Smashing Times’ Constance and Her Friends ‘at Home’ in Dublin Castle on International Women’s Day, 8 March

Smashing Times, in partnership with the Pop-Up Women in Politics and Public Life Exhibition Dublin Castle, and with the support of Dublin City Council, are delighted to invite you to join us for an ‘At Home’ with a difference as Constance de Markievicz and her friends are brought to life, using events that happened in and around the Dublin Castle complex. This ‘female take over’ in the impressive State Apartments of Dublin Castle is timely as we celebrate International Women’s Day.

Climb the grand staircase and join us for a promenade performance with Constance de Markievicz and friends in Dublin Castle. This walkabout performance, based on Constance and Her Friends by Mary Moynihan and new writing by Dr Sinéad McCoole, takes you through the James Connolly room, the State Drawing Room, the Throne Room, the Portrait Gallery and the circular room (better known as the Gothic Room). Enjoy storytelling, poetry and song as you meet Constance and her friends and explore stories of women we celebrated during this the Decade of Centenaries.

The event is a colourful gathering to mark 8 March, International Women’s Day as artists from Smashing Times work with artistic Director Mary Moynihan and Historian Dr Sinéad McCoole. ‘100 Years of Women in Politics and Public Life 1920-2020’ is also on display in Dublin Castle’s Coach House Gallery until 4 May 2020. Don’t miss your chance to see it before its run ends.

All are welcome to come and enjoy performances with artists Margaret Toomey, Róisín McAtamney, Carla Ryan, Geraldine McAlinden and Lisa Mc Loughlin-Gnemmi. We look forward to your company and welcome questions and discussions on the day.

Where:            Dublin Castle State Apartments, Upper Courtyard

When:              Sunday, 8 March, 1pm and 4pm

Bookings:         Via Eventbrite here

The show is promenade (walk-about) style moving from room to room. All areas in the State Apartments are universally accessible, including the cafe and restrooms.

The work is based on Constance and Her Friends by Mary Moynihan and new writing by Dr Sinéad McCoole, as Constance Markievicz, Nora Connolly O’Brien, Helena Molony, Grace Gifford, Hanna Sheehy Skeffington, and Lily Mernin reflect on memories of the 1916 Rising, the Irish War of Independence and Civil War, their time in prison, and the suffrage movement. We meet Constance in 1891 as she attends an ‘At Home’ with her cousin the Vicereine, the Countess of Zetland and we journey with Constance as she talks about her involvement in 1916 and the War of Independence. Enjoy Grace Evelyn Gifford telling the story of her time with Joseph Mary Plunkett, one of the leaders executed after the 1916 Easter Rising and the youngest signatory to the Irish proclamation.

Come along to enjoy this exciting performance celebrating the lives of women in Irish history from 1916 to 1923, and women’s voices today.

For more information see www.smashingtimes.ie

Smashing Times International Centre for the Arts and Equality incorporating Smashing Times Theatre and Film Company and Smashing Times Youth Arts Ensemble

Coleraine House, Coleraine Street, Dublin 7, Ireland.

Tel: + 353 (0) 1 865 6613 Tel: + 353 (0) 87 221 4245

Email: info@smashingtimes.ie Website: www.smashingtimes.ie

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100 YEARS OF WOMEN IN POLITICS AND PUBLIC LIFE

10 February 2020 – 4 May 2020

Coach House Gallery, Dublin Castle Gardens

This Pop-Up Museum explores 100 years of women’s participation in politics and public life in Ireland. The exhibition shines a spotlight on the stories of very familiar and less well-known women, who have contributed significantly to Irish political and public life over the past century – on the challenges they faced and the obstacles they overcame. It is told with films, interviews, interactives, objects and information panels, and looks at the individual lives of women elected to the Oireachtas over the period 1918 to 2016.

The exhibition is a wonderful opportunity to encourage people of all ages to reflect upon the journey that this country has taken, particularly over the past century. Highlighting all that has been achieved in the area of women’s participation in political life over the period, the exhibition also aims to raise awareness of the considerable work remaining to be done, and will encourage discussion, debate and

analysis as part of the ongoing exploration of our more recent history. The exhibition is an initiative of the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht as part of the Decade of Centenaries programme. It is hosted by the Office of Public Works at Dublin Castle and is curated by Dr Sinéad McCoole.

Smashing Times Decade of Centenaries

Digital Art Exhibition Women’s Voices Then and Now –

A Creative Celebration of Women’s Stories in Ireland from 1916 to 1923

How can you be an artist, and not reflect the times?

– Nina Simone

Smashing Times have set up a digital art exhibition celebrating the stories of powerful women in Ireland from 1916 to 1923. Our venue is cyberspace and our exhibition is titled Women’s Voices Then and Now – A Creative Celebration of Women’s Stories from 1916 to 1923.

This unique digital art exhibition is displayed on the web platform for the Smashing Times International Centre for the Arts and Equality dedicated to the promotion, protection, study and practice of the arts, human rights and gender equality. The centre operates as a world class arts space and digital hub for artists, communities and the general public across Ireland and internationally, providing a resource service and networking agency and an annual inter-disciplinary arts programme.

This exhibition takes inspiration from women’s stories from the 1916 to 1923 period in Irish history, highlighting stories of change experienced by pioneering women in Ireland. We explore women’s stories covering the Irish Rising of 1916, the 1918 Centenary Vote for Women, the Civil War, War of Independence and the founding years of the Irish free state. We also highlight the voices of artists and citizens as they reflect on the decade of centenaries taking place in Ireland. Further information is available here.