Dr Micheline Sheehy Skeffington will visit Tipperary to speak about landmark gender equality case

Dr Micheline Sheehy Skeffington is a distinguished plant ecologist, feminist and activist. She is currently serving as the President of the Botanical Society of Britain and Irelandplaceholder image
Dr Micheline Sheehy Skeffington is a distinguished plant ecologist, feminist and activist. She is currently serving as the President of the Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland

Event takes place in the Thomas MacDonagh Museum in Cloughjordan

Ten years ago, in November 2014, the Equality Tribunal instructed NUIG (now University of Galway) to immediately promote Dr Micheline Sheehy Skeffington and pay her €70,000 in damages. The tribunal had determined that Dr Sheehy Skeffington had clearly been discriminated against of the grounds of her gender.

Dr Sheehy Skeffington then donated the €70,000 to five other women academics who had also been passed over for promotion, thus kickstarting the "Micheline’s Three Conditions Campaign". This four-year epic struggle, filled with twists and turns, aimed to secure promotions for the five deserving women, and ended with a triumphant and uplifting finale.

Micheline has joined journalist Rose Foley in documenting the entire campaign in the book Micheline’s Three Conditions: How We Fought Gender Inequality at Galway’s University and Won. 

It is a chronicle of Micheline's remarkable achievements and offers an invaluable blueprint for those seeking similar justice. Through extensive research, including interviews and archival materials, Rose Foley and Micheline Sheehy Skeffington have created a compelling narrative that candidly explores the highs and lows of their incredible journey.

On St Brigid's Day, Sheelagh na Gig bookshop in Cloughjordan, Tipperary is welcoming Micheline to talk about this historic campaign. After Micheline's talk, there will be time for questions and reflections on what has changed in the ten years since the Equality Tribunal verdict.

The event, hosted by Sheelagh na Gig bookshop, takes place in the Thomas MacDonagh Museum on Thursday, February 1 at 7.30pm. Micheline’s visit to the museum is exciting and significant as her grandparents, Hanna and Francis Sheehy Skeffington, were close friends of Thomas and Muriel MacDonagh. A reception and book signing follows in Sheelagh na Gig bookshop, Main Street, Cloughjordan.

Tickets are free but limited and can be booked on Eventbrite or directly with Sheelagh na Gig bookshop.

Powered by
Register
Follow us
© 2026 Formpress Publishing LTD. All rights reserved.Cookie SettingsTerms and ConditionsPrivacy notice