Photographic Exhibition 
Daring to Hope: Irish Religious Sisters Embracing the Unknown (1923-2023)
Throughout the last 100 years, the focus of Irish Religious Sisters, underpinned by Gospel Values, was to go where there was the most need. Their initiative and courage continues today as is evident in the pioneering responses and commitment of Sisters and their colleagues to ‘the Cry of the Earth and the Cry of the Poor” (Pope Francis, Laudato Si:49) both in Ireland and overseas.
A voluntary group has developed a photographic exhibition to share the multifaced story of Irish Religious Sisters between 1923-2023, coinciding with the centenary of the Irish Sate. This is an opportune moment to reflect on the social history of the Sisters’ journey throughout the past 100 years.
Working alongside committed colleagues, Sisters built schools, hospitals and social services, many of which they staffed, in response to social change and urgent need.
The exhibition was officially launched by Caoimhe de Barra, CEO of Trocaire on October 3rd 2023 in Iveagh House, Department of Foreign Affairs hosted by Minister Sean Fleming, Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs with special responsibility for International Development and Diaspora. Since then, the exhibition has travelled around Ireland and in Rome, Italy. It was hosted at St. Isidore’s Franciscan Friary, for St. Brigid’s Day celebration at the invitation of Frances Collins, Irish Ambassador to the Holy See.
Forthcoming Venues in 2024
- June 27 – July 1: Augustinians, O’Connell Street, Limerick
- July 12-15: Kilrush Parish, Kilrush, Co. Clare
- July 18-21: Kimmage Manor Parish, Kimmage, Dublin
- August 8: Franciscan Convent Ballinasloe, Co. Galway
- August 9: Salesian Sisters, Ard Mhuire, Limerick
- August 14-22: Knock Shrine, Knock Co. Mayo
- August 19-25: National Heritage Week, Sisters of St. John of God, Co. Wexford
- September 6-9: Our Lady of the Assumption Parish, Booterstown
- October 16- 21: St. Patrick’s Roman Catholic Cathedral, Armagh, Northern Ireland
- October 22-25: Trinity College Dublin, Dublin.
Past Venues 2023-24
- AMRI AGM at the Tullamore Court Hotel (27–28 September 2023)
- Iveagh House, Department of Foreign Affairs, Dublin (Launch, 3 October 2023)
- Kylemore Abbey, Connemara, Co. Galway (5– 12 October 2023)
- Cuan Mhuire Treatment Centre, Athy, Co. Kildare (13 – 15 October 2023)
- Nano Nagle Place, Cork (24– 30 November 2023)
- SMA Parish Centre, Wilton, Cork (1– 6 December 2023)
- Medical Missionaries of Mary Motherhouse on the Anniversary of the foundress Mother Mary Martin, Drogheda (24 – 28 January 2024)
- Isidore’s Franciscan Friary, Rome, Italy (1 February 2024)
- UISG offices, Rome, Italy (2-3 February 2024)
- Christ the King Parish Centre, Cabra, Dublin (21-25 February 2024)
- Dominican Resource Centre, Cabra Dublin (29 April-2 May 2024)
- Association for Church Archives of Ireland, AGM (11 May 2024)
- Columban Sisters, Magheramore, Co. Wicklow (June 5-9 2024)
For more information contact: 2023agentsofchange@gmail.com
