In praise of powerful women

Another busy day and back off to Bandon for a talk by Karen Minihan about her book Extraordinary Ordinary Women 2 - remember I went the  launch on Friday? It was part of the Brigid Festival and followed by a short play based on one of the stories. This was half an hour of an absolutely blistering and powerful performance by Pauline O Driscoll as she related the (true) story of her two sons - one on each side of the dreadful Civil War and the heartbreak that ensued. When she finished there was a moment's stunned silence followed by everyone leaping to their feet to give her a standing ovation. We all needed a strong cuppa and this was followed by a panel discussion featuring five powerful women  chaired by Justine McCarthy and discussing just about everything from what would Brigid make of the world today, to environmental issues, to why so few women enter politics, to what should be being taught in schools, to the devastating effects of the combination of the new state and the Catholic church on the lives of women! There were a few brave men in the audience and they were applauded. As we emerged in the early evening, stimulated and challenged, the weekly vigil for Gaza was being held. Two women sang their tribute to Brigid which seemed very fitting. A lot of powerful women in Bandon today!  Note the Brigid crosses - and I think that's a teeny free library.