Jennie Wyse Power, who was born in Baltinglass in 1858, is an icon of revolutionary Ireland.
A two-day programme to celebrate political activist Jennie Wyse Power’s connection to County Wicklow and her contribution to the Irish State will be held in Baltinglass starting on November 17th.
The programme features opportunities to hear more about Jennie in various ways, appealing to those with an existing knowledge and interest in local history and to those who have never heard of Jennie before or understood her connection to Baltinglass.
Jane ‘Jennie’ Wyse Power (nee O’Toole) was born in Baltinglass, County Wicklow, on 1st May 1858 and would go on blaze a trail as a pioneering politician and campaigner for women’s rights. She was a key figure in revolutionary Ireland as a founder of Inghinidhe na hÉireann and much later, Sinn Fein.
Cathaoirleach of Wicklow County Council, Cllr Aoife Flynn Kennedy, stated: “Jennie Wyse Power was an admirable character with a vision well ahead of her times. We feel privileged that we can celebrate a trailblazing woman born in County Wicklow and her contribution to Irish history.”
Wicklow County Council Chief Executive, Emer O’Gorman, also welcomed the latest programme, saying: “Wicklow County Council is delighted to be able to highlight and celebrate the legacy of Jennie Wyse Power in an accessible contemporary way with lots of opportunities for the public to participate in creative workshops and hear her story a decade after she lived.
Places for our workshops are limited and will be allocated on a first come, first served basis.
The Programme is curated by Wicklow County Arts Office presented as part of Creative Places Baltinglass and supported through the Decade of Centenaries Programme (2012 – 2023) funded by the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media. With thanks to Wicklow County Council Library Service and Archives and Heritage Officers.
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