St. Mary’s Secondary School will remember the extraordinary role played by women in the 1916 Easter Rising by launching an art and history exhibition in Mallow Library next Thursday, 28th January, from 5-7 pm. The keynote address will be delivered by Dr. Ann Matthews, historian and playwright. The exhibition will be launched by Mayor of County Cork, Cllr. John Paul O’Shea. Students will treat guests to an evening of art, music, poetry and public speaking. The pieces to be displayed are the work of Transition Year students. This free event will be open to the public. The exhibition will run until 10th February.

St. Mary’s has chosen ‘Women of 1916’ as the theme of its centenary programme. The women of 1916 were spies, snipers, couriers and gunrunners. They were also wives, mothers, sisters and girlfriends. Their role in the Rising has been largely overlooked. Transition Year history students have undertaken a module of work in which they have learned about Countess Markievicz, Margaret Skinnider, Elizabeth O’Farrell and Kathleen Lynn. A History Week was recently held in the school. This involved quizzes, scavenger hunts, competitions, guest speakers and displays. St. Mary’s will celebrate Irish Flag Week from 10th to 17th March.

The highlight of the school’s centenary programme will be a special ‘Songs of Rebellion’ concert featuring Aoife Scott, the voice of TG4’s Seachtar na Cásca and daughter of Frances Black. She will sing songs relevant to Ireland’s long struggle for independence. Aoife is a rising star of Ireland’s traditional and folk scene. This will be held in the Aemilian Theatre on Thursday night, 21st April. Not to be missed! For tickets and information contact the school office: 022-21998 / info@stmarysmallow.com