Dublin City Council publishes new book on Sarah Cecilia Harrison – Artist, Social Campaigner and City Councillor

(Pictured is from left is Editor, art historian and curator of the book Dr. Margarita Cappock with Lord Mayor, Alison Gilliland Photo Chris Bellew/ Fennell Photography.)

Lord Mayor, Alison Gilliland, yesterday launched the publication of Sarah Cecilia Harrison Artist, Social Campaigner and City Councillor at an event in Dublin’s City Hall.

Edited by art historian and curator Dr. Margarita Cappock it captures the life and work of a compelling woman, a true trailblazer.

Speaking at the launch Lord Mayor Alison Gilliland said:

“As a city councillor I very much welcome this book on Sarah Cecilia Harrison, Dublin’s first female city councillor.

“What a trail she blazed in 1912 when she ran for municipal election and won a seat as an independent councillor.

“I imagine, as she took her seat, she realised the enormous significance of her achievement in the cause of women in politics.

“With her win, she had ushered in an historic moment for the city; henceforth the hundreds of years of male only municipal governance was a thing of the past.

“That Harrison was also a talented artist and social campaigner makes her even more remarkable and so deserving of recognition.”

Sarah Cecilia Harrison self portrait

Sarah Cecelia Harrison (1863 -1941) was a talented portrait painter who also immersed herself in the political and social fabric of Dublin life, becoming the first female elected as a Dublin City Councillor in 1912.

Deeply involved in philanthropic, political, civic and artistic efforts, she was an activist for votes for women who also committed her time to the issues faced by tenement dwellers and the unemployed and was an early promoter of the allotment movement.

A staunch supporter and ally of Hugh Lane in the establishment of a modern art gallery for Dublin, she worked tirelessly for this cause.

In tandem with her artistic talents, Harrison was a progressive and enlightened woman but her contribution to the cultural and political life of Dublin has previously been overlooked.

Margarita Cappock said,  “Sarah Cecilia Harrison was a political pioneer, talented portraitist and tireless campaigner but her significant contribution to the city of Dublin has been overlooked and she is one of the forgotten women of Irish history  but this new book will highlight her achievements, not least her beautiful artworks.”

This publication, generously illustrated with paintings by Harrison, restores and champions Harrison’s rightful position in the history of Dublin.

The authors have focused on her work as a councillor with Dublin Corporation, her professional training in the Slade School of Fine Art in London, her involvement in the campaign for women’s suffrage in Ireland and her friendship with Hugh Lane with essays by Ciarán Wallace, Hannah Baker, Senia Pašeta and Margarita Cappock.

This new book also includes a timeline, a catalogue of Sarah Cecilia Harrison’s paintings, a bibliography and index.

Sarah Cecilia Harrison Artist, Social Campaigner and City Councillor is available in all good bookshops and can also be ordered in through www.fourcourtspress.ie