Latest news with #ConstanceMarkievicz
BreakingNews.ie
19-07-2025
- Entertainment
- BreakingNews.ie
Eva Gore-Booth: The overlooked sister of Constance Markievicz
Constance Markievicz, also known as Countess Markievicz, has been solidified as an extremely important figure in Irish history. An Irish revolutionary nationalist politician, suffragist, and socialist, Markievicz was the first woman elected to the Parliament of the United Kingdom. Advertisement She was a founding member of Fianna Éireann, Cumann na mBan, and the Irish Citizen Army. She also took part in the Easter Rising in 1916, and sexism worked in her favour as she was spared execution just for being a woman. She is well-known to most Irish people, and is seen as a leading figure in the fight for Irish independence and social reform. Constance's younger sister Eva Gore-Booth is not half as well-known as her. But her achievements are impressive too. The EPIC Irish Emigration Museum said Gore-Booth is "an icon of suffrage, trade unionism, nationalism and LGBTQ+ defiance". Advertisement So, who was Eva Gore-Booth? Compared to Constance, who is reported to have been wiley, strong-willed and vocal, Eva was quieter, graceful, and empathetic. According to their governess, Eva was 'always so delicate' and often let her older sister overshadow her. EPIC said Gore-Booth was by no means a passive person, despite not minding blending quietly into the background. "She was deeply passionate, a fact that is probably most evident in her poetry and she was a fierce campaigner for women's rights, worker's rights and animal rights throughout her life." Advertisement Gore-Booth is said to have fell in love with folk-telling and Irish lore, and became a poet when Constance left for France to study art. "Eva herself travelled, although her home was still in Sligo," EPIC said. "That was until she met English suffragist and social justice campaigner Esther Roper. Whilst travelling in 1896, Gore-Booth fell ill and moved to Bordighera in Italy to recover. "It was here that she met Esther Roper, who was also recovering from an illness. The two fell hopelessly in love." Advertisement This is where Gore-Booth's status as an icon of LGBTQ+ defiance starts. In a time where being gay was a punishable crime, Eva Gore-Booth and Esther Roper defied societal norms by being openly devoted to each other. "Gore-Booth returned to Sligo and Roper to Manchester in 1897. They were barely apart for a few months when Gore-Booth uprooted her aristocratic life to live in Manchester with Roper," EPIC said. The museum said Gore-Booth's queer relationship had no effect on her relationship with Constance. Advertisement Eva and Constance. Photo: Lissadell House "Constance was very fond of Roper too, writing that 'Esther is wonderful, and the more one knowns her, the more one loves her'. "Roper and Gore-Booth came from completely different worlds. Roper's parents were working-class Irish immigrants, her father was a factory hand who moved to England during the industrial revolution. "Roper was a highly intelligent child and became the first woman to graduate from the University of Manchester. "Her compassion for working class women and her activism for the causes of suffrage and labour rights further inspired Gore-Booth to become involved in those social causes herself." Women's suffrage, Irish independence, and death During her brief return to Sligo, Eva Gore-Booth called the first women's suffrage meeting in a local hall in December 1896. Though the meeting was scoffed at by new outlets at the time, EPIC said Eva was far from deterred from supporting the cause of suffrage. An article in Vanity Fair stated how the 'three pretty daughters of Sir Henry Gore-Booth are creating a little excitement… supported by a few devoted yokels', never anticipating how the Gore-Booth sisters would create much more than a 'little excitement' in society. "Esther Roper lit the fire in Eva Gore-Booth that ignited a life-long devotion to social causes. Eva's poetry is often politically charged, poems like The Anti-Suffragist being a short but particularly scathing commentary on those who turn a blind-eye to injustice," EPIC said. "Though Eva was living abroad, she never forgot her ties to the Ireland, being outspoken in favour of Irish Independence. "When Constance Markeivicz was captured in 1916, Gore-Booth and Roper smuggled themselves into a Dublin on lock-down to visit her in Kilmainham Gaol. "Following her release from Aylesbury Prison, the couple met her and brought her back to their London home at 33 Fitzroy Square, which became known as a hub of Irish Nationalism in London." In the 1920s, it was found that Eva Gore-Booth had terminal colon cancer. She begged Roper to keep it from Constance and it was Roper's brother and Roper herself that cared for Eva in her final days. "She passed in 1926, the news coming as a shock to Constance, who was too bereft to attend the funeral," EPIC said. "She herself died a year later in 1927, arguably of a broken heart, though not before writing in a letter to a friend that she was 'so glad that Eva and [Esther] were together. So thankful that her love was with Eva until the end'. "Esther Roper died in 1938 and is buried with Eva Gore-Booth in London. The inscription on their headstone is 'Life with Love is God'."
RTÉ News
09-06-2025
- Entertainment
- RTÉ News
On This Week: Bowie heads Slane and a 1-0 win over England
On This Week: Irish Moments from History (9th - 15th June) Welcome to On This Week, where we delve into the standout stories from the years gone by, featuring standout news stories, major sporting events, and pop culture highlights that helped shape Irish life. Here's your dose of Irish nostalgia from 9th - 15th June. This Week In Irish News 1971: Henry Street takes first steps towards pedestrianisation Henry Street, Dublin's busiest shopping street, was opened as a pedestrianised street for a four-week period. It was the first of its kind in the city, with trees, plants, and park benches in the middle of the road. The street would be permanently pedestrianised in 1982. 1997: Mary Robinson becomes UN's High Commissioner For Human Rights Mary Robinson was appointed as the UN's High Commissioner for Human Rights. She was endorsed for the position by the outgoing government under Taoiseach John Bruton. She resigned from the office of President a month later, before her term was to finish, to take the role, which she continued until 2002. This Week In Irish Sports 1987: Stephen Roche wins Giro d'Italia Stephen Roche became the first Irishman to win the Giro d'Italia. The victory didn't come easily. Despite orders from his team, Roche rode ahead of teammate Visentini to take the race lead. For the remaining stages, he had to battle with his own team, the Italian press and the Italian public to win it. Roche became the second of three cyclists to win the Triple Crown of victories within one year, which also included the Tour De France and the World Championships. 1988: Ireland beat England 1-0 In Euro 1988 Ireland marked its first match in a major soccer championship tournament with a 1-0 win against England. In the group stages of the Euro 1988 tournament, Ireland faced England in Stuttgart, Germany. Ray Houghton found the net in six minutes to secure Ireland's victory. This Week In Irish Entertainment 1987: David Bowie heads Slane Concert David Bowie marked his first time playing in Ireland by headlining the Slane Castle concert. He brought his band over as part of the 'Glass Spider Tour' and was supported by Aslan, Big Country, and The Groove. 2024: Kid rappers release viral hit The Spark as single Viral song The Spark, which features the talents of young rappers from Cork and Clare, was released as a single. The song was a hit online, receiving over 350 million views in three weeks. It was made in two days as part of Cruinniú na nÓg, Europe's only national free day of creativity for young people. The children performing are from the Kabin Crew in Knocknaheeny, North Cork and the Lisdoonvarna Crew in Clare. This Week In Irish Culture 1967: Countess Constance Markievicz remembered in Rathmines A plaque in memory of Countess Constance Markievicz is unveiled at her former home in Rathmines. The house was an unofficial meeting point for Na Fianna Éireann, an Irish nationalist youth organisation founded by Bulmer Hobson and Constance Markievicz in 1909. Countess Markievicz was deeply committed to feminism, republicanism, and socialism. She became the first woman elected to the House of Commons and the first female TD in Dáil Éireann. She also served as Minister for Labour in the first Dáil Éireann government. 2021: Ireland's first clock museum opens in Waterford The National Museum of Time, Ireland's first horological museum opened in Waterford city. The museum is dedicated to clocks and watches dating back hundreds of years in some cases, and is located in a refurbished church at Greyfriars in Waterford's Viking Triangle. Along with the oldest Irish clocks, the museum also has pieces from around the world, including from the US, UK, France, Austria, Switzerland, and Japan. What was Number 1 in Ireland This Week? 1984: 'Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go' by Wham! Written and produced by George Michael, the Iconic hit became the band's first UK and US number one. 1992: 'Jump' by Kris Kross The hip-hop duo achieved international success, topping charts in the US, Ireland, Australia, and Canada. 2000: 'Gotta Tell You' by Samantha Mumba Mumba's debut single was a hit internationally, spending 22 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 in the US. Irish Celebrities Celebrating Birthdays This Week Stephanie Roche (36) Former Irish footballer who played for the Republic of Ireland and Shamrock Rovers. Mairead McGuinness (66) Former vice-president of the European Parliament. Gary Lightbody (49) Lead singer of the alt-rock band Snow Patrol. Other Irish Trivia From This Week 1986: Birth number 39 for Ireland's oldest cow Big Bertha makes news around the world after successfully completing her 39th pregnancy at home in County Kerry. The cow went on to hold two Guinness World Records, as the oldest cow recorded - she passed away at the age of 48 years and 9 months - and for lifetime breeding, having produced 39 calves. Looking Ahead Each Monday, On This Week will bring you a mix of stories from the last 75 years, to celebrate Volkswagen's 75 year anniversary, featuring the big news stories, sporting highlights and major pop culture moments. Volkswagen has been part of those unforgettable moments - driving families to milestones, memories, and moments that matter. Join us every week as we look back at the moments of yesteryear.
Irish Post
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Post
Complexities of Irish identity explored in double bill on London stage
TWO new plays which explore the complexities of Irish identity will make their London debut next week. Green Curtain Theatre will showcase Call Yourself an Irishman – A Personal Journey and The Irish Countess: Echoes of a Soul in south London as part of the Wandsworth Arts Fringe Festival 2025. In Call Yourself an Irishman, Declan Duffy reflects on the experiences of second and third-generation Irish people. 'Born in West London to Irish parents from Cavan, Declan's life was steeped in Irish culture - from the customers in his family's pub to football dads, Catholic school friendships, and summer trips to Ireland,' the theatre company explains. 'In this humorous yet deeply reflective solo performance, he weaves his memories into a rich tapestry of storytelling—complete with song,' they add. Their second production, while different in style, keep conversations about identity at its core. In The Irish Countess: Echoes of a Soul, the audience is introduced to the extraordinary story of Countess Constance Markievicz. Although born into Anglo-Irish privilege, Markievicz chose to stand with Ireland's revolutionary movement, which ultimately led to her becoming the first woman elected to British parliament. 'Her journey—from the Gaelic revival to the Easter Rising and the struggle for Irish independence—raises questions that still resonate today,' the theatre company claims. Played by Green Curtain Theatre director Anne Curtis, the play sees Markievicz reflecting on the defining choices that shaped her life. 'It might seem surprising to present these two pieces together,' says Curtis, 'but identity is at the heart of both stories.' She explains: 'While Constance Markievicz made a radical, life-changing decision, many second and third-generation Irish people face their own, quieter moments of reflection. 'Do they feel more British, more Irish, or something in between? 'How does heritage shape their sense of self? 'In very different ways, these plays explore that question, showing how personal identity can be influenced by history, family, and the choices we make.' Call Yourself an Irishman runs at St Boniface's Church Function Suite, 185 Mitcham Road, London SW17 9PG on Saturday, June 7 at 3pm and 6.45pm and on Sunday, June 8 at 3pm. The Irish Countess: Echoes of a Soul will run at the same venue on Saturday, June 7 at 5pm and on Sunday, June 8 at 5pm. For further details and bookings click here. See More: Green Curtain Theatre Company, Ireland, Irish Identity
Irish Independent
12-05-2025
- Sport
- Irish Independent
Hannah Quinn-Mulligan: I'd like to think Michael Collins would tog out in a skort to expose our camogie hypocrisy
Why does a double standard still exist between men's and women's games that we consider intrinsic to our culture and identity? Today at 11:00 It could be naivety, but, as a child, what struck me most about the fight for Irish independence was the idealism. I loved the zeal and passion that seemed to emanate from the characters in the history books fighting not just for a free Ireland but for a better nation for everyone. Two of the characters who inspired the most admiration were Constance Markievicz, the first woman elected to the House of Westminster (though she never took her seat) and Hannah Sheehy-Skeffington, the suffragette who went on hunger strike and was force-fed in prison. It felt like Irish women were as much a part of this fight as the men. That seemed obvious to me from the opening words of Pádraig Pearse on the steps of the GPO during the Easter, when he addressed 'Irishmen and Irishwomen…'
