IS MUIDNE NA MNÁ | Bernie Joyce Artist

Is muidne na mná

Is muidne na mná a d’fhága

Ag taisteal thar muir'gus thar thír

Ag obair gach lá mar sclábhaí

Ina chónaí i dteach gan am saor

Is muidne na mná a chabhraigh,

Le dollars abhaile, go rialta

Chuir beatha ar boird den teaghlaigh

A thug dóchas ina gcuid saolta

Is muidne na mná i ndearmad

Nach luaitear i gcáipéis nó dán

Aitheantear na fir lena sluasaid

A thug turas, ar an mbád bán

Is muidne na mná atá imithe

Ná thainig, abhaile go deo

Na mílte as lathair uaidh baile

Mná Éireannach comh fada’s atá muid beo

- Bernie Seoighe

Is Muidne na Mná

Gallery

My recent work involved research on Irish female emigrants. These women have remained anonymous throughout history, and their achievements have been overlooked compared to their male counterparts. I have explored the social, economic, religious, and political reasons for leaving Ireland and how they lived in their new adoptive countries. St. Bridget was synonymously linked to the women in a derogatory manner as "Paddy" was to Irish men.

My body of work pays homage to these brave undocumented Bridget’s through film, paintings, and textile printmaking.

Many immigrants faced racism at some stage in their lives. The racist signs “No Blacks, No Irish, No Dogs” in accommodation windows had a far deeper impact on women as “No Children” was often added. During the height of The Troubles bomb alerts in Britain, created a fear of the Irish. In the 90’s a relative of mine was asked to leave a well-known upper-class establishment because of her accent. Today in Ireland we see the tables turned with tents and buildings burnt to “keep them out”.
In this work, the racist words are in Irish within the design of the net curtain covering the window frame.

To soothe their homesickness letters were vital in connecting with the homeland. During the famine years, women sent money home. The daughters were often sent aboard to help with the family finances as the sons worked the land. Once married the money stopped and according to records, this extra income boosted the Irish economy by 12%. Until recently, letters took two to three weeks for a reply.
This painting combines postal stamps, letters, writing and money. The
streamlined symbol of the Bon Voyage sticker emphasises the connection in distant communication.

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