Decade of Centenaries – Local Legacies Remembered

A Decade of Centenaries Exhibition

Local Legacies Remembered is a commissioned project to commemorate the Decade of Centenaries in South Dublin County. It is a collaboration between the Decade of Centenaries Artist in Residence, Eva Kelly, and Historian in Residence Liz Gillis.

The idea of illustration as a visual essay is the focus of Eva’s work and through this residency, she looked at documenting aspects of South Dublin life and culture, offering a new perspective in a visual form. In collaboration with our Historian in Residence, Liz Gillis, she focused on the experiences of women from South Dublin County during the revolutionary period, and inspired by their stories, this exhibition highlights the changing role of women in society at the time.

These women all played a vital role in shaping the history and culture of South Dublin County, and indeed of Ireland, during this period. From Mrs. Pearse and Margaret Mary Pearse who sought to maintain the legacy of their sons and brothers and entered politics, as well as fundraising for the upkeep of St. Enda’s. Following the wishes of her mother, Margaret Mary Pearse bequeathed St. Enda’s to the people of Ireland, something from which we all continue to benefit. Ita O’Gorman and Josie Stallard, who were active members of Cumann na mBan during the War of Independence. Katharine Tynan and her sister Nora Tynan O’Mahony, May Guinness and Mary Brigid Pearse who were hugely influential in the world of the arts.

The exhibition is supported by the Decade of Centenaries Programme from the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts Gaeltacht, Sport and Media. The arts are a vital part of centenary commemorations as the interpretation of historical events by artists and creative practitioners provides us with different perspectives on the events of the past, perhaps offering us an opportunity to reconsider our own views.