Creche facilities are available (free of charge), to ensure the correct staffing please book your places now: 020 7249 7318 (leave message if out of office hours) or email info@liwc.co.uk
Recent Press Releases: 25th September 2008
Nell McCafferty in Conversation with
London Irish women
Celebrating 25 years of the LIWC
Nell McCafferty, journalist from Derry, characterised in a Guardian review of her autobiography Nell as “part Germaine Greer and part Mae West, she is not a woman you should spurn”, is returning to London in October to celebrate 25 years of the London Irish Women’s Centre (LIWC) at Toynbee Hall, Spitalfields.
Nell will be “in conversation” with health specialist Dr Mary Tilki, Prof. Mary Hickman, Irish Traveller Ally Ward, and Ken Livingstone’s special advisor on women in London Anni Marjoram – all women of Irish birth or descent – exchanging experiences and exploring issues of living as part of an ethnic minority in London, the journey so far, echoes and resonances with other ethnic communities.
Said Nuala Conlan, Chair of LIWC,“Back in the 80’s it was not so great being Irish in London. Many members of the community, were badly treated and some were incorrectly labelled as “terrorists”.
“The London Irish Women’s Centre on Stoke Newington Church Street was a haven for many women where Irish identity was celebrated, creativity and culture thrived, and being an Irish woman was celebrated – regardless of religion, sexuality, geography or politics. We hope that as many women as possible associated with the Centre over the years will come and join us for the “craic agus ceoil” on 25th October”.
“The Centre has developed through the years to meet the needs of the community of Irish women, incorporating welfare and housing Advice services and long-term psychotherapy alongside group and cultural activities. Today we are commissioned by London Councils to deliver advice and advocacy for Irish women and their families facing homelessness as well as counselling for Irish women with experience of rape, domestic violence or abuse.” Says Tish Collins, Director of LIWC.
15th October 2008
Irish Lifelines – lifetimes in a few lines
Coinciding with the twenty-fifth anniversary of the London Irish Women's Centre
will be the publication of Irish Lifelines: an anthology of poems by Irish women survivors in London. The launch will include readings from a number of the poets.
Editor, acclaimed poet Eamer O’Keeffe will say “This evocative collection draws on the sadness, distress, humour and joie de vivre of these remarkable women. Being a survivor of any kind means having to hide a large part of ourselves…music, art and poetry are great healers of the soul. The survivor movement has grown in strength over recent years creating many groups which have generated expression through art, writing and performance.”
Contributors include Julie McNamara, playwright, singer and winner of Lifetime Achievement award at the Dada festival 2006 for her work in disability arts and Kathleen O’Sullivan, traditional singer who recently performed at Glastonbury Festival with ‘The London Lasses and Pete Quinn’. .
Tish Collins, Director of the London Irish Women's Centre will say “Working alongside Eamer O’Keefe has been an inspiration as she has designed and crafted this volume of such depth and beauty. The poems, created by Irish women with stories to tell, have extended the reader the privilege of an insight into some often troubled minds. They offer glimpses of the realities of life for first and second generation Irish women in London. Acknowledging the inner struggles to survive some having left difficult circumstances only to encounter different difficult circumstances. They tell the journey through preconceptions, the perceptions of others and reality.”
Notes
Irish Lifelines: an anthology of poems by Irish Women Survivors in London is published by the London Irish Women's Centre.
Eamer O’Keeffe, has also co-edited Fresher than Green, Brighter than Orange – a collection by Irish women survivors published by Survivors Poetry 1999
Day of celebrations for London Irish Women's Centre 25th Anniversary Saturday 25th October 2008 at Toynbee Hall, 28 Commercial Street, Spitalfields, London E1 6LS. 10.00 – 3.30.
Book Launch at 2.00 pm will be women-only session because readings from featured poets.
Programme for Day includes:
Welcome from Irish Ambassador HE David Cooney
· Panel discussion on Identity led by Nell McCafferty together with Anni Marjoram, Mary Tilki, Nuala Conlan and Ally Ward.
· Exhibition 1 History of London Irish Women's Centre with inter-active time-line – add your comments, photos, recollections and captions.
· Exhibition 2 Come into the Parlour and experience life as presented by London’s Irish Travellers.
· Lunchtime Music by Bridget Corcoran (singing Irish traditional and country ballads) and An Óige (young Irish ceilidh band).
· Arts and Crafts – things to make and buy.
· Information stalls.
· Refreshments and Buffet Lunch.
· Entrance free.
· All welcome, apart from Poetry book launch which is women only.
· Creche must be booked 10 days in advance.