New exhibition pays tribute to 12 women who had major impact on local government in Cork
Mary MacSwiney, sister of Terence McSwiney, was a major influence on local politics in Cork City. Picture: Topical Press Agency/Getty Images
Twelve women who have had a major impact on Cork local government are to be profiled in a new exhibition and a pending book.
is due to be published later this year, and an exhibition about the 12 notable women is currently running in Cork City Library on Grand Parade.
Authors Dr Aodh Quinlivan, Anne Twomey and John Ger O’Riordan, hope the book will have a general audience as well as being particularly relevant to school students.
The book begins with profiles of three women who did not serve on Cork Corporation/City Council but who paved the way for others.
Anna Haslam was a campaigner for women’s rights and a leading figure in the suffragette movement. Largely due to her persistent lobbying, women were included in key local government legislation in 1898 and 1911.
This allowed Susanne Rouviere Day — an Irish feminist, novelist, and playwright — to emerge as the first woman to contest an election for Cork Corporation in 1914, although she missed out on a seat by six votes.
Mary MacSwiney, sister of Terence McSwiney, was a famous figure in local and national politics. Elected to the Dáil in May 1921, she was a major influence on local politics in the city.
The first woman to win election to Cork Corporation was Anne Sutton in January 1920. Noted for her diligence and hard work, she served until June 1924 when she resigned her seat. Two months later, a public inquiry into the workings of the corporation led to its dissolution until 1929.
Jenny Dowdall was Cork’s first female lord mayor. Elected as first citizen in 1959, she was particularly active in the promotion of the cultural life of Cork.
Chrissie Aherne bridged a gap of 30 years in becoming the first woman since Jenny Dowdall to be elected lord mayor of Cork, in July 1989. The first grandmother to hold the office, her primary concerns during her term were unemployment and the lack of opportunities for Cork’s youth.
Deirdre Clune was elected lord mayor in 2005. During that year, Cork celebrated its prestigious status as a designated European Capital of Culture and Ms Clune was to the fore in promoting Cork as a vibrant and exciting city.
The first Labour Party woman to serve as Cork’s lord mayor was Catherine Clancy in 2013/2014. Her deputy lord mayor was party colleague, Lorraine Kingston. This was the first time in Cork City that the positions of lord mayor and deputy lord mayor were both held by women.
The following June, Ms Clancy presented the mayoral chain to Mary Shields. She was committed to working to ensure less partisan party politics in the council chamber to create a strong united approach on important Cork issues.
The latest women to serve as lord mayor was Deirdre Forde, elected in 2022. In her mayoral speech Ms Forde said her priorities for the year included driving the sustainability agenda, creating a "city for people", the promotion of the arts and furthering female participation in politics.
In 2014, Ann Doherty became the first woman appointed as chief executive of Cork City Council, with a tenure marked by innovation.
Ten years later, in 2024, Valerie O’Sullivan was appointed chief executive of Cork City Council.
