Máire Holmes Honors Margaretta D’Arcy at Nollaig na mBan

Poet Máire Holmes captivated attendees with a reading from Margaretta D’Arcy’s memoir Loose Theatre during a heartfelt Nollaig na mBan event at the Calway Rowing Club in Galway on January 6, 2026. The gathering honored the late activist and playwright, who passed away in November 2025 at age 91 after a lifetime of peace advocacy and theatrical innovation.​

Event Highlights

Nollaig na mBan, or Women’s Little Christmas, traditionally celebrates women on January 6, marking the end of the Christmas season with gatherings focused on community and reflection. Holmes, editor-in-chief of The Galway Review and a bilingual poet with an MA in Writing from NUIG, shared excerpts from D’Arcy’s vivid memoir, which blends autobiography, activism, and guerrilla theatre accounts. The event featured music, poetry, spoken word, and videos, drawing a crowd to remember D’Arcy’s fearless protests against war and injustice.​

Lasting Legacy

D’Arcy, an Aosdána member and collaborator with John Arden, faced imprisonment for her stands on issues like Shannon Airport military use and nuclear disarmament. Captured by photographer Mike Shaughnessy, the moment underscored Galway’s vibrant literary scene, honouring bold voices like hers.

​Photo: Mike Shaughnessy