IN HONOUR OF International Women’s Day, we’d like to celebrate Irish women who are doing amazing things. Here are 17 of them (and 13 more from last year, here).
1. Aisling Bea
One of the funniest people to come out of this fair isle, Aisling has charmed audiences as a guest on QI and Live At The Apollo.
Next up for her is a role on the third series of The Fall with Gillian Anderson and Jamie Dornan.
2. Katherine Zappone
Ireland now has more female TDs in the Dáil than ever before – and one of them is Katherine Zappone, who campaigned tirelessly ahead of the marriage referendum last year.
Her proposal to wife Anne-Louise Gilligan on live TV on the day of the result melted all of our hearts.
3. Joanne O’Riordan
Joanne is well known as a disability campaigner, speaking before Taoiseach Enda Kenny, the United Nations, MIT and Apple.
Not only is she figuratively leading the way, she’s also literally leading the national St Patrick’s Day Parade in Dublin next week. Go Joanne!
4. Soak
Singer songwriter Bridie Monds-Watson (AKA Soak) picked up the Choice Music Prize just last week for her debut album, Before We Forgot How To Dream, and previously had a spot on the BBC’s prestigious Sound of 2015 longlist. One of Ireland’s brightest talents.
5. Una Mullally
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A leading voices in Irish media, last year Una published her first book and campaigned for marriage equality, all while battling colorectal cancer. Happily, in December she announced that she is cancer-free.
6. Claire Byrne
Claire has proved time and again that she is one of the nation’s most indispensable broadcasters, most recently when she put much-needed smacht on the Prime Time leader’s debate. MAKE HER TAOISEACH.
7. Tara Flynn
Frequently one of the funniest people on Twitter, actress and comedian Tara Flynn is the author of two humour books, You’re Grand and Giving Out Yards.
She’s also become a leading light in the Repeal The Eighth campaign, writing a moving account of her own experience of abortion.
8. Emma Hannigan
Author Emma Hannigan has beaten cancer a remarkable nine times, and is receiving treatment after being diagnosed for the tenth time in October 2015.
Her frank and funny attitude to the disease has been an inspiration to many – she released her tenth novel, The Perfect Gift, earlier this month.
9. Sarah Rowe
The face of Lidl’s new ladies’ football campaign, Sarah has played Gaelic football for Mayo and international soccer for Ireland.
She’s also called for better treatment for female players, telling The Irish Times: “No lads team would put up with the conditions we train and play in. They would go nuts.”
10. Simone Rocha
The daughter of iconic designer John Rocha, Simone has made her own mark on the fashion world. Her romantic designs have been shown at London Fashion Week since 2010, and famous fans include Keira Knightley, Rihanna and Beyoncé.
11. Lian Bell
Set designer Lian spearheaded the Waking The Feminists campaign, which highlighted gender inquality in Irish art and theatre – the movement has received support from artists both here and all over the world.
12. Saoirse Ronan
It would be remiss not to mention Saoirse after the phenomenal year she’s had – she’s successfully bridged the gap from child actress to leading lady, charmed Hollywood, and bagged an Oscar nomination to boot. Some woman.
13. Lindsay Peat
Lindsay’s list of achievements in sport is long and varied – she won an All Ireland football title with Dublin in 2010, captained the Irish basketball team, and made her senior rugby debut for Ireland back in November. Talk about a Renaissance woman.
14. Lisa McInerny
Former TheJournal.ie columnist Lisa McInerny published her debut novel The Glorious Heresies last year to rave reviews. Just this morning, she claimed a spot on the Bailey’s Women’s Prize for Fiction longlist, joining fellow Irish author Anne Enright.
15. Rosaleen McDonagh
Playwright Rosaleen McDonagh is outspoken about both Traveller and disability issues and a vital voice in the Waking The Feminists movement – often speaking about the importance of hearing the voices of women ‘from all sectors of society’.
16. Leona Maguire
Last year, Leona became the first Irish golfer to win the Mark H McCormack medal, making her the world’s best female amateur golfer.
17. Louise Ní Fhiannachta
As the director of TG4′s Eipic, Louise is giving the Irish language a youthful edge. Her other credits include directing soap Ros na Rún and the prize-winning short film, Rubaí.
