Tralee reveals ‘Spirit of the Kerry Women’ statue honouring women of revolutionary period

The 2.5m bronze sculpture in Tralee honours the contribution and sacrifice of women during Ireland's struggle for independence, in what is believed to be a first for a local authority

Kerry County Councillors Angie Baily, Norma Moriarty, Aoife Thornton, Deirdre Ferris, Maura Healy-Rae and Marie Moloney unveiling a commemorative sculpture to the contribution by Kerry women during the revolutionary period in Ireland between 1912 and 1923 in Tralee Town Park. Picture: Don MacMonagle

Kerry County Council has become the first local authority in the State to unveil a statue dedicated to the women of the revolutionary period from 1912 to 1923, following a cross-party motion brought forward by five female councillors three years ago.

Standing 2.5m high in Tralee Town Park, beside the Ashe Memorial Hall, the bronze sculpture, Spirit of the Kerry Women (Spiorad Ban Chiarraí), depicts a woman striding forward while clutching the tricolour.

Sculptor Elizabeth O'Kane, who won the commission, said she wanted to create an image that was “brave, courageous and defiant” — a woman marching forward with confidence, reflecting the past while looking firmly towards the future.

Women also paid a heavy price during the revolutionary period, facing beatings, sexual harassment, and the burning of their homes.

Historian Mary McAuliffe said many had been taught to remain silent and carried their experiences with them for decades.

“They had been trained, and trained themselves, to keep silent. They kept the secrets,” she said.

Ms McAuliffe argued women's contributions were overlooked not only because much of the history was written by men, but also because the emerging Free State promoted a domestic ideal of womanhood.

“The image of the fighting woman was not acceptable,” she said.

Historian and Kerry County Council archivist Owen O'Shea said the experiences of women during the struggle for independence had been overlooked for generations.

“The stories of women at this time, and particularly the trauma and suffering endured by so many, have been shamefully sidelined and ignored for generations,” he said.

“I hope this sculpture will prompt new and renewed engagement with those stories among a wide audience.” 

The monument was unveiled by Tralee mayor Angie Baily, alongside the seven female members of the current Kerry County Council.

The original motion seeking the monument was brought before the council in March 2023 by councillors Norma Moriarty, Deirdre Ferris, Aoife Thornton, Marie Moloney, and Maura Healy-Rae.

The project received funding from the Department of Housing, Local Government, and Heritage under the Per Cent for Art Scheme.

Other local authorities, including Cork City Council and Dublin City Council, are also examining ways to commemorate the role of women in the revolutionary period.

Sculptor Elizabeth O'Kane secured the commission following an open competition. A member of the Society of Portrait Sculptors, her work is displayed in Leinster House, the European Parliament in Strasbourg, Shannon Airport and Irish embassies in London and Washington, and includes sculptures of John Hume, Dr Garret FitzGerald and Count John McCormack.