organised to showcase and raise awareness of the many community groups, services, and organisations supporting women in Cork.

Inside, representatives from dozens of groups were on hand to chat about their organisations - many well-established, and some lesser known - and to signpost people to the array of services in Cork.

When I arrived, a group of students from a nearby school was departing, no doubt armed with fresh knowledge about services for women in Cork they may not have previously known existed.

The hall echoed with the sound of chatter and laughter, as people made their way around the room to meet the various organisations.

These groups included the Cork Traveller Women’s Network, the Solace Café, which provides a free out-of-hours community mental health crisis prevention and support service in the city, and the Cork Alliance Centre, which provides support for people due to be released from prison.

Work Equal - an organisation which aims to prepare women to enter or return to the workplace - was also at hand, as were representatives from Cork’s Change Cafe - a menopause and women’s health initiative, Network Cork, and See Her Elected (SHE), which is working to help prepare women for the 2029 local elections.

The HSE had a presence, providing information on the ground about local supports and services, including the Sexual Assault Treatment Unit.

In fact, there were so many in attendance, it would be impossible to include them all here, but some of the other groups included West Cork Beacon, Clonakilty and Mayfield Women’s Sheds, the Lantern Community Project at Nano Nagle Place, Edel House, and the Samaritans.

The gathering was organised by the Lady Mayoress of Cork, Karen Brennan.

The idea first came to her soon after Fergal Dennehy, was elected as the city’s Lord Mayor last June.

“I had an idea about the women’s groups in Cork, and I knew that I wanted to engage with them and just recognise them for what they’re doing because they do amazing work,” she said.

This initial idea developed into an International Women’s Day initiative, which culminated in the special showcase event and brought together community groups, cultural organisations, and women’s support services for a morning of networking, information-sharing, and celebration at City Hall.

The theme of the initiative, “with knowledge we thrive, with support we rise”, was reflected throughout the programme, highlighting the crucial role of information, connection, and solidarity in empowering women at every stage of life.

“It’s been amazing today, and I’m delighted just to see the groups get the awareness of what they’re doing and the recognition that they deserve.

“Across our city, there are incredible supports available for women at every stage of life, and I want to encourage women to reach out and make use of them. We don’t have to do everything on our own. There is a helping hand, a listening ear, and practical support in every corner of our community.

“Taking that first step and asking for help takes courage, but it is often where real action and meaningful change begin. When women feel supported, informed, and connected, they are empowered to move forward with confidence, and our entire city is stronger for it.”

Ms Brennan said the event also proved a success for groups in the city to actually connect with each other.

“There have even been groups that are telling me that they have been connected with each other... So for them to have that connection and that networking is so important as well because they know of each other, but now they can say, oh yes, I know so and so and you can go and have a chat with her, and she’ll help you with whatever that is.”

The timing of the event, ahead of International Women’s Day, proved an opportunity to remind women in Cork that they are not alone, the Lady Mayoress explained.

“For me, I think when women are supported, they come to their full potential. I think that there’s no woman has to do anything alone, and sometimes we feel that we need to do it all ourselves, and we don’t.

“So it’s just to acknowledge that together, we can lift each other up and progress in whatever way we want to and just show up for ourselves as well,” the Lady Mayoress added.

Ms Brennan emphasised the importance of continuing to build strong networks and fostering a culture where women feel encouraged, included, and uplifted.

Leaving the hall on Friday, it was clear that nobody felt alone - there was a sense that the rain might finally stop, that spring was coming, and that together, women can achieve great things.