Plaque for Constance Markievicz

[CountessConstanceMarkievicz]

Name change for this one!

I’ve just set up a petition to get a Blue Plaque in London for Constance Markievicz. She was denied one in 2006, despite being born in London. She’s the first female MP, and yet she doesn’t have any presence in the public realm in London. And only 15% of Blue Plaques in London are for women, so it feels like this should be rectified. Anyway, I’ve set up a petition and thought Craicnet would be a good place to share it. Please help me get to 500 signatures - please sign and share!

https://www.change.org/ConstanceMarkieviczPlaque

Great idea @CountessConstanceMarkievicz.
Will sign and share.

Done! Love Countess Markievicz, I visit Lissadell House where she was brought up in Sligo every summer

Isn’t she incredible?! The more I learn, the more excited I get. What a woman.

I’ve been fascinated by how few of my friends and colleagues have even heard of her, even the switched-on super feminists. She seems to have been totally airbrushed from popular culture. I know that’s not technically true because her story has been told a million times in lots of different ways, but it doesn’t seem to have the cut-through on this side of the Irish Sea (I’m in Manchester)

I know of her through reading about her sister Eva Gore Booth. Also a fascinating woman. I've not been to Lissadell, but I'm planning a trip to Ireland and it'll be on the visit list.

@rumred I just love the stories about the barmaids! Eva was also a major legend

Im afraid Lisadell isn't even a tenth as good as it should be given the materials they have to work with. There are multiple fascinating aspects of the house - the Gore Booths sisters of course but also the Yeats connection, how Lisadell/the family was a hive of rural innovation and cooperative endeavour. That's even before you do the Big House story. I was so cross that the State didn't buy it when they got the chance, it could be a jewel but unfortunately isn't.

Lisadell is of no architectural significance , it was in a bad state of repair and all the valuable objet d'art , paintings etc had been removed too afaik. Yeats visited but there are many places of which that can be said. So that leaves the Constance connection. Perhaps a blue plaque on her birthplace would be apt though.

I think that's very harsh! We are not coming down with indoor tourist attractions in the North West, it could be great. And the setting is beautiful. I visited Florence Court last summer before Lisadell which has far far less going for it but it has cared for well and presented in its best light.

Have you contacted the @ Attagirls on Twitter?
They may do a feature on her and share your petition.

I've signed and shared to a couple of people I know who are big fans of Constance!

That's a good idea!

Thank you for all your suggestions - it’s getting some decent traction now.

I’ll contact the Attagirls too - great shout!

Does anyone have any other suggestions of where to share? I’m currently trawling Facebook looking for Irish culture groups etc

Thanks again, you wonderful women!

Signed and shared for my late Irish nana. Love Connie !

Ah, the Rebel Countess! I grew up in London with Irish parents who taught me about her. Signed!