2016 Events at Lissadell
Markievicz Ministerial Dinner
15th July 2016
On 15 July 2016 we celebrated the 89th anniversary of the death of Countess Markievicz with a historic gathering of women who have held or currently hold cabinet positions. The event celebrated the achievements of women in public office in Ireland since the election of the first woman – Countess Markievicz of Lissadell – to the Westminster parliament in 1918, the first general election that permitted women to vote and to stand for election, and her appointment as Minister for Labour in the first Dáil of 1919 – 1921.
On 15 July Edward Walsh, Constance Cassidy and children were honoured to welcome An Tánaiste, Frances Fitzgerald, Minister for Justice & Equality; Ministers Heather Humphreys, Mary Mitchell O’Connor and Katherine Zappone; Former Ministers Máire Geoghegan-Quinn, Gemma Hussey, Mary O’Rourke, Nora Owen, Niamh Bhreathnach, Mary Harney, Síle de Valera, Mary Coughlan, Mary Hanafin and Jan O’Sullivan to the historic celebration of the life and achievements of Countess Markievicz, and also the women who have contributed to the life of the nation by their service in public office.