Work continues on Kathleen Lynn Mayo memorial garden project

WORK in continuing on a project to create a memorial garden to Kathleen Lynn in Cong.

It is hoped that the garden will open next year.

Cong Tidy Towns Committee are behind the project which will commemorate the Mayo-born suffragette, who was Chief Medical Officer in the Irish Citizen Army during the 1916 Rising, after which she was imprisoned.

Later, Kathleen Lynn she was instrumental in opening St. Ultan’s Hospital in Dublin, which played a huge part in tackling the ravages of TB which was rampant at the time.

The garden will be designed to comply with all the latest biodiversity regulations and heritage rules, a meeting of Mayo County Council's heritage committee was told.

Committee cathaoirleach Councillor Michael Burke said good work is being done on the project and everyone is looking forward to seeing it.

Also featuring as part of the Decade of Centenary celebratoins in Mayo is the Revolutionary Women of East Mayo and South Sligo 1918-1923 - a research project and exhibition created by students from St. Joseph’s Community College in Charlestown.

The exhibition was launched in the Museum of Country Life, Turlough Park, in November, where it is now on display.

It will later be exhibited at Charlestown Library and Arts Centre.

The recognition finally being given to women for their role in Ireland's fight for independence was commented on Councillor Gerry Coyle, who noted how many had been poorly treated by the Irish authorities afterwards.

Credit was paid to the Mayo library service for organising a programme of events that told the centenary story from all sides.