The witch is a deeply important and appealing figure, and her story is more relevant than ever. Witches weren’t evil, and they certainly didn’t wear pointy black hats. Instead, society has long used the idea of the witch as a dumping ground for everything it fears or hates in women. Witches are old – too old to be sexy, too old to bear children – and even today, we stigmatise older women as “problematic” or “ugly”. Exploring the true history of witches reveals much about ourselves, how we got here, and how we can change.
But who hunted witches? Surprisingly, it wasn’t mostly men. It was often younger women, pressured by patriarchal systems to blame older women in exchange for temporary favour, that disappeared as they aged. This history still echoes today, as generational divides between women persist and even worsen. Learning about witches reminds us of the importance of solidarity between generations – why we must stand together to break free from these old patterns.
Doors open at 7pm, talk starts at 7:30pm - come down early to grab a good seat!
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Speaker Bio:
Amy O’Riordan is a queer Irish historian, content creator, and activist whose work brings Ireland’s hidden histories into the spotlight. As chairperson of their local Pride organisation and a youth work volunteer with LGBTQ+ young people, Amy is deeply committed to building inclusive, supportive communities. They are an intersectional feminist and passionate researcher of queer Irish history, challenging dominant narratives through education and storytelling. When they’re not knee-deep in archives or organising community events, you’ll find them curating cultural magic over on The Crafty Cailleach YouTube channel – where Irish folklore, feminism, and history meet with a sprinkle of magic and a witchy twist.
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