Author: WWC

This year the Women’s Centre celebrate our 25th anniversary (1995 – 2020). There was full attendance at the International Women’s Day weeklong Festival from the 3rd – 8th March. 50 attended the launch on Tuesday 3rd March in Waterford Institute of Technology, College Street Campus, with an International Circle Dance workshop, led by Kate Crotty, Women’s Centre.

On Wednesday 4th March the Women’s Centre in partnership with Waterford Civic Trust unveiled a Blue Plaque to the Daly Family, Mai, Debbie and their mother Margaret who ran a café for the poor of Waterford, better known as ‘the shop’, at no 5 Arundel Lane.  It was attended by over 100 people. Des Griffin, Chair of the Waterford Civic Trust, was the MC on the day and welcomed the Mayor of Waterford Cllr. John Pratt.  The Mayor acknowledged the kindness of the Daly’s in providing a place where the poor of Waterford were treated with compassion and kindness.  Breda Freyne, niece of Mai and Debbie Daly unveiled the plaque and nephew Robert Lanigan spoke on behalf of the Daly family, many generations of whom were in attendance.  Robert paid tribute to his aunts and his grandmother’s kindness and generosity and said they would have not wanted the notoriety of the Blue Plaque as they were very humble women.  Eleanor Murphy, Women’s Centre History Group, spoke about the history of the Daly Family and gave examples of how these resilient women treated everyone who came to their café equally and without judgement.

Paddy Ryan and Jim Casey, Trado, provided the music in the Lane before the unveiling, with appropriate songs like ‘Skibbereen’ ringing out.  Billy McCarthy and Davy Walsh, in attendance at the event, are two of the original organisers who supported the sisters to oppose the attempted eviction in the early 1970s, and were instrumental in organising the community of Waterford City to come out in mass to successfully prevent the eviction taking place. The Gingerman provided tea and sandwiches for everyone, a welcome respite from the cold and rain.   

On Thursday 5th March over 100 attended the launch of the annual Women’s History Exhibition in Waterford Central Library.  The exhibition was launched by Jane Cantwell, Waterford City and County Libraries, who said how delighted they were to be trusted with this important exhibition and acknowledged its popularity.  Jane said it was important that this exhibition is somewhere that is open and accessible to everyone, and the library provides such a space.   Ann Fitzgerald, Women’s Centre History Group, acknowledged the support received for the new and improved exhibition stand from Creative Ireland Waterford.    Ann also acknowledged the collaboration between the History Group and Andrew Kelly in the ongoing work of recording women’s history in Waterford.  This year’s exhibition, which will remain in the library until the 27th March, also celebrates 25 years of the Waterford Women’s Centre.  Maeve O’Grady, founder member of the Women’s Centre, spoke about the growth and development of the Centre since 1995 and attributed its successes to working collectively both at a local level and national level, as one of 17 Women’s Centre under the National Collective of Community Women’s Networks (NCCWN). 

 Launched also at the event was the exhibition of beautiful handmade bonnets, by women from the Women’s Centre ‘Bonnet Project’ facilitated by Liz Heffernan and funded by the WWETB.  The bonnet exhibition is part of the larger ‘Roses from the Heart’ exhibition remembering Waterford women who were transported to Tasmania in the 1800s. Michelle Tyler, Women’s Centre, read a letter from Christine Henry, founder of the Roses from the Heart Project, appreciating the continuation of this work in Waterford. 

Music was by the Women’s Centre singers under the direction of local musician Jane O’Brien-Moran who led the audience in a rendition of Happy Birthday to the Women’s Centre to end the festival. 

Thanks to all who attended the festival and to those who supported it; the Central Library, Waterford Civic Trust, WIT, WWETB, Creative Ireland Waterford & Waterford Council Festival Grant. 

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Waterford Women’s Centre, celebrating 25 years, since 1995, working with women and children in Waterford, presents the annual International Women’s Day Festival 2020.  The festival hosts a number of free events beginning with an International Circle Dance workshop, led by Kate Crotty and festival launch on Tuesday 3rd March in Waterford Institute of Technology, College Street Campus, Dance Studio from 9.15 – 11.15

On Wednesday 4th March a Civic Trust Blue Plaque will be unveiled to the Daly Family at 11am in Arundel Lane where Mai, Debbie and their mother, Margaret Daly provided what was commonly known as a ‘Poor Man’s Café’.  Their clientele were the homeless men of the city, the out-of-work dockers and other marginalised members of society. For a few pence these men were not only fed, but were welcomed and given respite from walking the streets on cold winter days. In the early 1970s, when the sisters Mai and Debbie faced eviction, the community of Waterford City came out in mass to prevent a great social injustice being carried out and were hugely instrumental in preventing the eviction of these two selfless women from their home and business at number 5 Arundel Lane Waterford. 

On Thursday 5th March the launch of the annual Women’s History Exhibition will take place in the Central Library, Waterford city at 11am to raise awareness of women’s contribution. The exhibition represents years of collaboration between Andrew Kelly, Kilmacthomas and Women’s Centre’s History Group Chairwoman, Ann Fitzgerald.  This year’s exhibition also celebrates 25 years of the Waterford Women’s Centre along with; the Daly Family, the Cockle Women, Rosemond Jacob, Dr Mary Strangman and photos from the ‘Women at Work Collection’ which was exhibited for the first time in 2019.  Included in the Exhibition are beautiful handmade bonnets, by women from the Women’s Centre ‘Bonnet Project’ facilitated by Liz Heffernan.  The bonnet exhibition is part of the larger ‘Roses from the Heart’ exhibition remembering Waterford women who were transported to Tasmania between 1788 & 1853.  The exhibition will remain in the Library until the 27th March. 

On Sunday 8th March International Women’s Day the ‘Well Girl’ walk will take place on the Greenway to raise funds for the Women’s Centre.  Starting at 11am from the WIT arena Greenway entrance and walking to Mount Congreve and back.  Registration is €10 for adults (children are free) available on line, through our facebook page; Waterford Women’s Centre NCCWN or at the event on the day.  Sponsorship cards are also available from the Women’s Centre. 

Thanks to all who support this festival: Waterford Civic Trust, Waterford Council, Creative Ireland, Waterford, Waterford Institute of Technology, Waterford Central Library and Waterford Wexford Education & Training Board.  

Approximately 100 people attended ‘Learning from the Legacy of Loss’ Information & Awareness Event on Thursday 5^th December 2019 from 11am to 1.00pm in Carrickphierish Library, Carrickphierish Road, Gracedieu, Waterford City. This event was hosted by the Waterford Local Area Network Opposing Violence Against Women and highlighted the impact of domestic violence (delete – ‘has’ …’and’) as well as identifying supports and services available in Waterford. Opening the event Claire Coughlan, Manager Oasis House Women’s Refuge welcomed everyone and introduced the organisers of the event, the Waterford Local Area Network (LAN) as a network of statutory, community and voluntary groups that provide services to those experiencing domestic abuse. The LAN aims to raise awareness and improve communication between service providers, enable access to services and address issues that place barriers to women and childrens safety. The event was supported by Tusla Child & Family Agency and the LAN member organisations.  Guest speakers at the event included Priscilla Grainger, the founder of the Stop Domestic Violence in Ireland (SDVI) group, which is campaigning for domestic violence to be made a criminal offence. The event also heard some moving personal stories and accounts from local survivors of domestic abuse. Audio clips of interviews with women and children were played in which they spoke about some of their own harrowing experiences.  Artwork with written and embroidered pieces from women survivors were also on display at the event. The updated ‘Enough Is Enough’ booklet was launched by Anne Scully, Manager, Waterford Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre.  This booklet was produced by the Waterford Local Area Network and funded by Waterford Court Services and Waterford City and County Council. Musician, Ria Hymas, Dungarvan, facilitated uplifting group singing throughout the event.