Trinity College’s powerful tribute to Ashling Murphy
Trinity College Dublin paid a poignant tribute to the late Ashling Murphy on Monday night last, on the eve of St Brigid's Day, by illuminating her graduation photo on the facade of the historic city centre building.
It formed part of the Herstory Light Show to celebrate St Brigid's Day on February 1, which saw iconic landmarks in Dublin and Kildare including Trinity College Dublin, the GPO, Kildare Cathedral, Kilkea Castle and more lit up in spectacular fashion in honour of St Brigid, a spirited youth activist, feminist and environmentalist who fearlessly championed the rights of the poor and animals.
Herstory and the Irish second-level students union presented 'STUDENT POWER', a spectacular #Herstory Light Show to amplify student voices and spotlight the causes close to their hearts: climate action, girl’s education, mental health, racism, migrants rights, preserving indigenous cultures and more.
The event attended by large crowds began with a one minute silence for Ashling and all victims of domestic violence. Ashling was a cherished primary school teacher who nurtured her first class students at Durrow National School. Only recently she was a student herself and graduated from Limerick's teacher training college Mary Immaculate College four months ago.
“Never before in history have young people risen up together on this scale across the world. Power to students as they lead the light,” says Herstory CEO & Creative Director Melanie Lynch, who hails from the Westmeath town of Mullingar. Founded in 2016, the Herstory movement tells the stories of modern, historic and mythic women. Our mission is to give the public authentic female role models and a game-changing education programme.
The timely event followed HerStory’s successful campaign to make Brigid’s Day Ireland’s new public holiday from 2023, in celebration of our Celtic Saint, and Imbolc, the ancient festival of Spring.
This is the first public holiday named in honour of a woman and high time as Ireland already has four holidays named after men: Jesus, Patrick and Stephen. What a victory for all mná!