Leading historians for seminar on centenary of women's suffrage

This year is the centenary of Irish women winning the right to vote. Women voted for the first time in the general election of December 1918 though they had to be over thirty years of age and landowners to be eligible to do so. It is also the 100th anniversary of the election of Ireland’s first female Member of Parliament, Countess Markievicz.

In commemoration of these historic events, Meath County Council and the Library Service, in association with Pegasus Consulting, are to host RTÉ broadcaster and historian Myles Dungan with a team of Ireland’s most sought after historians with a seminar on 'The Changing Lives and Roles of Mná na hÉireann in the early years of the 20th Century'. This event is part-funded by the Department of Culture, Heritage & the Gaeltacht under the Decade of Centenaries Local Legacies Programme 2018.
The seminar opens with Myles Dungan of the History Show addressing 'Misogyny in Revolutionary Ireland'. Author and historian Liz Gillis will speak on 'Women of the Revolution'. Ms Gillis also works as a researcher on the History Show on RTÉ Radio 1. Kate O’Malley, historian with the Royal Irish Academy and author of several works, will broaden the theme to explore 'Irish Revolutionary Women and the Wider World'. Catriona Crowe, former head of special projects at the National Archives of Ireland and acknowledged expert on women in Irish history, will address 'Hammer and Pen – The Women’s Revolution'.
Jackie Maguire, chief executive of Meath County Council says: “We are delighted to honour the achievements of women in Irish public office while being conscious of the struggles that women had both to win the right to vote and to put themselves forward for public roles. 
“It is one of the best aspects of the Decade of Centenaries that the role of women in 20th century history is coming to the fore and being acknowledged and celebrated. I look forward to a thought-provoking conference and to the interesting debate it will give rise to.”
The seminar takes place in Buvinda House, Meath County Council’s new headquarters, on Saturday 17th November from 9.30am to 2.30pm. The event is free of charge but booking to secure a place is essential. 
Delegates wishing to attend should reserve a place by emailing libraryhq@meathcoco.ie or phoning Library Headquarters at 046-9097370. Brochures are available in all Meath libraries.