Nollaig na mBan – Why We Should Still Celebrate it in the Modern Day

This special day, long celebrated in Ireland, is a tribute to the women who make Christmas memorable. It appreciates their efforts to have the holiday run smoothly. Historically, it was a chance for women to take a well-earned break while men took over domestic duties. This included everything from cooking, cleaning, and yes, even the dreaded task of taking down the Christmas tree.

That said, Nollaig na mBan isn’t as widely celebrated as it once was. While it’s certainly seen a rise in popularity, today it’s almost exclusively known as the day you take your Christmas tree down. But it shouldn’t be. Domestic labour might be more evenly distributed in the modern day, but there are still disparities. It highlights the importance of gender balance in responsibilities and honours women’s roles, both in the home and in broader society. It also preserves a meaningful piece of Irish culture which is worth passing down to future generations.

If nothing else, NolIaig na mBan is a time where we should remember and celebrate the incredible output from Irish women, whether they be our own friends and family, or famous leaders, celebrities, and sports people. By celebrating Nollaig na mBan, we can honour its traditional roots while adapting it to contemporary values of equality, empowerment, and appreciation for women’s roles in society.

To honour this occasion, here are a few remarkable women from the Irish diaspora whose resilience and determination continue to inspire us today, women who turned their back on “traditional” roles, or achieved greatness outside the home despite them. Women who make celebrating this little Irish tradition totally worthwhile.

Deirdre Gogarty

Deirdre Gogarty’s story is a poignant testament to resilience, made all the more inspiring by the domino effect her trailblazing efforts had on Irish boxing. While Ireland has produced many female sporting legends – like Geraldine Heaney in hockey, Mabel Cahill in tennis, and Sarah (Fanny) Cusack in swimming – Gogarty’s journey stands out for its profound impact on the sport and its future stars, including Katie Taylor and Kellie Harrington.

When the Irish Boxing Union refused to sanction women’s matches, Gogarty emigrated, determined to pursue professional boxing despite the barriers. Fighting 23 times, with 16 wins, five defeats, and two draws, her career highlights include competing on the undercard of Mike Tyson vs. Frank Bruno in 1996 and becoming a world champion in 1997. Her achievements laid the groundwork for Ireland’s current prominence in women’s boxing.

Gogarty’s resilience is not only evident in her own accomplishments but in the legacy she created, opening doors for a new generation of athletes. Without her example, Ireland’s incredible success in female boxing might never have reached the heights it enjoys today. Her story underscores the power of perseverance in transforming obstacles into opportunities, inspiring athletes and breaking barriers for women in sport.

 

Ninette de Valois

Ninette de Valois, born Edris Stannus in Blessington, Co. Wicklow, overcame adversity from the very start. Her father, disappointed at having another daughter, refused to celebrate her birth. This would only set the stage for a life in which she constantly had to prove herself. The family later moved to Kent, but not before Ninette discovered a love for Irish dancing. Encouraged by her mother, she began formal lessons. By age 14, she was touring with a dance company under her adopted stage name.

Over her extraordinary career, de Valois revolutionised English ballet. She also founded the Abbey Theatre School of Ballet in Dublin, collaborating with W. B. Yeats to integrate dance into Irish cultural expression. Perhaps most remarkable was her relentless pursuit of self-improvement; despite her renown, she never stopped taking lessons, always striving to perfect her craft.

Viewed through that lens, de Valois’ life exemplifies perseverance, adaptability, and a commitment to excellence. Her ability to overcome personal and professional challenges while reshaping the world of ballet speaks to her indomitable spirit and enduring legacy.

Throughout her life, de Valois received numerous accolades, including being appointed a Dame of the British Empire in 1951 and a Companion of Honour in 1980. She was also awarded the Order of Merit in 1992, reflecting her significant contributions to the arts.

 

Kay McNulty

Kay McNulty’s story is a remarkable tale of perseverance and overlooked brilliance. Despite her pioneering work programming the ENIAC, the world’s first electronic general-purpose computer, she received little to no recognition at the time, Most of the credit instead went to her husband. Social norms of the era relegated her to raising their seven children while her expertise remained largely unacknowledged.

McNulty’s journey began in Ireland, but it was her emigration to Philadelphia that allowed her to access opportunities in education and mathematics. Her mother’s encouragement to “prove that Irish immigrants could be as good, if not better, than anybody” fuelled her ambition. Excelling in mathematics, Kay became one of the original six female programmers of the ENIAC. This role required ingenuity and problem-solving skills far beyond the job’s formal description.

McNulty’s determination to excel in a male-dominated field despite systemic barriers is extraordinary. She continued her groundbreaking work without expectation of recognition, driven purely by her love for mathematics and computing. Decades later, her contributions were finally acknowledged. McNulty’s lasting impact on technology was highlighted and the importance of recognising women’s roles in shaping history was emphasised. Her story is an enduring inspiration, showcasing the power of perseverance in the face of inequality.

 

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Annie Besant

Annie Besant was a pioneering activist whose work spanned workers’ rights, gender equality, and independence movements during the 19th and early 20th centuries. After witnessing the harsh conditions faced by labourers in Manchester, she became deeply involved in socialist and labour movements. She advocated for fair wages, education, and improved working conditions. Annie renounced Christianity, leading to separation from her husband and losing custody of her son. This personal sacrifice fuelled her determination to fight for social justice.

Besant became a vocal advocate for birth control, co-publishing The Fruits of Philosophy, a pamphlet providing information on contraception. Her arrest and conviction for obscenity drew widespread attention to reproductive rights, challenging societal norms of the time. Beyond her work on gender and class issues, she became a prominent supporter of Home Rule in both Ireland and India. Eventually she would serve as the first woman president of the Indian National Congress in 1917.

Despite facing significant personal and societal challenges, Besant’s resilience and commitment to justice left an enduring legacy. It shaped early conversations about reproductive freedom, workers’ rights, and national independence.

 

The Gore-Booth Sisters

The Gore-Booth sisters, Constance and Eva, came from a life of privilege. However, they chose to dedicate themselves to fighting for the disadvantaged. While Constance is widely known in Irish history as Countess Markievicz, Eva’s contributions, though equally impactful, are less celebrated. Together, their lives reflect a shared commitment to justice and equality, though they pursued these goals in very different ways.

Eva Gore-Booth was a poet, suffragist, and social reformer whose quiet activism focused on improving the lives of the vulnerable. Alongside her partner, Esther Roper, she championed women’s suffrage, labour rights, and anti-trafficking efforts. Through this, she managed to empower working-class women through unions and campaigns. Eva was also a pacifist, advocating for peace during World War I and advancing equality through nonviolent means. Her legacy is one of determined advocacy for social justice, leaving a lasting mark on the causes she championed.

Countess Constance Markievicz, in contrast, became a revolutionary leader and an icon of Ireland’s struggle for independence. A commander during the 1916 Easter Rising, she was the first woman elected to the British Parliament. She abstained in line with Sinn Féin’s policy and instead served as Minister for Labour in the first Dáil. She co-founded Cumann na mBan, mobilising women in the nationalist cause, and worked tirelessly to improve living conditions for Dublin’s poor. Constance’s fearless leadership and groundbreaking political achievements cemented her place in history.

Despite their different approaches, both sisters turned their backs on privilege to fight for justice, equality, and the rights of the disadvantaged. Their resilience and dedication to making a difference – whether through revolutionary action or quiet reform – make them figures to be celebrated and remembered to this day.

You can learn more about the incredible women, including those named here, from the Irish diaspora at EPIC. Get your tickets for the museum at epicchq.com. And to all who celebrate, we wish you a very happy Nollaig na mBan.

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