Celebrating the
Women of Inishowen
01.04.26
CLONMANY Genealogy &
Heritage Group is excited to announce a special
exhibition, titled 'Celebrating the Women of Inishowen',
is taking place on Saturday 11th and Sunday 12th April
2026 at the Market House in Clonmany. The exhibition
will be open to the public from 12:00 noon to 4:30 pm on
both days.
This unique and engaging exhibition will honour the
vital role women have played in shaping life across the
Inishowen peninsula, both historically and in modern
times. Through a rich collection of displays, stories,
and historical materials, visitors will gain insight
into the many ways women have contributed to family
life, agriculture, culture, community leadership, and
economic development in the region. |
 |
|
A previous exhibition in
the Market House, Clonmany. |
In the past, women were at
the heart of family and domestic life in rural
Inishowen. They ran households, raised children,
prepared meals, and cared for older family members, all
while often managing the family’s finances with skill
and care. Their resilience and ingenuity were essential
to maintaining stability within the home.
Visitors will be treated to an exhibition containing
many objects and artifacts which were commonplace in
Inishowen homes in times past. Additionally, there will
be a display featuring many familiar, and perhaps not so
familiar, women who have left their mark in the history
of Inishowen, such as the Clonmany born woman who
designed dresses for the rich and famous in the USA, or
the Buncrana woman who sang and entertained the people
of Inishowen for decades.
Visitors will also learn about the so-called 'Petticoat
Revolution' in the 1930s when the women in a Clonmany
sporting club, unhappy with how the club was being run
by the men on the committee, organised their resources
and voted the men off every single executive position
and replaced them with women. Clonmany women were to the
forefront of organising women’s soccer in Inishowen, and
were among the first to establish a women’s team in the
1970s.
Women also played a central role in farming and rural
labour. Women carried out much of the daily work,
including milking, tending livestock, working in fields
and gardens, and producing goods such as butter, eggs,
and honey for sale or trade. Their efforts were crucial
to the survival of rural communities, particularly
during times of economic hardship. |
 |
In addition to their work in the home and on the land,
women were key custodians of cultural traditions. They
preserved and passed on the Irish language, local
folklore, and traditional songs, while also sustaining
important crafts such as knitting, weaving, lacemaking
and dressmaking. These contributions have helped to
maintain the unique cultural identity of Inishowen.
Women have also been at the heart of community life,
actively participating in parish activities, charitable
work, and local organisations. Their efforts have
strengthened community ties and provided essential
support to families in need.
Today, women from Inishowen play vital roles across many
fields, including education, healthcare, business,
public service, the arts, journalism, and heritage.
Greater access to education has opened doors to
professional careers, allowing women to thrive while
staying closely connected to their communities. This
marks a profound shift from earlier times, when women
were forced to give up public service jobs upon
marriage—a reality that now seems almost unimaginable.
The progress enjoyed today is a testament to the
determination and resilience of past generations of
women, whose efforts ensured that such restrictions no
longer exist.
Women are also leading the way in community development
and entrepreneurship. Many are at the forefront of
initiatives that enhance local infrastructure, tourism,
and social services, while others run successful
businesses in tourism, crafts, food production, and
online enterprises, contributing to the sustainability
of rural life.
While the roles of women in Inishowen have evolved over
time, their importance to community life has remained
constant. From largely unrecognised contributions in the
past to visible leadership today, women continue to
shape the social, cultural, and economic fabric of the
region. |
 |
The exhibition offers a valuable opportunity for the
public to reflect on and celebrate these enduring
contributions.
The Clonmany Genealogy & Heritage Group warmly invites
everyone to attend this special event at the Market
House, Clonmany, and discover the stories of the women
who have helped shape the history and identity of
Inishowen.
For further information, please contact the Clonmany
Genealogy & Heritage Group on 086 6092369 or via email
at
clonmanygenealogygroup@gmail.com . |
|
