Bringing the stories of 23 remarkable Irish women to life

Filmmaker Darina Clancy, in collaboration with Irish Examiner columnist Clodagh Finn, has made a TV documentary about 23 formidable women who changed people's lives in Ireland and abroad

Ireland's first female civil servant Thekla Beere, whose work resulted in the lifting of the marriage bar.

As a child in the 80s, my grandmother and I were walking the 200m or so from her home to the polling station when she stopped half way on the low wall on the mall for a rest. As we chatted, she made it very clear to me that women had fought hard for this right to be heard and that, if I, as a woman, did not use my vote, she would come back and haunt me.

One of the women who fought for that vote was born in the same town where my grandmother cast hers. Anna Haslam, after campaigning for women’s rights for years, was escorted by younger women to the polling station the very first time women were allowed to vote.

I’d like to think now my grandmother would appreciate the upcoming series I’ve worked on for Foghlaim TG4, Trína Súile (Through Her Eyes) which tells the stories of 23 women from Ireland, women we’ve barely heard of, if at all, who have made a significant difference at home or abroad in one way or another.

I had been following Irish Examiner columnist Clodagh Finn on Twitter, where she shared fascinating insights about Irish women whose achievements and stories were remarkable. 

Most of the women featured were unknown to me, but in every case they had challenged societal norms, pushed against oppression, and created meaningful change — often at great personal cost. All were unwavering in their determination.

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Mary Gorman in London to give evidence at Roger Casement's trial in 1916. Picture courtesy of National Archives Kew, UK.

The desire to bring Clodagh’s research to life on screen was powerful. When we met, we talked for hours, stories of so many women bouncing around the conversation, giggling at their tenacity, these tales of formidable women carving paths in their own way. That’s when I thought, let’s use short-form films to tell as many stories as possible. TG4 saw the potential and brought the concept to another level by commissioning through TG4 Foghlaim.

Mavis Arnold uncovered the abuses in industrial schools in Ireland. Picture: Kirsty Wigglesworth

The films have been crafted to tie in with the Leaving Certificate history curriculum. Twenty short films, each focusing on one woman’s story (with the exception of the four Daly sisters) will be available to teachers and students as case studies. 

It is possibly my proudest moment to think that we as a team have literally written these women back into history by bringing the stories to life, in our native language, to a whole new generation.

Clodagh has written in her column about all these women, but for a quick reminder of the formidable people we are dealing with, here's a whistlestop tour through them: ’s life was changed by accidentally witnessing gun runners on Banna Strand ahead of 1916. 

Irish women are grateful to our first female civil servant Thekla Beere, whose work resulted in the lifting of the marriage bar. But for Charlotte Brooke, so much of our Irish language heritage would be lost. The work of Edward Bunting would be lost but for Charlotte Milligan Fox. 

Lady Ranelagh was Robert Boyle’s science partner and may have been a victim of the Matilda effect that attributes the achievements of women scientists to their male colleagues. Leonora Barry fought for women’s labour rights in the USA.

The Daly sisters from Tyrone were creators in America, one of whom coined a slogan for Chanel Number Five. Lizzie Le Blond’s health led her to be the first woman to scale mountains. Mary Size from Galway saw the good in convicts as prison governor. Lady Edith Blake’s botanical paintings reflect her travels around the globe.

Mollie Gill was a star at camogie as well as being integral to the Cuala printing house. A Honda 50 was the transport of choice for Dóirín Mhic Mhurchú when she was reporting on matches. Mavis Arnold uncovered the abuses in industrial schools in Ireland. 

  Anna Parnell's leadership of the Women’s Land League was halted for its success. Lady Betty became Ireland’s first executioner. 

All six feet of Rachel Hamilton kept the peace on the streets of Glasgow. Mercedes Gleitz swam the channel and set many records. And, of course, Mary O’Sullivan, or as I like to call her Miss Moneypenny, had a ringside seat to a changing Ireland in the Mansion House from 1901 to 1942.

As we began the production, things took on a life of their own. Casting the parts of the women, the very first woman we auditioned said she was so happy we were bringing these women to life, that even if she made tea for us, she would be delighted to be involved. This was the tone of the entire production. So many people were just happy to be involved.

We were not just telling the stories of the 23 women, but our own stories too. Among the laughter, some personal accounts shared in the green room were so reflective of Irish society for women, that silence fell and hearts broke. 

Joy returned when baby Daisy, new-born daughter of Maeve, our make-up artist, was on set with us every morning — new life, new generation. Tuigeann bean bean eile.

• Trína Súile, 20 short films, will be available on Foghlaim TG4 from International Women’s Day March 8, and on mainstream TG4 over the coming months. 

• Darina Clancy is managing and creative director of Cormorant Films