Single Issue – Reflections on the experience of one parent families in Ireland

The fourth annual Sherie deBurgh commemorative seminar jointly hosted by One Family and School of Social Work and Social Policy, Trinity College Dublin will explore the experiences of one-parent families in Ireland and reflect on the historical significance of the foundation of Cherish/One Family in 1972. Prof Lindsey Earner-Byrne will give a keynote examining the historical challenges faced by one-parent families, in-particular single mothers, followed by a panel discussion considering the experiences of one-parent families now, and what the state and society can do to support them into the future.

Event details:

Date: Thursday, 23rd February 2023

Time: 6pm – 8pm

Location: TRiSS Seminar Room, Room C6.002, 6th Floor, Arts Building, Trinity College Dublin, the University of Dublin and live via Zoom.

Panel:

Chair:

  • Dr Catherine Conlon – Assistant Professor, Social Policy School of Social Work and Social Policy Trinity College Dublin.

Speakers:

  • Dr Lindsey Earner-Byrne – Professor, School of History, University College Cork – Professor Earner-Byrne will examine the treatment of one-parent families in Ireland and reflect on the historical significance of the foundation of Cherish/One Family in 1972.
  • Ivana Bacik – Leader of the Labour Party – Ms Bacik will speak about the work and findings of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Gender Equality and the push for a referendum on articles 41 of the Constitution.
  • Laura McGarrigle, Assistant Secretary General, DCEDIY – Ms McGarrigle will discuss Government plans for the new National Centre for Research and Remembrance as well as recent legislation on safeguarding of records.
  • Karen Kiernan – CEO of One Family – Ms Kiernan will speak about the current work of Cherish/One Family and the challenges facing one-parent families now and what the state can do to support these families.

More details to be added shortly.

Registration:

To register for the seminar please contact us at: info@onefamily.ie or telephone: 01-662 9212

How to find the event

The TRISS room is located in the Arts Building in Trinity College, map shows route via Nassau Street entrance

The TRISS Room is on the 6th Floor of the Building

Sherie deBurgh Memorial Fund:

In February 2020, One Family launched a fund in memory of our friend and former colleague Sherie de Burgh. The fund was established to help to support some of the most vulnerable children and families in the state.  The fund focuses on two areas of Sherie’s work that she was particularly passionate about:

  • Perinatal therapy: Perinatal therapy provides specialist therapeutic supports for mothers and their babies immediately before and after birth. The therapy works to strengthen lifelong attachments and security between mother and child. This may be particularly beneficial for mothers who have experienced an unplanned or crisis pregnancy, domestic violence or who have practical challenges such as homelessness.
  • Financial support for vulnerable families: Sherie worked with some of the most vulnerable children and families in our society; families experiencing homelessness, direct provision, addiction and abuse. The Sherie de Burgh Fund is used to continue her work, helping to support vulnerable children and families when they most need it. The fund may be used for the purchase of school uniforms, fees for education courses or for baby equipment.

The fund is administered by One Family and overseen by our Board of Directors

Donate to the Sherie de Burgh Fund