Eternal Rebels Changemakers Multidisciplinary Exhibition with artist Mary Moynihan

Eternal Rebels Changemakers exhibition by artist Mary Moynihan is a visual and poetical reflection on stories of revolutionaries, artists and women changemakers from Irish history 1916-23 combined with landscape photography and poetry of love and courage. The exhibition was launched by Kate Kennelly, Arts Officer, Kerry County Council on Friday 2 August 2024 as part of the Cahersiveen Music and Arts Festival and the Kerry International Arts and Human Rights festival. Supported by Creative Europe. Changemaker stories highlighted in the exhibition include Eva Gore-Booth (1870-1926), a poet, writer, trade unionist, feminist and campaigner for equality and social justice, and James Connolly (1868-1916), trade unionist, socialist, supporter of Irish freedom, worker’s rights and women’s rights. The exhibition runs Monday 8 July – Thursday 31 October 2024, Monday to Sunday 10am – 5pm at The Old Barracks and Events Centre, Cahersiveen, Co Kerry.

Book Your Place

No Booking Necessary

Tickets at door: Adult – €6.50. Child (Under 12) – €4.00. Student/OAP – €5.50
Family Ticket 2 Adults + 3 Children under 12 – €20.00

Artists

Mary Moynihan, writer, poet, creator of art and photography, Artistic Director, Smashing Times International Centre for the Arts and Equality, Arts Curator for the Dublin International Arts and Human Rights festival

Full Event Details

‘If you’re always trying to be normal, you’ll never know how amazing you can be’.

Maya Angelou, Poet and Writer

Eternal Rebels Changemakers Exhibition is a multidisciplinary visual art exhibition by artist Mary Moynihan featuring photography, poetry and film. The exhibition is a visual and poetical reflection on the stories of twenty-six change-makers from the Decade of Centenaries period in Irish history (1913-1923). Changemaker stories highlighted in the exhibition include Eva Gore-Booth (1870-1926), a poet, writer, trade unionist, feminist and campaigner for equality and social justice, and James Connolly (1868-1916), trade unionist, socialist, supporter of Irish freedom, worker’s rights and women’s rights. The exhibition runs from 8 July to 31 October 2024, Monday to Sunday 10am to 5pm at The Old Barracks Heritage and Events Centre, Cahersiveen, County Kerry. 

Alongside the stories of change-makers from Irish history, the artist presents a series of poetical texts with photography and a poem-film under the title of ‘The Feeling Soul: Paradise Lost and Found’.  These are personal reflections on themes of love and courage and the internal journey of a person experiencing loss and the possibility of finding a way through, holding onto the courage to let ourselves shine.

The work is a celebration of the human spirit. The storytelling, original poetry and associated photographic images of the Irish landscape in all its forms – calm and serene, wild and wilful, alluring and physical –  explore intersections between historical memory, storytelling, visibility, love, loss and courage, and the inner world of the mind and soul linked to the physicality of the body and nature. The photographs highlight the variety of life and nature, while artist Mary Moynihan’s thought-provoking storytelling and poetic text offer avenues for the mind to explore.

Mary Moynihan, MA, she/her, is an award-winning author of novels, poetry, films and plays, and a creator of art and photography. Nature and the sea, stars and sky alongside stories of bravery, passion, desire and adventure are a driving force behind Mary’s career creating some of the finest writings, photography and paintings on what it is to be human and a search for love and meaning-making in life.

The Eternal Rebels Changemaker Exhibition features:

23 Eternal Rebels storyboard prints on wooden easels showcasing 26 Changemaker Stories from the Decade of Centenaries revolutionary period in Irish history (1916-1923) with each story accompanied by a photographic artwork depicting Irish landscapes.  Eleven displayed on floors 1 & 2 and twelve on floor 3.

Two photography and poetry artworks mounted on foamboard displayed on floor three

1 Artwork with poem and photographic image – The Ship of Belonging by Mary Moynihan

1 Artwork with poem and photographic image – Prayer by Féilim James

The Feeling Soul: Paradise Lost and Found – Eight photography and poetry artworks framed

1. Freedom – photographic artwork and poetic text by Mary Moynihan. 60 x 42cm
2. Finding My Way – photographic artwork and poetic text by Mary Moynihan. 60 x 42cm
3. Imperfections – photographic artwork and poetic text by Mary Moynihan. 60 x 42cm
4. A Broken Heart – photographic artwork and poetic text by Mary Moynihan. 60 x 42cm
5. Totality of My Soul – poetry artwork by Mary Moynihan. 60cm x 42cm
6. The Feeling Soul – photographic artwork and poetic text by Mary Moynihan. 60cm x 42cm
7. Dreamscape – photographic artwork and poetic text by Mary Moynihan. 60 x 42cm
8. On the Ledge of Courage – photographic artwork and poetic text by Mary Moynihan. 60cm x 42cm
9. On the Ledge of Courage – poem film by Mary Moynihan.

One of the artworks on display is ‘On the Ledge of Courage’, a  poem film by Mary Moynihan, performed by Carla Ryan, and is a reflection on love, courage, fear and finding a way through darkness. The poem dedicated to all those who stand up for the rights and dignity of others and can be viewed here https://youtu.be/ELNGirWrCSE. Speaking about ‘On the Ledge of Courage’ the artist Mary Moynihan says:

‘fear and courage can exist within us at the same time, in the same way that we can have strength in our vulnerability.   The physical cliff edge in the poem is inspired by Skellig Michael (Sceilg Mhichíl), a majestic island in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of the Iveragh peninsula in county Kerry, the site of an ancient medieval monastery.  The cliff edge is overlooking the ocean but this ‘ledge’ is in all of us and we often have to dive into the unknown for both ourselves and others. I’ve been coming to Valentia for many years and I often refer to the island and surrounding areas as my spiritual home, a place of peace, solitude and inspiration. The Great Skellig is a steep island shooting straight up two hundred metres out of the Atlantic Ocean, standing aloof like a majestic stone palace that can be seen for miles around. I often find myself thinking about the Great Skellig in the middle of the ocean, tall, silent and rooted, whether the seas around it are calm or stormy. Life is the same, some days will be calm and others stormy, but to remember that the storms shall pass.’

The Eternal Rebels  Changemakers exhibition highlights the stories of two women who lived on Valentia Island – Helen Blackburn (1842 1903) a writer, suffragist and Feminist Campaigner for Women’s and Worker’s Rights and Maude Jane Delap (1866-1953), a pioneering Marine Biologist who had a sea anemone named after her, the ‘Edwardsia delapiae’, which she discovered in shallow sea waters on Valentia Island’s shores.

The Old Barracks is an ideal location for the Eternal Rebels Changemakers exhibition. The building is situated on an elevated site close to the bridge over the River Fertha in Cahersiveen. It is home to a permanent exhibition over three storeys which recounts the building’s remarkable history and that of the local region and includes the story of Daniel O’Connell (1775-1847), an Irish political leader, activist and nationalist known as the liberator. The building has views over the bay at Cahersiveen and out to Valentia island and was originally constructed between 1870 and 1875 as a police station for the Royal Irish Constabulary (RIC). 

Smashing Times are delighted to announce that eleven of the artworks highlighting the stories of women in history will remain on in the Barracks on permanent display. The women include Hanna Sheehy Skeffington (1877-1946), a radical activist, feminist, pacifist, human rights campaigner and one of Ireland’s foremost suffragettes; Dr Kathleen Lynn (1874-1955), a Medical Doctor, politician, feminist, suffragist, Republican and socialist; and Helena Molony (1884-1967), a Republican, feminist and labour activist

This exhibition is presented as part of Theatre in Palm supported by Creative Europe for the annual 2024 Arts and Human Rights festival. The exhibition was originally created as part of States of Independence – A Celebration of Change-Makers presented by Smashing Times International Centre for the Arts and Equality.

The change-makers whose stories feature in the exhibition are: 

1.Constance Markievicz (1868-1927)

Irish politician, revolutionary nationalist, suffragette and socialist

Photographic Artwork: Shadowland. Image by Mary Moynihan, 2023

2. Eva Gore-Booth (1870-1926)

Poet, writer, trade unionist, feminist, a campaigner for equality and social justice, and a sister of Irish revolutionary Countess Markievicz

Photographic Artwork: Sky at Night. Image by Mary Moynihan, 2023

3. Hanna Sheehy-Skeffington (1877-1946)

Radical activist, feminist, pacifist, human rights campaigner and one of Ireland’s foremost suffragettes

Photographic Artwork: Light. Image by Mary Moynihan, 2023

4. Dr Kathleen Lynn (1874-1955)

Medical Doctor, politician, feminist, suffragist, Republican and socialist

Photographic Artwork: Full Moon. Image by Mary Moynihan, 2023

5. Margaret Skinnider (1893-1971)

Revolutionary feminist and trade unionist

Photographic Artwork: Blues. Image by Mary Moynihan, 2023

6. Helena Molony (1884-1967)

Republican, feminist and labour activist

Photographic Artwork: Stay. Image by Mary Moynihan, 2023

7. Grace Evelyn Gifford (1888-1955)

Illustrator, caricaturist and supporter of Irish independence

Photographic Artwork: Darkness. Image by Mary Moynihan, 2023

8. Sarah Curran (1782-1808)

A true disciple of Mary Wollstonecraft and Robert Emmet’s clandestine lover

Photographic Artwork: Light. Image by Mary Moynihan, 2023

9. Helen Blackburn (1842-1903)

Writer, Suffragist and Feminist Campaigner for Women’s Rights and Worker’s Rights

Photographic Artwork: Across the Divide. Image by Mary Moynihan, 2023

10. Maude Jane Delap (1866-1953)

A pioneering Marine Biologist who had a sea anemone named after her, the ‘Edwardsia delapiae’, which she discovered in shallow sea waters on Valentia Island’s shores.

Photographic Artwork: Shoreline of Valentia Island. Image by Mary Moynihan, 2023

11. Mary Elmes (1908-2002)

Honored as ‘Righteous Among Nations’ for her work saving Jewish children from the Nazi gas chambers during World War II

Photographic Artwork: Haunting. Image by Mary Moynihan, 2023

12. The Pearse Women

Photographic Artwork: Escape. Image by Mary Moynihan, 2023

Mrs Margaret (Brady) Pearse (1857-1932). Political activist, politician and Dáil Deputy

Margaret Mary Pearse (1878-1968). Teacher, TD and Senator

Mary Brigid Pearse (1884-1947). Musician, teacher and author

13. James Connolly (1868-1916)

Trade Union leader, socialist, revolutionary, supporter of Irish freedom, worker’s rights and women’s rights

Photographic Artwork: Escape. Image by Mary Moynihan, 2023

14. Francis Sheehy-Skeffington (1878-1916)

Journalist, writer, radical activist, suffragette and pacifist

Photographic Artwork: Double Spirit. Image by Mary Moynihan, 2023

15. Joseph Mary Plunkett (1887-1916)

Irish nationalist, poet, journalist and a leader of the 1916 Rising in Ireland

Photographic Artwork: Glory. Image by Mary Moynihan, 2023

16. William Butler Yeats (1865-1939)

Poet, dramatist and writer

Photographic Artwork: Rock. Image by Mary Moynihan, 2023

17. Jack B. Yeats (1871–1957)

Painter and illustrator

Photographic Artwork: Life and Death.  Image by Mary Moynihan, 2023

18. Elizabeth ‘Lollie’ Yeats (1868-1940)

Artist, cultural entrepreneur, Froebel trained art teacher and publisher

Photographic Artwork: Hope by Mary Moynihan, 2023

Susan ‘Lily’ Yeats (1866-1949)

Artist, cultural entrepreneur, embroider

Photographic Artwork: Hope by Mary Moynihan, 2023

19. James Joyce (1882-1941)

Writer.

Photographic Artwork: Yesteryear. Image by Mary Moynihan, 2023

20. Lucia Joyce (1907-1982)

Dancer.

Photographic Artwork: To the end. Image by Mary Moynihan, 2023

21. Seán O’Casey (1880 – 1964)

Dramatist and politically active writer

Photographic Artwork: Darkly Calm. Image by Mary Moynihan, 2023

22. Augusta, Lady Gregory (1852-1932)

An Irish writer, dramatist, folklorist, and patron of the arts and a founding member of the Irish Literary Theatre (1899) and the Abbey Theatre founded in 1904 as Ireland’s national theatre

Photographic Artwork: Serenity. Image by Mary Moynihan, 2023

23. John Millington Synge (1871-1909)

Dramatist and writer and a leading figure in the Irish literary renaissance

Photographic Artwork: The Walk. Image by Mary Moynihan, 2023

Speaker Biographies:

Mary Moynihan MA

Writer of Novels, Poetry, Films, Plays

Creator of Art and Photography

Creative Reflections on Arts, Creativity, Equality, Leadership and Self-Esteem

Mary Moynihan, MA, she/her, is an award-winning author of novels, poetry, films and plays, and a creator of art and photography. Mary is from Dublin, Ireland. Mary embarked upon her award-winning career as a writer in theatre and film and has garnered much acclaim for her plays, poetry and short film scripts, and for creating interdisciplinary artworks combining writing and photography presented in galleries and online. She established and became Artistic Director of Smashing Times International Centre for the Arts and Equality and is Artistic Curator for the annual Dublin Arts and Human Rights festival. Mary has an honours BA in Drama and Theatre Studies from Trinity College Dublin and an honours Masters in Film Production from TU Dublin.

After raising four children, now  adults, Mary dedicated her time to becoming a writer. She writes fiction for young people and adults featuring stories of courage, laughter, tragedy, happiness, love, death and action-packed adventures. Mary is the author of a young adult fantasy novel Amergin and the Warriors of Zen. In her adult fiction, Mary’s characters are clever, fearless, vulnerable,  crazy, strong, and dangerous, looking for love, fun, success and happiness. Her work promises enthralling plots, dramatic lives, lots of laughs, serious flirting and sexual intrigue and insights into love, happiness, creativity and meaning in life.

Mary pens a series of articles titled Creative Reflections on Arts, Creativity, Leadership and Self-Esteem which appear in the Smashing Times International Centre for the Arts and Equality newsletter and on Mary’s website marymoynihan.ie

In her free time Mary loves to spend time with her four adult children and hang out with friends.  She swims in the sea all year round. She loves the ocean, sky and moon and has a spiritual connection to the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea, to the environs of Dublin bay and to the mystical landscapes of Valentia Island and the surrounding Iveragh peninsula in County Kerry, her spiritual home. She is a big fan of the Dublin Gaelic football and hurling teams.

Smashing Times

Mary is Artistic Director of Smashing Times International Centre for the Arts and Equality working collaboratively with artists and over fifty organisations across Ireland, Northern Ireland, Europe and internationally, using the arts to promote rights and values for all. Company patrons are Sabina Higgins; Joan Freeman, founder of Pieta House; Ger Ryan, actor and Tim Pat Coogan, writer and historian. Founding patrons were writers Maeve Binchy and Brian Friel.

Mary is Artistic Curator for the annual, international Dublin Arts and Human Rights festival implemented by Smashing Times and Front Line Defenders with Amnesty International, Fighting Words, ICCL, NWCI, Irish Modern Dance Theatre, Trócaire, Poetry Ireland and Irish Pen, and funded by The Arts Council. The festival highlights the extraordinary work of human rights defenders in Ireland and around the world, past and present, and the role of the arts and artists in promoting human rights today.

Awards

Mary’s work has won a number of awards, including the Allianz Business to Arts Special Judges DAA Arts Award at Bord Gáis Energy Theatre, the international and prestigious #ArtsAgainstCovid award from the Arts in Health International Foundation and an Arts Council Agility Award. Mary was awarded a Project Award from The Arts Council to write a new work with a range of collaborators titled The Feeling Soul, inspired by stories of women poets from ancient and modern Ireland.   

Writer of Novels, Poetry, Films and Plays

Mary is the author of the epic spoken word poem  ‘Ode to a Coolock Queen’’, written from a female perspective and exploring identity, gender, violence, passion, self-destruction and possible redemption. An attempt as Sylvia Plath says  ‘to be true to my own weirdnesses’. It is an oral storytelling narrative that is about a broader reflection on what it is to be born out of a working-class environment.  This poem is in homage to all people from working-class communities who find their strength and become their own kings and queens like warriors from an ancient past.

Mary is the author of a young adult fantasy novel Amergin and the Warriors of Zen. As a playwright, Mary’s work includes the highly acclaimed The Woman is Present: Women’s Stories of WWII co-written with Paul Kennedy, Fiona Thompson and Féilim James; Memorial Monologues: The Path of Memory; Tales of Love and Loss featuring two monologues selected by President Michael D Higgins for performance at Áras an Uachtaráin, Constance and Her Friends and Grace and Joe for performance in 2023; In One Breath from the award-winning Testimonies (co-written with Paul Kennedy); Shadow of My Soul and May Our Faces Haunt You.

Plays for children and young people include Gathering on the Pond, a comedy play on the environment by Mary Moynihan and Aoife Reilly;  Love the Earth by Mary Moynihan – A Change-Makers Storytelling session for ages 5 to 12 years adapted from three stories – The Water Princess, The Hummingbird, and The Salmon of Knowledge – from Goal’s Global Citizenship Education Resource; and Four Great Plays for Young Children, a series of short plays suitable for performance by children ages 5 to 12 years – The Children of Lir, The Three Bears, The Princess Play and Legend of the Dragon Kings.

Mary has a focus on using historical memory in her artistic practice as inspiration for the creation of original artworks. A number of her writings highlight stories of ordinary yet extraordinary women who stood up for the rights of others with a focus on the Holocaust, WWII and the revolutionary period in Irish history.

Mary’s documentary film work includes The Shoah: A Survivor’s Memory – The World’s Legacy, adapted from the writings of French woman Simone Veil (1927-2017), a French lawyer, politician and feminist, Holocaust survivor and first female President of the European Parliament; the creative documentary Women in an Equal Europe; the short film Letter to a Human Rights Defender based on words by Mary Lawlor, a Human Rights Defender, founder of Front Line Defenders and UN Ambassador on Human Rights Defenders; the hour-long documentary Stories from the Shadows reflecting on the arts in peacebuilding in Northern Ireland (co-directed with Mark Quinn);  You Matter, a filmed interview with social justice campaigner Dil Wickremasinhge and the short documentary Acting for the Future on the role of the arts to promote positive mental health and well-being and suicide prevention for Travellers in Ireland.

Keep in touch with Mary on:

Tel: + 00 353 (0) 87 7438722

Email: marymoynihanarts@gmail.com

Website: MaryMoynihan.ie

Follow Mary on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn

 

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