The end to the Christmas season in Ireland occurs on the sixth of January the official final day of the twelve days of this Christian celebration. In many rural parts of Ireland, particularly in the west this day was traditionally dedicated to allowing women to finally rest, recover and enjoy one another’s company at the end of a period when so much was expected of them. In 2021 as the world begins to look to a much hoped for end to the global Covid 19 Pandemic it seems appropriate to acknowledge the pivotal role women have played in supporting their families and communities at such a challenging time.
About the organiser
Aine de Paor has been organising Irish cultural events of a distinctly female flavour for many years now. In 2016, Aine a long-term Bondi resident, organised a multi faceted event that took place in the iconic Bondi Pavillion. 'Women, Dreamers and Ireland’s Rising' was an extravaganza of Pop Up Theatre, film, music and informative talks that allowed audiences to celebrate and mark the contribution of women to Ireland’s Independence struggle. More recently in February of last year Aine gathered a tribe of feminist performers and artists to celebrate Brigid 2020 at the State Library of New South Wales, the Gaelic Club and the Powerhouse Arts Centre in Casula. Aine was subsequently invited to offer a program to mark International Women’s Day 2020 at the Irish Embassy in Canberra.
The Artists
Anne Casey
A journalist, magazine editor, legal author and media communications director for 30 years, Anne Casey is an award-winning Irish poet/writer and scholarship PhD researcher living in Australia. Author of two collections, with two further books forthcoming in 2021, her work is widely published internationally, ranking in leading national daily newspaper, The Irish Times' Most Read. Anne has won/shortlisted for awards in Ireland, Northern Ireland, the USA, the UK, Canada, Australia and Hong Kong.
Julie McFarland
Following a long career as an English teacher and lecturer in Education, Julie McFarland now works as a museum registrar. She has enjoyed connecting to her Irish heritage in recent years by contributing to many Irish themed events as an interviewer, reader, and vocalist.
Gabrielle Carey
Gabrielle Carey is a non-fiction writer and author of ten books. Her essay 'Waking Up with James Joyce' was included in the Notable Essays list in Best American Essays 2019. For the past 17 years she has co-ordinated Sydney's only Finnegans Wake reading group. Her most recent book is Only Happiness Here , published in October 2020, by University of Queensland Press.
Rosie McDonald
Rosie McDonald is an established performer with past groups Mothers of Intention, Folklore, and currently Trippy Hippy band , RAPT quartet, Celtic band -Seanchas and with partner, Bluegrass mandolinist, Nigel Lever.
Rosie has been involved in productions with Aine de Paor since 2016 including 'Women dreamers- Irish rising centenary,' and Bridget 2019 and 2020 concerts and has recently recorded a CD with Cliona Molins-Harpist, with songs about the women from the Parramatta Female factory bicentenary- due for release in February 2021.
Jade Tinkler
Jade Tinkler began her musical life as a flautist within the “Western Art Music” tradition. She holds a Masters degree in orchestral conducting and has performed as both a conductor and as a flautist from Hobart to Brisbane and in London. Jade was the youngest Australasian competitor selected to work with the Sydney Symphony and Lorin Maazel in the Australasian round of the prestigious Maazel-Villar competition.
In recent years Jade has been drawn to exploring the heritage, conventions and possibilities of the traditional Irish wooden flute. Jade has written a number of “trad” reels, jigs and airs drawing on the Irish musical tradition, many of which have been performed by her trio Witches Leap. Jade’s compositions are imbued with a lyrical freshness and originality while still drawing deeply from the rich well of Irish music, with an authenticity that upholds the trad style.
Jacqueline McPhee
Jacqueline is a singer, classically trained violinist, and Celtic harpist. Born and raised in Belfast, Northern Ireland, educated in Scotland, and now settled in Australia she blends these heritages to tell human stories through song and is known for her emotive and ethereal singing style. Her past performances range from playing in national level orchestras in concert halls to intimate gigs, weddings and Irish music sessions. Recent activities include creating original arrangements of well known traditional songs for an ABC podcast, The History Listen and collaborating with Irish-Australian musician Cliona Molins on projects that tell the untold stories of women in history including the Courageous Girl song and songs of the Parramatta Female Factory.
Tickets are $25.00 (plus booking fee)