Ballaghaderreen students honour legacy of political activist Anne Deane

The legacy of pioneering Ballaghaderreen-born businesswoman and political activist, Anne Deane, was remembered and celebrated through a youth-led exhibition and video performance at Ballaghaderreen Arts Festival.

‘The Cherry Blossom Tales’ project, which was a collaboration between multidisciplinary artist and writer, Dr. Anna King, and students from St. Nathy’s College, honours the life of Anne Deane (1834–1905). A remarkable businesswoman and owner of Monica Duff & Co., Anne was also a political activist who played a leading role in the Ladies’ Land League, serving as president of its Dublin branch.

Despite her leadership, Anne Deane’s role has largely been overlooked in mainstream historical narratives. This ongoing project seeks to shed light on her legacy and the wider impact of the women who stepped forward during one of Ireland’s most turbulent political struggles.

Formed in January 1881, at a time when women were excluded from public and political life, the Ladies’ Land League emerged during a period of intense conflict and hardship, fuelled by exploitative landowning practices that led to widespread poverty, mass evictions, and the threat of starvation.

The movement gained momentum following the imprisonment of male Land League leaders under the Coercion Act, when women stepped in to continue the struggle. In response, women across Ireland established more than 500 branches; delivered public speeches; coordinated legal aid and relief; built emergency housing for evicted families; and kept the Land War alive. Anne Deane, along with Anna and Fanny Parnell (sisters of Charles Stewart Parnell), led this groundbreaking movement with courage and strategic vision.

Despite their achievements, the women faced widespread ridicule, often labelled “patriots in petticoats” or the “screaming sisterhood.” The idea for ‘The Cherry Blossom Tales’ was sparked in 2024, when Margaret Garvey shared how she had once saved the last remaining cherry tree in the garden of Dillon House from being cut down.

That simple act of care, rooted in Margaret’s deep love for Ballaghaderreen’s hidden histories, planted the seed for a project that has since grown into a vibrant tribute to place-based storytelling and youth creativity.

While the garden no longer remains, the tree still stands in Ballaghaderreen as a quiet landmark; a living witness to the past and a symbol at the heart of the project. In a fitting gesture, Margaret opened the event with her own moving and spirited recollections of the town’s past. Dillon House is a landmark of great political and cultural significance.

It was once home to the Dillon family dynasty, whose members included John Blake Dillon, a founder of the Young Irelanders; John Dillon, a leading figure in the Irish Parliamentary Party; and James Dillon, who later led Fine Gael.

Anne Deane, the niece of John Blake Dillon, was closely connected to the political gatherings and ideas that flowed through Dillon House, which served as a hub for national debate and reform. Supported by Creative Ireland and Roscommon County Council, the exhibition showcased a wide range of student work, including bold oil paintings, expressive acrylics, photography, and reflective writing.

A short film also shown at the exhibition during Ballaghaderreen Arts Festival, featured a performance of a fictional conversation between Anne Deane and Michael Davitt, imagined beneath the blossoms of the last cherry tree.

“Anne Deane lived in a time when women were told to ‘remember the modesty of their sex,’” said Dr. King. “Yet she led one of the most organised and radical women’s movements this country has ever seen. Through the arts, students not only learned about this history; they felt it, imagined it, and brought it to life.” ‘The Cherry Blossom Tales’ marked the first public exhibition for many of the students, and the response was overwhelming.

Audience members were deeply moved by the calibre of the work and the emotional resonance of the theme. In the coming weeks, selected student work and behind-the-scenes insights will be shared online, allowing the conversation to continue. Keep an eye on Anna’s instagram to see how the project develops @contemplative_art_ An online version of the exhibition will go live next week: at www.annaking.ie Student Contributors: Painters: Brooke Coleman, Meeko Yu, Sonya Radchenko, Maya Villarojo Omaui, and Leo Horan. Woodwork: Kieran Henderson. Video Performers: Henry Black, Brooke Coleman, Jack Cummins, Oisín Llewellyn, Aaron Fox Musicians: Megan Walsh, Aisling Maloney, and Luke Halvey.

Special thanks to Creative Ireland (Áine Butler), Roscommon County Council (Rhona McGrath & Mary Smyth), St. Nathy's College (Karen Munnelly, Father Martin Henry, Conor O’Connell, Margaret Garvey, Ballaghaderreen Arts Festival, Michael Davitt Museum, National Library of Ireland, Durkin’s Ballaghaderreen, and Creative Places Ballaghaderreen.