The essential role played by the women of Kerry during the revolutionary period in Ireland has been acknowledged and celebrated in Tralee.
A commemorative sculpture was unveiled in Tralee Town Park celebrating the contribution woman in Kerry played between 1912 and 1923.
The event heard that whether they took part in combat or contributed to a wide range of social, cultural and political activities and organisations, the stories of the women during this period was sidelined for too long.
The sculpture, titled ‘Spiorad Ban Chiarraí’ or ‘Spirit of the Kerry Women’ is the first of its kind in the country and the first ever to be commissioned by a local authority.
It came about following a proposal from the female elected members of Kerry County Council in 2023, they said that Kerry women of all ages played a role and helped shape a new Ireland.
The 2.5m sculpture, which is 100 inches in height, was completed by the award-winning Irish sculptor Elizabeth O’Kane and it’s located in Tralee Town Park.
Maisie Houlihan, a former Sinn Féin councillor, attended the event in honour of her family members who were members of Cumann na mBan.
She says it’s a proud day to see the women from the revolutionary period honoured:
Sinead Quilter also attended the event in honour of her mother Péigí Browne:
