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Clodagh Finn

@clodaghfinn.bsky.social
1.4K followers 424 following 166 posts

Journalist, writer (new book, The Irish in the Resistance) and collector of stories. Posts about women from history.

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Clodagh Finn @clodaghfinn.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
Anne Devlin: honouring the woman behind the myth on the 175th anniversary of her death. Irishwoman's Diary in today's Irish Examiner #SpeirGorm www.irishexaminer.com/opinion/colu...?
irishexaminer.com
Clodagh Finn: Anne Devlin was never just Robert Emmet’s housekeeper. It’s time we told her story
A new children’s book and the work of historian Mícheál Ó Doibhilín are helping restore Anne Devlin’s place in Irish history
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Clodagh Finn @clodaghfinn.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
As tributes continue to pour in for campaigning journalist Frank McDonald, I went back to look at one written by him about the environmental campaigner Deirdre Kelly who inspired a generation. www.irishexaminer.com/opinion/colu...?
irishexaminer.com
Clodagh Finn: Deirdre Kelly, the environmental campaigner who inspired a generation
An obituary this week about Frank McDonald reminds Clodagh Finn of another environmental campaigner, Deirdre Kelly, who believed passionately that urban design should serve people and communities firs...
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Clodagh Finn @clodaghfinn.bsky.social · 06/09/2026
I was so moved to hear Aoife Scott and Roisin O's exquisite rendition of 'Grace' at Croke Park last night, not least because a portrait of the woman who inspired it has been recently acquired by the National Gallery of Ireland. Irishwoman's Diary www.irishexaminer.com/opinion/colu...?
irishexaminer.com
Clodagh Finn: The remarkable story of Grace Gifford, the artist who kept going — and skating
A newly acquired William Orpen portrait captures the humour and spirit of an artist whose life was shaped by Ireland’s turbulent history
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Clodagh Finn @clodaghfinn.bsky.social · 05/09/2026
The fun we had flapping at the Pav in Cork last night! Here is the magnificent @caitbeaumont.bsky.social getting into the spirit of the 1920s. Read posts below for more on a new book that shines a light on that most exotic but forgotten creature - the Irish Flapper!
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Patrick Brannigan @patrickjmb.bsky.social · 29/08/2026
"In the 1920s, bishops, north and south, stood sentinel against the moral dangers of the jazz-dancing, cigarette-smoking, short-dress-wearing modern woman." Flappers and the Jazz Age: edited by Eileen Hogan and Louise Ryan @clodaghfinn.bsky.social #SpéirGhorm www.irishexaminer.com/opinion/colu...
irishexaminer.com
Clodagh Finn: The Irish flappers who defied the bishops to bring the Jazz Age to Ireland
A new book opens the most surprising — and utterly delightful — window on the rich social and cultural life of Irish women in the early part of the 20th-century... to the utter disgust of many (male) ...
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Clodagh Finn @clodaghfinn.bsky.social · 29/08/2026
Too often the history of women is the history of hardship and oppression but, joy of joys, here is an account of fun: the Irish flappers who defied the bishops to bring the Jazz Age to Ireland. 'Flappers & the Jazz Age in Ireland' launches in Cork next Friday. www.irishexaminer.com/opinion/colu...?
irishexaminer.com
Clodagh Finn: The Irish flappers who gave bishops sleepless nights by embracing jazz and fashion
New research reveals how Irish women embraced jazz, fashion and dance despite bishops’ warnings about the supposed dangers of modernity
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Caitríona Beaumont @caitbeaumont.bsky.social · 29/08/2026
Lovely review by @clodaghfinn.bsky.social in @irishexaminer.bsky.social today for new @manchesterup.bsky.social edited collection 'Flappers & the Jazz Age in Ireland' manchesteruniversitypress.co.uk/9781526181787/. Looking forward to launch in Cork next Friday 🥳. @whaireland.bsky.social #20s30s.
irishexaminer.com
Clodagh Finn: The Irish flappers who gave bishops sleepless nights by embracing jazz and fashion
New research reveals how Irish women embraced jazz, fashion and dance despite bishops’ warnings about the supposed dangers of modernity
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Clodagh Finn @clodaghfinn.bsky.social · 23/08/2026
Roshana D set up a secret school for girls in Afghanistan but fled to Pakistan when she was discovered by the Taliban. She is now in hiding - but still spoke to Irishwoman's Diary to ensure that women's voices are heard. Such courage 🙏 #SpeirGorm www.irishexaminer.com/opinion/colu...?
irishexaminer.com
Clodagh Finn: A window into life of an Afghan woman who set up a secret school for girls and now lives in hiding
Roshana Dadgar set up a secret school in Afghanistan to educate young girls. She was later forced to flee to Pakistan and now lives under the threat of deportation, writes Clodagh Finn
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Clodagh Finn @clodaghfinn.bsky.social · 15/08/2026
I've been haunted by the words of former Cumann na mBan women who led lives of quiet desperation in the state they helped to build. @lloislanel.bsky.social has done eye-opening & vital research laying bare the hardship faced by single women in Cork. www.irishexaminer.com/opinion/colu... #SpeirGorm
irishexaminer.com
Clodagh Finn: The Cork women who helped build the State were left with almost nothing
New research uncovers the poverty, neglect and quiet desperation faced by Cork women who fought during Ireland’s revolutionary period
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Fiona Doris @fionadoris.bsky.social · 13/08/2026
It doesn’t matter that my people are not from Tralee. Spiorad Ban Chiarraí stands for all defiant women; for me, my female ancestors and for our children and future generations. I will go to see Elizabeth O’Kanes creation. I may cry. Great storytelling, as ever @clodaghfinn.bsky.social #speirgorm
irishexaminer.com
Clodagh Finn: A lesson in how to reawaken the spirit of our revolutionary women
Clodagh Finn looks at Kerry’s revolutionary women whose spirit has been reawakened and honoured in a majestic bronze sculpture that stands 2.5m tall in the centre of Tralee Town Park
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Clodagh Finn @clodaghfinn.bsky.social · 08/08/2026
A majestic bronze sculpture in Tralee finally honours the unheralded women of the revolutionary period. #MonumentalWomen #SpeirGorm www.irishexaminer.com/opinion/colu...
irishexaminer.com
Clodagh Finn: A lesson in how to reawaken the spirit of our revolutionary women
Clodagh Finn looks at Kerry’s revolutionary women whose spirit has been reawakened and honoured in a majestic bronze sculpture that stands 2.5m tall in the centre of Tralee Town Park
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Eamonn Sweeney @sweeneyagonistes.bsky.social · 02/08/2026
Fascinating piece by the always excellent Clodagh Finn on an Irish sporting pioneer. Another shining example of that Mayo desire to boldly go where no-one has gone before.
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Fiona Doris @fionadoris.bsky.social · 01/08/2026
A woman from Mayo won the first Tour de France for women! How is this not common knowledge……oh, yeah cos it’s a woman. 🙄 What an incredible feat! 🚲 ♀️ 🙏 @clodaghfinn.bsky.social column For telling the ♀️stories #SpeirGorm
irishexaminer.com
Clodagh Finn: The Mayo woman who won the first Tour de France for women
The memory of the last time the Sam Maguire went west, 75 years ago, is etched in local consciousness, yet a remarkable international win by a Ballina cyclist just a few years later remains little-kno...
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Feargal McKay @cycologies.com · 01/08/2026
The Tour de France Femmes rolls off today + @clodaghfinn.bsky.social in the @irishexaminer.bsky.social has the story of Mayo's Millie Robinson 🇮🇪, 'The Greatest Woman Cyclist of Them All', who won a precursor of today's #TdFF2026, 1955's Tour Féminin aka 'the First Tour de France Femmes'. #SpeirGorm
irishexaminer.com
Clodagh Finn: The Mayo woman who won the first Tour de France for women
The memory of the last time the Sam Maguire went west, 75 years ago, is etched in local consciousness, yet a remarkable international win by a Ballina cyclist just a few years later remains little-kno...
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Library of the Royal Irish Academy @rialibrary.bsky.social · 15/07/2026
Wonderful to see the Kinahan Collection highlighted here in this article about Peadar McArdle's recent book. Peadar worked his way through the extensive diary collection of Henry and Harriette Kinahan, housed here in the Royal Irish Academy @ria.ie
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Clodagh Finn @clodaghfinn.bsky.social · 11/07/2026
The diaries of field geologist Henry Kinahan and his artist wife Harriette paint a vivid picture of science in the 19th century, even though they wrote only 10 or so words a day. See Peader McArdle's illuminating new book. #SpeirGorm www.irishexaminer.com/opinion/colu...
irishexaminer.com
Clodagh Finn: He mapped the bedrock of Ireland, she drew it. One couple’s nationwide odyssey
Clodagh Finn explores how newly published diaries reveal the personal sacrifices behind pioneering geological research in 19th-century Ireland
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Deirdre O'Shaughnessy @deshocks.bsky.social · 06/07/2026
Six new eps of the Irishwoman's Diary miniseries with @clodaghfinn.bsky.social - we discussed philanthropist Arabella Denny; lesbian nun Bridget Coll; Olympian Maeve Kyle; actress Genevieve Lyons; war reporter Gertrude Gaffney & Countess Joan Fitzgerald www.irishexaminer.com/podcasts/podcast-dos
irishexaminer.com
The Deirdre O'Shaughnessy Podcast - Irish Examiner
The Deirdre O'Shaughnessy Podcast - Irish Examiner: A comprehensive series of articles on this topic
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Clodagh Finn @clodaghfinn.bsky.social · 04/07/2026
Today, on the 250th anniversary of the American Declaration of Independence, I will be thinking of Lydia Darragh, the Irish Quaker who went through enemy lines to warn George Washington of a planned ambush by the British. www.irishexaminer.com/opinion/colu...
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Susan Madigan @susanmadigan3.bsky.social · 01/07/2026
Once again obsessed with @deshocks.bsky.social amazing podcast series: An Irish Woman's Diary. @clodaghfinn.bsky.social really brings these compelling women to life. Particularly enjoyed hearing about Lady Arabella Denny. Listen immediately!
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Lee Dillon @leeirenedillon.bsky.social · 27/06/2026
Enough with the gun toters. Cd we pls have a memorial to our C18th healthcare revolutionary Griselda Steevens, funder & founder of Dublin’s Steevens Hospital in 1733 ‘for the relief & maintenance of curable poor persons’, now home to @hselive.bsky.social. @dermotlacey.bsky.social shorturl.at/d6YfN
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Grizelda Steevens | Dr Steevens’ Hospital
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Clodagh Finn @clodaghfinn.bsky.social · 14/06/2026
I knew very little about modernist artist Elizabeth Rivers until last week. She went on a visit to Inis Mór after seeing Man of Aran and stayed 8 years Her spirit returns on Tuesday when the three-day Rivers on Aran begins. Photos: © Elizabeth Rivers Estate www.irishexaminer.com/opinion/colu...
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Dr Jamie Gallagher @jamiebgall.co.uk · 02/06/2026
It’s Pride 🏳️‍🌈 Spare one repost for a small creator? 🥺 My science and sci fi pins raise money for homeless LGBTQ+ people. Just sent another £800 to @aktcharity.bsky.social bringing total to £47,521 New for Pride 2026: 🌈Scientist🌈 🏳️‍🌈🐥🦜🦅🏳️‍🌈 🌈pronouns🌈 www.jamiebgall.co.uk/shop
Pin badge “scientist” in rainbow motif Two bird pins. A series if birds sitting on a branch. Each bird is the colour of a stripe on the rainbow flag. Pronoun pins with rainbow motif:
She her 
He him 
She they 
He they 
They them An array of pride themed science and sci fi pins.
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Clodagh Finn @clodaghfinn.bsky.social · 09/06/2026
Any Bray people out there who could help with this? I was delighted to see Philomena Burke, community pharmacist, remembered on Quinsborough Road. I will dig a bit but can anybody tell me anything about her?
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Clodagh Finn @clodaghfinn.bsky.social · 06/06/2026
I wish there was some way of telling the 4,114 so-called famine orphans dismissed as “workhouse scrapings” when they were first sent to Australia that the tide has truly turned. It was extraordinary to hear Australian ambassador Chantelle Taylor speaking in Irish to honour these girls...
irishexaminer.com
Clodagh Finn: Bringing home something of the famine orphans who shaped Australia
Between 1848 and 1850, thousands of young Irish girls were sent to struggling colonies in Australia
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Clodagh Finn @clodaghfinn.bsky.social · 30/05/2026
As the Giro d'Italia's women's race gets underway today, meet the only woman who ever rode in the men's race. Also, Ireland's cycling pioneers and why they were warned of the dangers of 'bicycle face'. Irishwoman's Diary today @irishexaminer.bsky.social www.irishexaminer.com/opinion/colu...
irishexaminer.com
Clodagh Finn: Female cycling pioneers were told they risked ‘bicycle face’, but time has not removed barriers
Alfonsina Strada is still the only woman to have taken part in the Giro d’Italia although, happily, a new generation of female professional cyclists are breaking through the many obstacles to shine na...
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Patrick Brannigan @patrickjmb.bsky.social · 29/05/2026
Kathleen Cuthbert (née Ferguson) is in the roll of honour in The Irish in the Resistance by @clodaghfinn.bsky.social & John Morgan. archives.wartimeni.com/person/kathl... Minor footnote, her husband Prof Norman was one of my statistics lecturers at @qubelfastofficial.bsky.social
archives.wartimeni.com
Kathleen Cuthbert - WartimeNI
Born in Doagh, Co. Antrim, Kathleen Cuthbert went on to work on some of the highest level, top-secret work in the United Kingdom during the Second World War.
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Patrick Brannigan @patrickjmb.bsky.social · 26/05/2026
This book is fascinating, inspirational, and sad, too. The picture is of Catherine Crean, of Moore Street in Dublin, who was arrested for helping Allied airmen in Brussels. The Irish in the Resistance: @clodaghfinn.bsky.social and John Morgan ISBN-13: 978-0717191352 Publisher: Gill Books #SpéirGhorm
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Deirdre O'Shaughnessy @deshocks.bsky.social · 19/05/2026
Exciting news! @clodaghfinn.bsky.social and I had such fun making our podcast mini-series An Irishwoman's Diary that Series Two will be available in June. ICYMI, Series One is available here - you can listen back to all the episodes at this link: www.irishexaminer.com/news/spotlig...
irishexaminer.com
An Irishwoman's Diary series 1: Meet the Irish women who left their mark on history
Irish women have made their mark on the world across generations. Deirdre O'Shaughnessy and Clodagh Finn discuss six such women and their incredible stories
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Clodagh Finn @clodaghfinn.bsky.social · 20/05/2026
This work is the most exciting I've come across for a long time... It is unearthing a chorus of new female voices from the early modern period and giving them wonderful expression. Meet Catherine Strong, the Dung Queen of Ireland in the 1600s. Love it. 🙌
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Nigel Monaghan @nigelmonaghan-nh.bsky.social · 16/05/2026
A great Irish artist and illustrator with a quirky sense of humour when required and even available for commissions. Well worth checking out for the saints or sinners in your life.
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Fiona Doris @fionadoris.bsky.social · 16/05/2026
How do you you mind the legacy of a brilliant woman? @clodaghfinn.bsky.social spills the tea in her @irishexaminer.bsky.social column today. 💚 @rememberingmary.bsky.social #Speirgorm
irishexaminer.com
Clodagh Finn: A champion of science who had the gift of inspiring wonder
The memory of Mary Mulvihill's pioneering work and legacy still burns bright
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VOICES OF WOMEN IN EARLY MODERN IRELAND @voicestcd.bsky.social · 14/05/2026
Check out our latest article on ‘Digital Humanities and Artificial Intelligence in Women’s History: The VOICES Project (Ireland)’! By Lucy McKenna @bamcshane.bsky.social @janeohlmeyer.bsky.social Declan O’Sullivan @drdpatterson.bsky.social @adaptcentre.bsky.social voicesproject.ie/impact/digit...
voicesproject.ie
'Digital Humanities and Artificial Intelligence in Women's History: The VOICES project (Ireland)' published in Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Gender and Women's History - VOICES
This chapter written by the VOICES team, offers a brief introduction to the ‘digital windfall’ of Irish historical data (Part I) and also discusses the innovative technologies and methods that the VOI...
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Joe Noonan @joenoonan.bsky.social · 04/04/2026
"That to me is the most important quality; to be able to listen without shouting back at people who perhaps have a different view and bring them slowly around, perhaps, to reflecting on that.” - Lelia Doolan, quoted in this excellent piece by @clodaghfinn.bsky.social @irishexaminer.bsky.social
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Morag Friel @moragfriel.bsky.social · 04/04/2026
Great piece by @clodaghfinn.bsky.social on courageous activists Lelia Doolan + Margaretta D’Arcy. Lelia, at 91, is walking from Shannon airport to Dublin to raise awareness of the American military’s mis-use of Shannon. Will our govt find the courage change their “blind-eye” policy? Not likely…😢
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WeRateDogs @weratedogs.com · 25/03/2026
A viral dog rescue from 2016 is now immortalized with a statue in Kazakhstan. When a dog fell into the Sayran reservoir, bystanders formed a human chain to pull him to safety. The statue is a reminder of the value of unity, solidarity and collective action. 14/10 for all
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Joe Noonan @joenoonan.bsky.social · 23/03/2026
One voice from Iran, heard in Ireland thanks to @clodaghfinn.bsky.social @irishexaminer.bsky.social
irishexaminer.com
An Iranian woman’s war diary: 'The news called it carpet bombing'
A young Iranian woman in Karaj, near Tehran, describes the devastating impact of the US-Israeli war on Iran on ordinary people. She sends fully verified daily updates when she can get online. Here, in...
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Deirdre O'Shaughnessy @deshocks.bsky.social · 21/03/2026
Really important work from Clodagh Finn in today’s @irishexaminer.bsky.social - she has this verified diary of a woman living near Tehran of what is happening there as Trump and Israel’s war wreaks havoc. Continued throughout the week: www.irishexaminer.com/opinion/colu...
irishexaminer.com
An Iranian woman’s diary: ‘It feels as if we are trapped in a massive, lethal video game’
An Irishwoman’s Diary is dedicating this week’s column to ‘M’, who is offering unflinching testimony of the reality of war at a human level, starting today with some extracts, which show the fear, str...
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Joe Noonan @joenoonan.bsky.social · 21/03/2026
“These days, there are many voices that go unheard and much suffering that goes unseen...”. Thanks to @clodaghfinn.bsky.social and @irishexaminer.bsky.social for allowing this voice through.
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VOICES OF WOMEN IN EARLY MODERN IRELAND @voicestcd.bsky.social · 16/03/2026
Congratulations Jessie Buckley on her big win! Great to see a focus on 17th century women. Check out this article on Irish women alive during the time of Hamnet 💚 @clodaghfinn.bsky.social @janeohlmeyer.bsky.social @tcdlibrary.bsky.social @erc.europa.eu @tlrhub.bsky.social @adaptcentre.bsky.social
irishexaminer.com
Clodagh Finn: The dung queen of Ireland — and other Irish women alive in the time of Hamnet
Voices is using AI and Knowledge Graph technologies to bring together myriad sources so historians and computer scientists can recover the lives of ordinary Irish early modern women
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Caitríona Beaumont @caitbeaumont.bsky.social · 07/03/2026
Many thanks to brilliant @clodaghfinn.bsky.social in @irishexaminer.bsky.social for highlighting our #womensgrassrootsactivism project on eve of #IWD2026. Great to have work of @soroptimistgbi.bsky.social & #ICA acknowledged & remembered @whaireland.bsky.social www.irishexaminer.com/opinion/colu...
irishexaminer.com
Clodagh Finn: A woman’s toolkit for change for the next 100 years
As we mark International Women’s Day, a new book looks at how women overcame the barriers and restrictions imposed on them
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VOICES OF WOMEN IN EARLY MODERN IRELAND @voicestcd.bsky.social · 02/03/2026
From ‘the dung queen of Ireland’ to Jessie Buckley: @janeohlmeyer.bsky.social recently discussed with Clodagh Finn the importance of sharing early modern women’s stories, advances in AI tools, and how VOICES is leading the charge on both fronts. A special thank you to Clodagh for the article!
irishexaminer.com
Clodagh Finn: The dung queen of Ireland — and other Irish women alive in the time of Hamnet
Voices is using AI and Knowledge Graph technologies to bring together myriad sources so historians and computer scientists can recover the lives of ordinary Irish early modern women
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Clodagh Finn @clodaghfinn.bsky.social · 28/02/2026
One of the things I loved about Hamnet was that a 17th-century woman's life was at the centre of it. Now, thanks to the Voicesproject.ie we can walk beside the Irishwomen alive at the same time. Meet the Dung Queen of Ireland, and so many others... www.irishexaminer.com/opinion/colu...
irishexaminer.com
Clodagh Finn: The dung queen of Ireland — and other Irish women alive in the time of Hamnet
Voices is using AI and Knowledge Graph technologies to bring together myriad sources so historians and computer scientists can recover the lives of ordinary Irish early modern women
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VOICES OF WOMEN IN EARLY MODERN IRELAND @voicestcd.bsky.social · 17/02/2026
A belated Valentine's from VOICES ❤️ A Mrs Kinborow Valentine reportedly lived until she was 118 years of age! Her Funeral Entry is recorded in NLI GO MS 76 f. 108v, along with a coat of arms inscribed with small hearts.
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Clodagh Finn @clodaghfinn.bsky.social · 22/02/2026
I was blown away to discover that Genevieve Lyons dodged the censors in 1950s Ireland when she played the 'immoral' Sally Bowles in a precursor of 'Cabaret'. It even started a craze for Sally Bowles berets! With special thanks to @barry_houlihan www.irishexaminer.com/opinion/colu...
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Clodagh Finn @clodaghfinn.bsky.social · 09/02/2026
Brid Lynch toured the world with the Abbey Theatre, yet I know nothing about my fellow Kerry woman. Looking forward to finding out more tomorrow night at 7.30pm in the Teacher's Club on Parnell Square when the wonderful Fiona Brennan, theatre historian and researcher, takes the stage so-to-speak.
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Clodagh Finn @clodaghfinn.bsky.social · 08/02/2026
I'm getting in early to highlight a significant date on the horizon: March 21 marks the 150th anniversary of the birth of Anna Frances Levins, photographer, publisher, writer, painter and activist once described as “the most travelled Irishwoman in the world”. www.irishexaminer.com/opinion/colu...
irishexaminer.com
Clodagh Finn: Anna Frances Levins — ‘The most travelled Irishwoman in the world’
March 21 marks the 150th anniversary of the birth of Anna Frances Levins, writes Clodagh Finn
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Deirdre O'Shaughnessy @deshocks.bsky.social · 02/02/2026
If you feel like marking this BH in honour of St Bridget have a listen to my recent podcast miniseries on fascinating Irish women with @clodaghfinn.bsky.social First episode here: open.spotify.com/episode/7bnk...
open.spotify.com
An Irishwoman's diary Episode 1: ‘Quiet piggy’ - Grizelda Steevens
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Alison Gilliland @alisongilliland.bsky.social · 02/02/2026
@clodaghfinn.bsky.social wonderfully inspiring as usual gifting us this beautiful insight into Brigid/Brigit. We still need to learn from her understanding, courage and compassion! www.irishexaminer.com/opinion/colu...
irishexaminer.com
Clodagh Finn: The forgotten miracles of St Brigid — healer, abbess, and charioteer
Whatever you are doing, I think it safe to say that the whole country will rejoice in the Brigidine bank holiday, introduced in 2023
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