Join us on August 30th  for a very special programme dedicated to bringing some of the powerful O'Connell women out of the shadows and into the light.

11am The life of Mary O’Connell. Sophie Twomey, OPW Visitor Guide at Derrynane, will share the captivating personal history of Mary O’Connell.

11.45am Jessica Fahy, Art Historian, will deliver a visual analysis of the O’Connell women portraits that hang on the walls of Derrynane House today.

1pm Presentation of Ellen’s Brooch: Nicola Fitz-simon, great, great, great granddaughter of Ellen O’Connell Fitz-simon will be presenting Derrynane house with this family heirloom on loan.

Refreshments.

2.30pm A guided tour of the Meadow Walk led by local poet Paddy Bushe. Paddy rediscovered the Meadow Walk after he found reference to it in an 1832 poem by Daniel O’Connell’s daughter Ellen, and it has recently been restored by the OPW. Please note, hiking gear and maximum of 30 people on the walk itself – pre-book separately via derrynanehouse@opw.ie. There will be an introduction at Derrynane House first, for those interested in the background but not the walk.