merrion street

Friday, 4 April, 2014: Jimmy Deenihan TD, Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, will this morning at 11.30 a.m. officially open the Women's History Association of Ireland Conference marking the foundation of Cumann na mBan, in the National Museum of Ireland, Collins Barracks, Dublin.

This Conference is organised to mark the Centerary of the foundation of Cumann na mBan, and is the culmination of a number of commemorative events held this week. The inception of Cumann na mBan and the role that women were to play in the struggle for independence has not always been given due prominence, and it is hoped that this conference will redress this somewhat.

Speaking at the Conference launch, Minister Deenihan said:

"It is right that we pause to pay tribute to the past, and in particular that we accord full honours to the many women of Cumann na mBan who were, to various extents, airbrushed out of history – sometimes even literally, as we know. I have been pleased to be a part of the arrangements for this important centenary and the series of events that began with ceremony led by the President in Glasnevin on Wednesday and which continued last night with the unveiling of a commemorative plaque at Wynn's Hotel. This two day conference will add greatly to our understanding of the period and of the role played by the members of Cumann na mBan in the foundation of the state."