The Dublin Festival of History is shining a spotlight on lesser-known women

Many women have played a part in Ireland's rich history.

Dublin's Festival of History will take place this month and this year it's looking to tip the scales of gender imbalance by shining a spotlight on lesser-known Irish women that made an impact throughout the history of the nation. From today until October 20, there will be more than 150 walks, talks, tours and exhibitions taking place across the city and all will be free to attend. If you want to check out a few of them, here are some of the highlights:

Women in the History of Science - City Hall, Dame Street, 2 October, 1pm

"Presented in association with the History of Science, Technology and Medicine Network Ireland, Jessamyn Fairfield, Rebecca O’Neill and Laura Finnegan discuss the awe-inspiring achievements of women in the history of science.

"Celebrating pioneering women scientists of the past both from Ireland and further afield, these three illustrated talks will include Dorothy Stopford Price, Maria Goeppert Mayer and Matilda Knowles."

 

On the Trail of Forgotten Women in Irish History - Kevin Street Library, 17 October, 6.30pm

"You might have heard of the father of modern chemistry Robert Boyle, but what of his brilliant elder sister Katherine Jones who was more famous than he was in the seventeenth century? Does the name Clotilde Graves ring a bell?

"The Cork-born writer was one of the first female journalists working on Fleet Street in London. Time travel with journalist and writer Clodagh Finn to discover some forgotten women in Irish history, from the Stone Age to the present."

 

Republic of Shame: Stories from Ireland’s Institutes for ‘Fallen Women’ - Printworks, Dublin Castle, 18 October, 8.30pm

"Journalist and author of new book Republic of Shame, Caelainn Hogan is joined by Sarah-Anne Buckley, lecturer in the Department of History at NUI Galway, and survivors of the Tuam mother-and-baby home to share the stories of ‘fallen women’ who were concealed, punished and exploited in Magdalene laundries. 

"Mortality rates in these institutions were high, and the discovery of a mass infant grave at the mother-and-baby home in Tuam made news all over the world. The Irish state has commissioned investigations, but for countless people, a search for answers continues."

For more information, check out here.