Press release
Minister Martin announces a new episode in the Mná 100 podcast series
From Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media
Published on
Last updated on
The second episode in the Mná 100 podcast series, titled ‘Touchstone’, has been launched by the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Catherine Martin TD, as part of the Decade of Centenaries Programme 2012-2023.
This podcast episode explores a lesser known aspect of the life of Constance de Markievicz, as an artist, actress, playwright, poet, and lyrist. Her artistic talents are the backdrop to a conversation with 3 of Ireland’s contemporary female artists, whose practice exemplifies those disciplines today. They reflect on Markievicz as a ‘Touchstone’ between our past and present.
The podcast is available at https://www.mna100.ie/centenary-moments/touchstone/ and wherever you listen to your podcasts.
Minister Martin said:
“I am delighted to announce this second episode in the Mná100 podcast series. Almost a century after her death, Constance de Markievicz continues to enlighten us. Her artistic talents are the inspiration for this very special podcast.
“This podcast captures the insights and inspirations of three of the Markievicz Bursary Award winners. We hear the engaging, contemporary voices of poet, Annemarie Ní Churreáin; writer, Joanna Walsh; and actress, director and writer, Barbara Bergin. They reflect on their own artistic practices and on Markievicz’s artistic endeavours in poetry, writing and acting. They anticipate the new artistic works that will be created, supported by my department’s Markievicz Bursary Award Scheme in conjunction with the Arts Council, under the Decade of Centenaries Programme and they speak to the future of the arts in Ireland."
The 3 featured artists are recipient winners of the Markievicz Bursary Award:
Constance de Markievicz is best known for being a prominent political figure and revolutionary in Irish history and this podcast explores the lesser known aspects of her artistic life, including her art education in London at the Slade, and in Paris at the Académie Julian, as well as her part in the theatrical world of early 20th century Dublin and the formation of The Arts Club.
The podcast will examine Markievicz’ work (including many previously unseen examples from the National Cultural Institutions, the Abbey Theatre, Kilmainham Gaol Museum, and the Lissadell Collection).
The Markievicz Award, established in 2019 under the Decade of Centenaries Programme and administered by the Arts Council, honours Constance de Markievicz, the first woman elected to Parliament and appointed to Cabinet and an artist herself. The Markievicz Award for the past three years has provided a bursary to twenty artists to date, to support them in developing new works that contemplate the experiences of women over the Decade of Centenaries period 2012–2023 and beyond.
Mná100 is a new online women’s initiative, for the final phase of the Decade of Centenaries Programme and continues the work in highlighting the role of women in the revolutionary period. Visit www.mna100.ie to learn more.