Photo exhibition Mná na hÉireann: Irish Female MEPs – Past and Present
On Wednesday 6th March, the European Parliament Liaison Office in Ireland (EPLO) was honoured to launch the photo exhibition Mná na hÉireann: Irish Female MEPs – Past and Present ahead of International Women's Day 2024 at Leinster House.
The exhibition features portrait photographs of every past and present female Irish MEP, taken by renowned Estonian photographer Kaupo Kikkas. The launch was marked by speeches from the acting head of the European Parliament Liaison Office (EPLO) in Ireland Fionnuala Croker, Leas-Cheann Comhairle Catherine Connolly, Chair of the Electoral Commission Justice Marie Baker, and Deputy Chair of the Oireachtas Women’s Caucus Ivana Bacik T.D. Maria Walsh MEP, and past MEPs including Mary Banotti, Bernie Malone, and Marian Harkin attended the event alonside various Irish politicians and foreign ambassadors.
Having taken place in the same week as International Women's Day, the event was an inspiring tribute to the contributions Irish women have made and continue to make to European and national politics.
In addition to the exhibition, the EPLO has also produced a commemorative book of all the portraits with information about the lives and work of the female MEPs compiled by historian Dr Sinéad McCoole, with a foreword by European Parliament President Roberta Metsola.
Useful links:
Oireachtas TV Coverage of the event