The International Women’s Day Brunch, hosted by the Offaly Domestic Violence Support Service, is returning to Tullamore on Monday 6 March.
The event will be held in the Bridge House Hotel, Tullamore, from 12.45pm to 2pm. This is the 13th year of the event and previous guest speakers have included Majella O’Donnell and the late Vicky Phelan.
Speaking on this year’s event, CEO of the Offaly Domestic Violence Support Service (ODVSS), Anne Clarke, says, “our hope is that first of all, when women come together we can achieve such great things”.
Anne explains that women from all backgrounds attend the event each year, including women who have experienced domestic abuse, members of frontline services in Offaly and other women from the community.
“It really is an awareness of what we do and what we provide - and it is also a celebration of the courage it takes to take that first step [to disclose domestic abuse],” she says. “To show women that you have that resilience and you have that power within you and it is possible to see that light at the end of the tunnel. You can keep going. That really is the essence of our event.”
As for what inspired her to become part of the event, she says, “it was something I felt very strongly about, celebrating women on that day, and to have a parallel recognition of courage and strength.
“We have been so fortunate to have such amazing women in attendance and as our guest speakers.”
This year’s guest speakers include singer-songwriter Tolü Makay, mental health and wellness advocate Alannah Sheehan, and two-time European bronze medallist boxer Gráinne Walsh.
Tolü Makay is a singer-songwriter from Tullamore
Tolü Makay was born in Nigeria and raised in Tullamore. She is known for her heartfelt rendition of “N17” by The Saw Doctors. She is inspired by soulful artists and strives to write songs that will inspire and heal.
Alannah Sheehan is a mental health and wellness advocate
Alannah Sheehan is thriving with a terminal cancer diagnosis, living in the here and now. She is a chef, mother and wife among other things.
Gráinne Walsh, a two-time European bronze medallist boxer, is one of the guest speakers at this year's International Women's Day Brunch in Tullamore
Gráinne Walsh is the current Irish boxing champion at 66kg and is aiming to qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
“You can see that empowering line-up of women and we’re just so fortunate that we’ve been able to gather such strong women in the room,” says Anne.
“We hope people just have a good time and enjoy our speakers.”
The event is free and open to all women. Booking is required and can be done by emailing info@odvss.ie
Read more
Backchat: Drink Tea for MND this March
From a day job to award nominations in Holland, meet musician Lynn Campbell
The International Women’s Day Brunch, hosted by the Offaly Domestic Violence Support Service, is returning to Tullamore on Monday 6 March.
The event will be held in the Bridge House Hotel, Tullamore, from 12.45pm to 2pm. This is the 13th year of the event and previous guest speakers have included Majella O’Donnell and the late Vicky Phelan.
Speaking on this year’s event, CEO of the Offaly Domestic Violence Support Service (ODVSS), Anne Clarke, says, “our hope is that first of all, when women come together we can achieve such great things”.
Anne explains that women from all backgrounds attend the event each year, including women who have experienced domestic abuse, members of frontline services in Offaly and other women from the community.
“It really is an awareness of what we do and what we provide - and it is also a celebration of the courage it takes to take that first step [to disclose domestic abuse],” she says. “To show women that you have that resilience and you have that power within you and it is possible to see that light at the end of the tunnel. You can keep going. That really is the essence of our event.”
As for what inspired her to become part of the event, she says, “it was something I felt very strongly about, celebrating women on that day, and to have a parallel recognition of courage and strength.
“We have been so fortunate to have such amazing women in attendance and as our guest speakers.”
This year’s guest speakers include singer-songwriter Tolü Makay, mental health and wellness advocate Alannah Sheehan, and two-time European bronze medallist boxer Gráinne Walsh.
Tolü Makay is a singer-songwriter from Tullamore
Tolü Makay was born in Nigeria and raised in Tullamore. She is known for her heartfelt rendition of “N17” by The Saw Doctors. She is inspired by soulful artists and strives to write songs that will inspire and heal.
Alannah Sheehan is a mental health and wellness advocate
Alannah Sheehan is thriving with a terminal cancer diagnosis, living in the here and now. She is a chef, mother and wife among other things.
Gráinne Walsh, a two-time European bronze medallist boxer, is one of the guest speakers at this year's International Women's Day Brunch in Tullamore
Gráinne Walsh is the current Irish boxing champion at 66kg and is aiming to qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
“You can see that empowering line-up of women and we’re just so fortunate that we’ve been able to gather such strong women in the room,” says Anne.
“We hope people just have a good time and enjoy our speakers.”
The event is free and open to all women. Booking is required and can be done by emailing info@odvss.ie
Read more
Backchat: Drink Tea for MND this March
From a day job to award nominations in Holland, meet musician Lynn Campbell
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