Meathwoman's Diary: Breaking the glass ceilings

As the passing of public figures go, 2022 has been for the want of a more appropriate term, a golden year. In the past week alone the world has lost a number of cultural icons that helped shape their respective fields and inspired generations of people to follow in their footsteps.

Recent days saw the world lose Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, Brazilian football great Pele, trailblazing American journalist Barbara Walters and pioneering fashion designer Vivienne Westwood, a who’s who of the deceased to say the least.

Earlier in the year and what was most certainly the most high profile death was the passing of Queen Elizabeth II, Britain's longest-serving monarch. Meanwhile former Northern Ireland First Minister David Trimble who won a Nobel Peace Prize for his work in securing peace in Northern Ireland died in July.

Former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev, died in August and 2022 also bid farewell former U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright.

Closer to home actor Laurie Morton, who was a native of Athboy passed away aged 99. Known to a generation for her role as Peggy in RTE drama series, ‘Tolka Row’, and another as the Whirlygig Witch in children's series ‘Fortycoats’, she was married to the late actor, David Kelly.

Sidney Poitier who died at the start of the year almost single-handedly changed the perception of Black actors in Hollywood. The aforementioned Barbara Walters paved the way for women in journalism and legendary footballer Pele who grew up in poverty in Brazil was a role model for young sporting hopefuls with a dream of playing soccer. Legacy is a powerful thing.

The importance of seeing people around us, like us, achieve things on a global or sometimes even more importantly on a local scale is a formidable thing.

In 2022 our own Meath Ladies made history winning two All Ireland senior finals back to back inspiring young girls and boys to get on the pitch.

Meanwhile the excitement is palpable as Colm O'Rourke is set to make his mark this week as the new senior football manager with celebrated former Meath boss Sean Boylan by his side. O'Rourke who was part of the golden era of Meath football brought the county to glory in All Ireland finals in the late ‘80s cementing Meath in the GAA hall of fame.

In the political arena, Justice Minister Helen McEntee has been making her mark since she first won her Dáil seat, going on to be a junior minister twice before Leo Varadkar entrusted her with the justice portfolio.

She famously became the first cabinet minister to take maternity leave while in office affording women in the future the opportunity to enter politics whilst raising a family.

Navan man and former Bond star Pierce Brosnan has for decades spoken of his love for his home town and even this year waged in on local protest.

Lets hope 2023 gives us more people who are determined to break glass ceilings.