Venue 

Day and date 

Time l cost

Local Interest Programme;

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Extraordinary, Ordinary Women (23mins) & Home Rules (28mins)

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Two short film screenings followed by a Q&A with author Karen Minihan 

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Ordinary women in West Cork played a huge role during the War of Independence and the Civil War. 'Extraordinary, Ordinary Women' is a short documentary based on Karen Minihan's book of the same name.  The documentary focuses on four women from the book who lived throughout West Cork, from Ardgroom on the Beara peninsula through to Clonakilty. Presented by Karen, she interviews living relatives of the women.

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Ellen Holland from Clonakilty, devoted most of her time to the National movement, along with her sisters Mary and Margaret set up the Letter Branch of Cumann na mBan.

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Rose O’Connell from Main Street, Skibbereen, owned a prominent butchers shop. Reddy O’Regan, Rose’s grandson speaks about Rose’s sons who disagreed and fell out over which side to take during the War.

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May O’Driscoll from Skeaghnore, was a secretary of her local Cumann na mBan branch. From carrying dispatches for the IRA to home nursing May’s life was certainly impacted by her contribution to the cause.

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Bridget Nobel from Ardgroom from a mixed marriage was one of three women known to be killed by the IRA during the War of Independence.

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Home Rules, is a short play that accompanies the collection of untold stories from the founding of the state, performed by accomplished actor, Pauline O’Driscoll.
Pauline brings her compelling presence to the poignant role of a mother navigating her family and business through the War and striking a deal between her two sons who take different sides on the issue of the Treaty.

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