Importance of self-love stressed at domestic violence awareness event

Women attending the 13th annual event organised by Offaly Domestic Violence Support Service to mark International Women's Day were told earlier today (Monday) of the importance of self-love and acceptance.

The free event took place in the Bridge House Hotel and was attended by a large number of women drawn from various sections of the local community, including local Green Party Minister Pippa Hackett.

The gathering was addressed by three guest speakers, renowned singer-songwriter Tolü Makay, mental health and wellness advocate Alannah Sheehan, and champion boxer Gráinne Walsh, all of whom spoke about the importance of self-love and acceptance as a way of overcoming the challenges of life.

Tolü Makay spoke powerfully and movingly about her journey from Nigeria to Tullamore and the way in which music has inspired her throughout her life. She said she always wrote down her feelings on paper as a means of expressing herself. “I probably didn't know it at the time, but that was my entry into writing my own songs” she remarked.

The young singer-songwriter also paid tribute to Tullamore College, where she received her second-level education, for their culture of acceptance and for the way they embraced diversity. She finished her contribution with a powerful rendition of an old Irish song which she performed 'as Gaeilge.'

Mental health and wellness advocate, Alannah Sheehan, spoke of her terminal cancer diagnosis and how it has impacted her daily life as a wife and mother to three small children. She also urged women to practice self-love and acceptance of themselves. “It was only when I stopped being a people pleaser and started loving myself and accepting myself that I started getting stronger” she told the audience.

This was a message which was also conveyed to the event by Gráinne Walsh, who spoke of her journey in boxing and the challenges she has faced in overcoming injury over the past three years. She also spoke of the impact of social media, and said one of her coping mechanisms when things are not going well for her “is to sign off Instagram.”

Anne Clarke thanked the three guest speakers for their “powerful contributions” and said the service was “honoured” to have heard such inspirational stories.

* See full report in this week's Offaly Independent