Rachel Cunningham
To mark this year’s St Brigid’s Day, an image of Ashling Murphy in her graduation robes was projected onto a Trinity College building on Monday night, January 31.
The event, which saw buildings lit up across the country, was organised by Herstory, a group that highlights women who have contributed to Irish society, culture and history.
A minute’s silence was observed for the late primary school teacher, who was murdered last month while running on the Grand Canal Way in Tullamore, Co. Offaly. A man has appeared in Tullamore District Court, charged with the 23-year-old woman’s murder.
Next year, St Brigid’s Day will be written into the history books once more, as it will become an official public holiday, marking the first Irish holiday to be named after a woman. The first of February is also said to be the beginning of spring and the Celtic festival of Imbolc.
The decision to make the date a new bank holiday from 2023, was the result of years of campaigning by Herstory’s group.
In an effort to highlight the issues that are of the utmost importance to young people, Herstory collaborated with the Irish Second Level Students’ Union. Among the topics mentioned were climate action, female education, mental health, racism and migrants rights.
“Never before in history have young people risen up together on this scale across the world.
“Power to students as they lead the light,” commented Herstory’s chief executive creative director, Melanie Lynch.
Saoirse Exton, ISSU equality officer, stated: “Young people are the leaders, educators, lawyers, factory-workers, programmers, artists, legislators and so many other things, of the future and by right of our existence we must voice our concerns and the specific issues that affect us.
“By celebrating those that came before and continue to work towards dismantling the system and creating a better world, we are creating spaces for the activists of tomorrow and inviting more young people to join every fight – from climate to reproductive justice.”
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