The Rev. Meurig Williams, Rector of Mallow Union, writes:

It was very good to host a community event at St Mary’s Doneraile to celebrate International Women’s Day, with its theme this year of ‘Gender equality for a sustainable future.’  

The evening offered a local microcosm of the breadth and depth of artistic creativity being generated by women throughout the world. This included displaying art by local artists, some recitation and acting, much singing and instrumental music as well as some fine story telling which captured the imagination. We were reminded of the way art, music, literature can inspire us, in a world where there is so much grasping for power and hostility.  

The event was formally inaugurated by Cllr Deirdre O’Brien, the Mayor of Fermoy, bringing a distinctive and creative voice to the political sphere and the public life of our communities here in North Cork.

All proceeds from the event went towards the current efforts here in Ireland to help Ukranian refugees who are fleeing the war in their homeland.   

The evening was compered by Mary St Leger who is one of our churchwardens at St Mary’s. Huge thanks were extended to her for organising this annual event, showing how positive it can be when the Church looks beyond its own boundaries and engages imaginatively with the whole community.