
SISTERS were doing it for themselvesย in Rathkeale on International Women’s Day when more than 300 people and ten organisations celebratedย in style.
Organised by Rathkeale Together, a local cohesion project, schoolgirls led a procession 2km through the main street from The Square to the Rathkeale House Hotel, with many decked out in purple.
The event included delegations from Limerick Youth Services, Limerick Sports Partnership, Music Generation, North Star Resource Centre, ADAPT, St Anneโs Girls School, St Josephโs Boys School, Church Street National School, Colรกiste na Trรณcaire secondary school, and Rathkeale Together Womenโs Group.
After the procession, participants enjoyed traditional Irish music performed by the students of Colรกiste na Trรณcaire, inspirational songs from the school choir led by Ms Jean OโBrien, as well as refreshments at the hotel.
Guest speakers included Anne Marie Quilligan and Chloe Markham, with entertainment rounded out by Keegan from Music Generation.
โWe want to acknowledge the great cooperation of all of the staff and principals of each school and extend a huge thank you to the Rathkeale Together Womenโs Group,โ said Denis Robinson, Rathkeale Togetherโs Community Development Officer.
โThey contributed to making the day an inclusive and welcoming celebration of International Womenโs Day.โ
Rathkeale Together is a joint venture between the Rathkeale community, West Limerick Resources, the Methodist Church, Church of Ireland, and the Roman Catholic Church.
It facilitates reconciliation and justice within and between the Traveller and settled communities of Rathkeale with events, programmes, and other initiatives.