100 Years of Women in Politics and Public Life, 1918-2018
A major new national exhibition entitled Women in Politics and Public Life 1918 to 2018 – a Pop-Up Museum is set to go on display in County Roscommon at Áras an Chontae. The exhibition is part of the decade of centenaries programme of Roscommon County Council which explores 100 years of women’s participation in politics and public life. Roscommon is hosting the Connaught location of this important historical exhibition, which shines a spotlight on the stories of very familiar and lesser-known women including local figures, who have contributed significantly to Irish political and public life over the past century and on the challenges they faced and the obstacles they overcame.
The exhibition is a wonderful opportunity to encourage people of all ages to reflect upon the journey that this country has taken, particularly over the past 100 years but with an awareness also of the considerable work remaining to be done. Consisting of over 90 panels, the Aras an Chontae setting will be transformed
into the largest display held yet in this very public space and venue. Told with films, interviews, interactive objects and museum quality detail it promises to provide a wonderful mix of presentation elements that will encourage discussion, debate and analysis in ongoing exploration of our history. The exhibition has been curated by historian Dr Sinéad McCoole and supported by the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht/Commemorations Unit
and will be open to public daily Monday to Friday at Aras an Chontae, Roscommon from 10am to 5.00pm from Monday 15th July to Friday 11th October.
A number of structured/guided tours coinciding with other events in County Roscommon have been planned to promote awareness. These tours will take place during Heritage Week on Monday 19th & Wednesday 21st August, the County Roscommon Historical & Archaeological Society Lecture Series; Tuesday 17th September, on Culture Night Friday 20th September and prior to Douglas Hyde Conference on Thursday 26th September.
The Chief Executive of Roscommon County Council, Mr Eugene Cummins speaking in advance of the opening remarked.
We are both honoured and delighted to be in a position to host this major exhibition Women in Politics & Public Life 1918-2018 not only for people of Roscommon but as the Connaught regional venue. The scale and content of the exhibition is remarkable, with the use of mixed media in telling the stories of the achievement of women in such an accessible and interesting manner. I am delighted also the new Civic Offices building here in Roscommon Town will now become the focus for this exhibition not only as part of our decade of centenaries programme for 2019 but also demonstrating the use of the facility as much more than an administrative office but an important cultural venue and public space.
Roscommon County Council is delighted to announce that the exhibition will be formally launched on Wednesday 17th July at 6.30pm in Áras an Chontae, Roscommon by former President Mary McAleese with Cathaoirleach, Roscommon County Council, and Cllr Paschal Fitzmaurice.
All Welcome 
Further Info: Richie Farrell, Coordinator: Women in Politics & Public Life 1918-2018
PH:087-0556562
Email [email protected]
(All images: Courtesty of Ros Kavanagh for the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht)