DUCHORAIDH artist and community activist Dr Andrea Redmond is a featured artist in the West Belfast Festival- Feile an Phobail 2026 with an exhibit entitled- ‘Of goddesses and fighting women.’
It is a play on Augusta Gregory’s book of – ‘Gods and fighting men.’
In her exhibit Andrea has focused on themes relating to Donegal, depicting portraits of female figures out of the county’s distant and ancient history.
Her fighting women include those that have worked and lobbied for Donegal cultural and political rights, which includes a number of women active in Cumann na mBan from the Duchoraidh, Annagry and Lettermacaward areas, during the War of Independence and Civil War, including Eithne Coyle.
Dr Redmond stated that her aim “was to ensure that we honour these women’s contributions to our local history. So often their story is forgotten or in some cases they have been erased completely. I have met families whose loved ones received medals for their valour, and had no idea their loved ones played a crucial role in Irish history”, she noted.
Dr Redmond was the first female political muralist, painting her first mural in 1983 in Belfast.
Her exhibit continues in Belfast until August 9. She also has paintings on display at the Mary of Dungloe arts exhibition and the artist’s trail of windows in the town.
Her hope is to expand the exhibition with a one-woman solo show.
The piece titled ‘Bridget Boyle’.