Press Release

Life Of Donegal Nursing Pioneer Revived On Screen

Tuesday, October 31, 2006

A documentary drama about the life of Fahan born nurse Agnes Jones will be premiered at the Main Hall, Guildhall, Derry on Friday 3rd November at 8.00 pm. The film will tell the story of Agnes Jones who was one of the original twelve Nightingale nurses. Agnes left her home in County Donegal, and went on to reform Liverpool’s workhouses from the dreaded last resort of the famine emigrants to havens of nursing and palliative care, spirituality and education.

The documentary is based on research for an original stage play, “Agnes”, which was developed and performed by Derry-based group, Handful Productions two years ago. The role of Agnes is played by Derry born actress Bronagh Gallagher.

Welcoming the premier to Derry, Mayor, Councillor Helen Quigley said:
“ Agnes Jones is one of the unsung heroines of the north west. Her innovative and holistic approach to nursing and care changed nursing practices forever.

“As a region we are deeply proud and humbled by Agnes’s achievements in her short life. And I am delighted that we have this opportunity to tell people here about her life and work”

The film is based on archive material, records and letters sent to and from her sister Josephine. It follows her experiences at a Christian care centre in Germany; her time working at Irish hedge schools, teaching children who would otherwise have had no formal education, though to the fulfilment of her life’s ambition to train with Florence Nightingale.

Agnes then went to Liverpool to minister among the poor, many of them Irish people who had tried to escape the aftermath of the famine by emigration to the New World, only to abandon the journey at Liverpool docks because of illness or lack of money.

The workhouses were grim, cruel establishments run for profit but within a few short years she transformed them into places staffed by skilled nurses, with nutritional meals, education for all, religious instruction on an ecumenical basis, and a semblance of family life. It was Agnes Jones who coined the phrase ‘The Poorest of the Poor.’

Before she died of fever at the age of 32 she had, with the help of legendary English philanthropists like William Rathbone, secured the governors’ commitment to hand over management of the institutions to the nursing staff rather than the parish councils or accountants. She insisted this was her legacy.

On a personal level, the film also traces Agnes’s somewhat isolated childhood as a member of the Anglican gentry in Donegal who had fallen on hard times; her mother’s long term nervous illness, her wayward younger brother who was sent to Australia to avoid scandal and her prematurely widowed sister.

Local writer and journalist Felicity McCall wrote the story of Agnes. She said she’s delighted the story has been brought to Agnes’s home.
“ Agnes Jones was a very strong, pioneering, independent woman. She revolutionised nursing and her story is timeless. I think her life is an inspiration to women everywhere, but particularly in the north west where she came from.”

‘Agnes’ by Derry-based company Ambient Light Productions and Greater Shantallow Community Arts will be screened as part of the Foyle Film Festival on Friday 3rd November 2006 at the Main Hall, Guildhall in Derry at 8.00 pm. The Mayor, Cllr Helen Quigley will host a reception prior to the film premiere, at the Mayor’s Parlour at 7.00pm.

Ends

For additional information contact:

Press Office

return to previous page