‘Fighting women’ feature in Belfast art exhibition by Donegal artist
Artist and community activist Dr Andrea Redmond has brought the exhibition titled Goddesses and Fighting Women to Féile an Phobail in Belfast
Donegal artist and community activist Dr Andrea Redmond has brought an exhibition titled Goddesses and Fighting Women to Féile an Phobail in Belfast.
A play of words on the title of Augusta Gregory’s book, Gods And Fighting Men,the exhibition,focuses on themes relating to Donegal, depicting portraits of female figures out of the County’s distant and ancient history including legendary women such as Geal Chossach, who was known as "the white-legged" Druid of Inis Eoghain, and Biróg another female Druid/sorceress tied to northern Donegal.
Goddess and saintly figures also are depicted such as St Bridget and the Cailleach.
Her fighting women include those that have worked and lobbied for Donegal cultural and political rights, which includes a number of women active in Cumann namBan from the Duchoraidh, Annagry and Lettermacaward areas, during the War of Independence and Civil War, including Eithne Coyle.
Dr Redmond said her aim “was to ensure that we honour these women’s contributions to our local history”.
“So often their story is forgotten or in some cases they have been erased completely.
“Many active members of Cumann na mBan fought to receive pensions from the State, like their male counterparts, however unlike their male comrades, only to be denied. I have met families whose loved ones received medals for their valour, and had no idea their loved ones played a crucial role in Irish history,” she noted.
A particularly poignant story is that of Bridget Boyle, sister to noted Republican Con Boyle.
Bridget was an active member of Cumann na mBan and was incarcerated in Doochary/Duchoraidh jail for many weeks.
Such was her ill treatment that she died relatively young because of it. Her portrait is included in the Belfast exhibition.
Dr Redmond is a political muralist, who painted her first mural in 1983 in Belfast.
The exhibition continues in Belfast until August 9. She also has paintings on display at the Mary of Dungloe arts exhibition and the artist’s trail of windows in the town.
Her hope is to expand the exhibition with a one-woman solo show in the near future and wishes to depict other local women and urges family members to get in touch if they wish to have their loved ones included.