Revolutionary hero Markievicz the focus of special lecture
ONE of Ireland’s most fascinating historical figures was explored in great detail recently as biographer Anne Haverty presented a special talk on Constance Markievicz.
In terms of venues for such a talk, few could have been more appropriate that the Athenaeum - the very building which was the headquarters for local volunteers during the 1916 Rising.
Over 70 people filed into the historic hall for the event, organised by Enniscorthy Library, looking at Markievicz’s role as a romantic nationalist, committed politician and a real forebearer of the Irish Republic.
Anne pointed out that, while a romantic nationalist, Markievicz was more far-seeing and realistic than most. She was the first woman to be elected to the House of Commons, or to any parliament, and was selected time and again by the people in her under-privileged Dublin constituency to be their representative. She was the first woman to serve in cabinet, as minister for labour in the Dail. All this was interrupted by periods of imprisonment in Britain and here which broke her health.
Anne was delighted with the enthusiasm with which her lecture was received from the people of Enniscorthy and she had another connection with the town that was marked at the conclusion of the lecture. Anne is the wife of the renowned late Enniscorthy-born author and man of letters Anthony Cronin and Wexford County Council and the library service were delighted to mark the connection with a special presentation of a framed copy of the poem Mr Cronin wrote for the 2016 commemorations of the 1916 Rising, as well as the first article he wrote for The Echo.
Anne was delighted with the piece and thanked everyone at the Council, the library and those who came along on the night for making it such a special occasion.