After two years of mainly virtual events, International Women’s Day on Tuesday March 8 2022 offers a great excuse to get together with friends and colleagues to celebrate women. Many webinars and virtual get-togethers seem to be thrown up into existence and shot into our inboxes for the sake of it, but for once, we have an invitation or two to step into the outside world…

The choice is up to you. Perhaps there is more value in acknowledging and appreciating the efforts and excellence of the women around us, at an art gallery, listening to words and vocals of poetic and musical artists. Or perhaps, the day could be used to stoke some motivational fires – maybe in attending drinks with female solicitors in the company of a natural leader in the sport world, talking about resolving problems and taking accountability in moments of uncertainty.

However we might choose to utilise a day specifically designed for our celebration, the fact remains, we would be foolish not to take advantage of the extra appreciation and inspiration. Here are six ways to celebrate International Women’s Day on March 8 2022.

Step into the worlds of sport and law at #BreaktheBias: Women at Work: Leman Solicitors at the Mayson Hotel

Tricia Heberle was Chef de Mission of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics when disaster struck – a global pandemic. What to do? There is no emergency manual in this scenario, so for a leader of the number one largest sporting event in the world, Heberle navigated her role day by day, and drew on her experiences as an international hockey player to make each big decision. To discuss moments of uncertainty in leadership and how to navigate them, she will join Leman Solicitors’ International Women’s Day event, ‘BreaktheBias: Women at Work’, hosted by the firm’s all-women Employment Team, at the new Mayson Hotel in North Wall Quay in Dublin on Tuesday 8 March, at 6pm.

To register for this free event, please visit the Leman Solicitors website.

Muse upon history and literature at this International Women’s Day Talk at Kilkenny Castle 

This year to mark International Women’s day, OPW-Kilkenny Castle will host a free talk by Dr Naomi McAreavey, lecturer of Renaissance literature at University College Dublin, on the “Women in the Letters of the First Duchess of Ormonde”.

The first duke and duchess of Ormonde were the ultimate power couple of 17th-century Ireland. But while James Butler (1610–88) is well known to Irish history, his wife Elizabeth Butler, née Preston (1615–84) is not. Yet Elizabeth’s 300-odd surviving letters – the subject of a forthcoming exhibition in Kilkenny Castle – reveal her importance in the social, cultural, and political life of 17th-century Ireland. In this talk, Dr Naomi McAreavey will demonstrate the importance of the duchess’s female friendships and alliances to her activities, arguing that the mobilisation of her female network helped optimise her family’s political position and ensure their adaptability and survival during periods of crisis.

To register for Dr McAreavey’s talk, please visit the event page.

Celebrate craft and skill at WE MAKE ART – An International Women’s Day Event 

WE MAKE ART is a celebration of women makers and artists coming together to share their work in The Workman’s Club’s Vintage Room, on March 8. Starting at 4pm in The Vintage Room of The Workman’s Club, a collection of crafters shall market their works until 8pm, whereupon the space will host performances by wonderful women artists. Featured at the event are Maeve O’Sullivan, celebrated Dublin poet and author, Republic of Shame writer Caelainn Hogan, the hilarious renowned professional comedian Aine Gallagher (pictured) and vocal and guitar duo Re Route, to name but a few.

Tickets are €12 – to purchase, please go to the event page.

Foster a network at AllBright MEETS Dublin – International Women’s Day Special

Women need networks – and the past two years have done us no favours in allowing us to set up groups for potential collaborators, business partners, or contacts. AllBright is all about creating environments for women to connect, create and network, and the UK company are bringing their service to Dublin on International Women’s Day, in the hopes of connecting likeminded Irish women interested in their cause. So far, their events have done well to charge up some good inspiration and contact, according to their testimonials – so head along if in search for new connections.

 The night will take place at Farrier & Draper at 6pm, and the ticket will include two drink tokens and canapés.

Book your ticket here.

Support women artists by picking up a new tee or tote at Mango

An example of a fashion brand using the day and its own influence for valuable good, is Mango’s efforts to support artistic talent. Mexican artist Ana Leovy works with gouache and acrylics to create vibrant and resilient representations of women in her art. Mango and Leovy are collaborating now on the launch of a capsule collection, featuring two T-shirts and a tote bag for the Spanish brand’s Woman line that feature the artist’s illustrations, made from sustainable materials.

Shop the Ana Leovy International Women’s Day tote here.

Take a tour of The Hugh Lane gallery on International Women’s Day

February is a month where inspiration can be stagnant – after all, it’s an in-between state of affairs in February – so a tour of an iconic art gallery could be key for International Women’s Day, and just what we need to kick off the month of March. Join Aoife Convery, resident tour guide at The Hugh Lane gallery, for a tour exploring the work of women artists (such as Grace Henry – pictured) in the museum’s collection. The tour will begin at 1pm and is totally free.

Book your spot on the tour here.

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