Latest news with #ConstanceMarkievicz
RTÉ News
11 hours ago
- 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…'
