Presentation on Flags
The Starry Plough
The Starry Plough (1914) [Image Source]
The Starry Plough is the flag of the Irish Citizen Army and was flown over the Imperial Hotel on Sackville Street (now O'Connel Street) during the 1916 Easter Rising. The Irish Citizen Army was the first socialist army and included both men and women in their ranks, such as James Connolly, Constance Markievicz, and Michael Mallin. The Starry Plough symbolises the dual cause of Irish Republicanism and Socialism. The original flag is now held in The National Museum of Ireland. You can read an article on the conservation and history of the flad by textile conservationist Rachel Phelan here.
Do you recognise this flag?
As a student of NCAD you have passed by the symbol of the Starry Plough everyday you set foot on campus and might not realise it. In 2016 a plaque commemorating the men, women and young people who served with the Irish Citizen Army (ICA) during the revolutionary period 1913 – 1923 was unveiled in the courtyard. You can watch the unveiling ceremony here.
repeal
Campaign to Repeal the Eighth Amendment Archive
The Artists' Campaign to Repeal the Eighth Amendment was set up in 2015 by visual artists Cecily Brennan, Alice Maher, Eithne Jordan, and the poet Paula Meehan. It began as an online campaign appealing to fellow artists, writers, musicians, and actors to put their names to a statement calling for a repeal of the Eighth Amendment of the Constitution of Ireland (Article 40.3.3). The campaign group aimed to promote national and international awareness of the restrictive reproductive laws of Ireland and to encourage and inspire other groups and activists to use cultural means to promote social change.
The group went on to have a large presence at various demonstration marches including March for Choice (2016 & 2017), Strike for Repeal (2017), and International Women's Day (2018). Exhibitions and events included Day of Testimonies (2017) held at Project Arts Centre, Art and Action (2017) held at NCAD Gallery, EVA International Biennial (2018) held in Limerick, various Shred It events (2017-2018), 20 Seconds for Yes (2018) and Witness (2018).
Banners formed a central part of the visual work of the campaign.
