Summer Talks in the National Library of Ireland, 2016. Sinead McCoole – Researching Revolutionary Ancestors.

Outline:

As part of the Ireland 2016 Centenary Programme Sinead McCoole has Curated a travelling exhibition on the role of women Mna 1916:2016. This exhibition covers the island of Ireland and looks at the role of women in the Rising and other political movements in 1916. In an illustrated lecture Curator Sinead McCoole discusses the search for women – giving some lessons on researching revolutionary ancestors, and will give guidance on sources and archives.

Biography:

Sinéad McCoole is a broadcaster and script writer – her work includes Guns and Chiffon and her latest work A Father's Letter is part of the After '16 Irish Film Board shorts commissioned for the centenary. 

She is the author of many books including the highly acclaimed Hazel, A Life of Lady Lavery and Easter Widows, the untold story of the wives of the executed leaders. This latter book was described by the Irish Times on publication as, combining 'the skill of the scrupulously conscientious researcher … with the … art of the novelist.'

In 2015 Sinead was seconded to Minister Humphrey's Department of Art, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs and has been a member of the 2016 Project Team, directed by John Concannon.  During her time at the Department she has curated the touring exhibition Mná 1916-2016