We’re coming together with Roe & Co Irish Whiskey to mark all of the wonderful women in Irish history and raise a toast to celebrate International Women’s Day which is globally celebrated on Sunday 8th March.

In participating Press Up venues (Restaurants & Selected Bars) you can raise a glass to these wonderful women and enjoy a delicious Roe & Co Irish Whiskey serve for only €8; available Friday 6th – Sunday 8th March 2020.

Venues include: Angelina’s, Doolally, Isabelle’s, Layla’s, Mackenzie’s, Roberta’s, Ryleigh’s, Sophie’s, The Grayson, Tomahawk, Lucky Duck, Liquor Rooms & Americana Bar

Stand in awe of all Mná

Mná Meath Street is a street art programme on Meath Street celebrating some pivotal women from history and from The Liberties. Supported by Roe & Co Distillery, a number of prominent streets artists including EPOCH, Katherine Rupit and Fink are transforming shutters along the street with tributes to inspirational, historic female residents. Among the personalities to look out for are: revolutionary Constance Markievicz, the first women elected to the UK House of Commons, Pimlico resident  and housing activist Madge Fagan, local historian and author of Around the Banks of Pimlico, Mairin Johnson, and Kathleen O’Connor, a local florist whose family has been trading for five generations on Meath Street.

MADGE FAGAN

Artist: Emmalene Blake

Shop: Legit Coffee Co

Madge (Margaret) Fagan, was one of the first women to embrace social activism on behalf of her community. From Pimlico in Dublin, Fagan advocated for the rights of local authority tenants for over 50 years. She was a founding member of the Marrowbone Lane Tenants Association in 1966, which in turn played a key role in the formation of the National Association of Tenants’ Organisations.

MÁIRÍN JOHNSTON

Artist: Fink

Shop: Norton’s Greengrocer

Máirín Johnston, born and raised in The Liberties, was a core member of the Irish Women’s Liberation Movement. On May 22nd, 1971 she led a group of 47 women to Belfast to purchase contraceptives which were still banned in the South. Johnston also brought International Women’s Day to Ireland in 1976 after hearing about the movement in Berlin. She is also an author who famously wrote ‘Around the Banks of Pimlico’. Today, Máirín lives in Leixlip.

ANNE DEVLIN

Artist: EPOCH

Shop: C&N Meats

Anne Devlin was an Irish revolutionary remembered for her unparalleled loyalty to Robert Emmet, the leader of the 1803 Irish fight for freedom. Following her release from Kilmainham Gaol in 1806, Devlin settled in The Liberties where she lived with her husband William Campbell. Throughout her life, Devlin played several roles including a fearless revolutionary, a working woman, a wife and mother of four.

A TRIBUTE TO KATHLEEN O’CONNOR AND THE LIBERTIES TRADERS

Artist: EPOCH

Shop: St Vincent de Paul

One of Dublin’s most historic neighbourhoods, The Liberties is a sea of on-street market stalls selling everything from clothes and shoes to food and antiques. It’s the everyday hustle and bustle of the traders that attributes to the unique atmosphere of the area. Local florist, Kathleen O’Connor, adds a pop of colour to the Meath Street landscape. Kathleen’s family has been trading in the neighbourhood for five generations.

CONSTANCE MARKIEVICZ

Artist: Kathrina Rupit

Shop: Catherine’s Café and Bakery

Constance Markievicz was an Irish politician, revolutionary, nationalist, suffragist and socialist who was instrumental in the 1916 Easter Rising. In 1918, she was the first woman elected to the UK House of Commons, though she did not take her seat and, along with other TDs, formed the first Dáil Éireann. She was subsequently elected Minister for Labour, becoming the first female cabinet minister in Europe. Markievicz represented the Dublin St. Patrick’s constituency which included The Liberties.

Why not take a walk through the Liberties this weekend and discover all of the wonderful street art dedicated to these hero Irish women.