The Mayor to Launch a New Exhibition on the Women of 1916

The Mayor of Waterford, Cllr. Adam Wyse will launch Mná 1916-Women 1916, a special touring exhibition featuring previously unseen material from private and public collections, at 11am on Saturday August 20th in Central Library, Lady Lane, Waterford City.  Also speaking on the morning is author and historian Sinéad McCoole who curated the exhibition.

Mná 1916-Women 1916 is an initiative of the Ireland 2016 Centenary Programme.  The exhibition brings together previously unseen material documenting the 300 women involved in the Rising.  It is on a nationwide tour following a three week run at Dublin Castle.

As well as the familiar faces of those involved in the events of 1916, Mná 1916 brings many new stories to light in a unique and powerful way.  While there is a focus on women who took part in the Rising, the exhibition also seeks to give a fuller understanding of the complex history of Ireland at that time.

Waterford City & County Librarian Jane Cantwell, who is coordinating the Waterford Ireland 2016 Programme, said that the Library service is delighted to welcome Sinéad McCoole to speak at the Waterford launch:

"Sinéad and her team have created an important exhibition telling the fascinating stories of 300 women who played a part in 1916.  On behalf of the Waterford 1916 Commemoration Committee, we are delighted to host this exhibition in Waterford during this centenary year.  Visitors to the exhibition can explore this remarkable variety of previously unseen items, from personal objects, images and documentation, to newly digitized birth, death, marriage and census records.  This exhibition is a very welcome part of our programme of events commemorating 1916 throughout Waterford City and County."

Exhibition curator Sinéad McCoole, who is looking forward to visiting Waterford explains:

"'State assets' and 'national treasures' are often terms used about items of great value, big houses with demesne and gold objects - this centenary year in this exhibition we have been able to use assets and treasures of a different sort dating to 1916 from the national collections, from libraries, archives, museums all over the country.  The assistance of curators, archivists, historians and local studies librarians has made this exhibition possible.  Online resources and digitizing of documents and images meant that this would not have been possible a decade ago."

All are welcome to attend.  The exhibition runs until Saturday September 10th 2016, during normal library opening hours, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 10am-5.30pm, Wednesday 10am-8pm and Saturday 10am-1pm and 2pm -5.30pm.

Venue: Central Library, Lady Lane, Waterford City.

Date:   Saturday August 20th 2016

Time:  11am