The essential and often overlooked role played by the women of Kerry during the revolutionary period in Ireland has been acknowledged with the unveiling of a commemorative sculpture in Tralee Town Park.

The landmark memorial—the first of its kind in the country and the first ever commissioned by a local authority—follows a proposal from the female elected members of Kerry County Council. Former and current councillors Norma Moriarty, Aoife Thornton, Deirdre Ferris, Maura Healy-Rae, and Marie Moloney brought forward the motion in 2023, seeking a fitting tribute to the vital contribution of Kerry women between 1912 and 1923.

Titled ‘Spiorad Bán Chiarraí’ (Spirit of the Kerry Women), the 2.5-metre (100-inch) bronze artwork was created by award-winning sculptor Elizabeth O’Kane. The piece depicts a woman in period uniform marching forward while raising the Irish flag. Her determined expression and raised chin signify courage, resilience, and leadership.

To ensure precise historical accuracy, O’Kane referenced original uniforms associated with Cumann na mBan and Cumann na Saoirse, complete with a Sam Browne belt and Slouch hat. The sculpture was supported by funding from the Department of Housing and Local Government under the Percent for Art Scheme.

"The sculpture was a year and a half in the making, from sculpting the larger-than-life-size clay figure in my studio to the many months of highly skilled bronze casting carried out in a Dublin foundry," said Elizabeth O’Kane.

"From start to finish, it has been a labour of love—artists often claim to suffer for their work, but I have the X-ray to prove it! A fractured wrist in the middle of the project was extremely untimely, but I am immensely proud of the final result. It has been a privilege to commemorate the women of this period with a sculpture that celebrates their courage, sacrifice, and enduring legacy."

O’Kane was awarded the commission following an open competition. A member of the Society of Portrait Sculptors, her work is also featured in Leinster House, the European Parliament, Shannon Airport, and Irish embassies in London and Washington.

Unveiling the piece alongside fellow elected members, Mayor of Tralee Cllr Angie Baily described the sculpture as an evocative tribute to the diverse roles women played in the years leading up to Irish independence.

"This is a beautiful memorial which reflects the wide and diverse roles of Kerry women during the revolution, whether they took part in combat or contributed to a wide range of social, cultural, and political activities and organisations like Cumann na mBan," Cllr Baily said. "Sadly, for too long, the story of these women during this period was sidelined and ignored, and I believe that this sculpture will encourage new engagement with the remarkable role of the women of Kerry during this formative and turbulent time."