Feminist Activism in Ireland: Past, Present and Future

Join us for discussions on successive feminist ‘waves’ in Ireland, and what they contributed and continue to contribute to gender equality in this country. 

The conference aims to create a dialogue between the different generations of feminists, and will place current campaigns in the context of the movement as a whole. While showcasing new, recently established feminist organisations, the conference will also assess the continuity of feminist activism over the decades. We hope that such a holistic reading of feminist activism in Ireland will prove fruitful for the future progression of the movement.

The conference will be structured chronologically, focusing on the first wave of feminist activism in Ireland, the second wave, newly formed feminist organisations and the future of the movement. 

Conference Programme:

10 - 10.30: Registration/Coffee

10.30 - 10.45: Introduction by Dr. Clara Fischer, Irish Feminist Network, and Poetry Reading by Catherine Phil MacCarthy

10.45 - 11: Keynote Address I: Mary Lou McDonald, TD and Deputy Leader of Sinn Féin

11 - 11.45: Feminist Activism in Ireland: The First Wave

• Dr. Mary McAuliffe, President, Women’s History Association of Ireland, and UCD Women's Studies
• Dr. Margaret Ward, Director of Women’s Resource and Development Agency, Belfast
• Mamo McDonald, Honorary president of Age and Opportunity, former president of the Irish Countrywomen’s Association
• Chair: Dr. Mary Cullen, Centre for Gender and Women’s Studies, TCD, and co-founder of the Women’s History Assocation of Ireland

11.45 - 12.15:   Q&A

12.15 - 1:  Feminist Activism in Ireland: The Second Wave

• Grainne Healy, Chairwoman of Marriage Equality
• Susan McKay, author, journalist, founder member of the Belfast Rape Crisis Network, and former CEO of the National Women’s Council of Ireland
• Anne Speed, founding member of Irish Women United, Socialist and Trade Unionist
• Chair: Anthea McTiernan, Editor of The Ticket, The Irish Times

1 - 1.30:  Q&A

1.30 - 2.15: Lunch

2:15 - 2.30: Keynote Address II: Salome Mbugua, CEO of AkiDwA

2.30 - 3.15: Feminist Activism in the Present: Recent Developments

• Alison Spillane, Irish Feminist Network
• Dr. Jennifer DeWan, Cork Feminista
• Emma Brannlund, NUIG Feminist Society
• Chair: Ailbhe Smyth, Feminist Open Forum

3.15 - 3.45: Q&A

3.45 - 4.30: Feminist Activism in the Future: Thematic Groups

• Feminism in the University 
• Feminism and Reproductive Rights         
• Feminism and Migrant Women’s Rights
• Feminism and Young People
• Feminism and Gendered Economic Inequality

4.30 - 5: Facilitated Discussion on Thematic Groups & Close

We have managed to secure limited childcare facilities for this event, and places are reserved specifically for lone parents. They will be allocated on a first-come first-served basis. Please note that we will not be able to accommodate infants. Information on the facilities here: http://www.seanocaseycommunitycentre.ie/das.html

For any other special requirements, please let us know and we will try to ccommodate you as best possible.

Tickets available from here:

http://entertainment.ticketsolve.com/shows/126524819/events

For further info, please contact Dr. Clara Fischer at [email protected]

Full conference programme available from here: