The Kitchen Power exhibition was launched on Friday 19th July by Mrs. Mary Robinson, former President of Ireland. Mrs. Robinson gave a speech where she linked the impact that rural electrification had on women in rural Ireland with the efforts to combat the climate crisis through feminist solutions, including access to water and electricity in undeveloped areas of the world. Despite some heavy rain, the launch was very well attended, including participants in both the oral history and textile art project, as well as local dignitaries.
Mary Robinson launching the Kitchen Power exhibition, with one of Olafur Eliasson’s Little Suns. Photo by Joseph O’Brien
L-R: Brigid O’Brien, ICA member and interview participant; Cllr Michael Kilcoyne, Cathaoirleach Castlebar Council; Noreen Durken, ICA member, interview and textile art project participant; Brendan Delany, ESB; Cllr Brendan Mulroy, Cathaoirleach of Mayo County Council; Mrs. Mary Robinson, former President of Ireland; Catherine Heaney, Chair of the Board of the National Museum of Ireland; Lynn Scarff, Director of the National Museum of Ireland; Noel Campbell, Curator, National Museum of Ireland – Country Life; Dr. Sorcha O’Brien, Curator, Kingston University, London. Photo courtesy of the NMI
Maura McGuinness presenting Mary Robinson with a textile craft kit. Photo by Joseph O’Brien
Sorcha O’Brien and interview participant Brigid O’Brien showing Mary Robinson the oral histories. Photo courtesy of the NMI
Lynda Dunne, Josephine Scannell, Mary Ann Egan and Colm Scannell inspecting the Kitchen Power exhibition. Photo courtesy of the NMI
The curatorial and design team L-R: Dr. Sorcha O’Brien, Kingston University, London; Noel Campbell, National Museum of Ireland – Country Life; Ann Scroope, Wendy Williams and Caroline O’Connor of Scroope Design
Oral history interview participants Biddle Lawlor and Rachel Botha, both from Kilkenny, at the Kitchen Power exhibition opening. Photo courtesy of Rachel Botha.