This weekend volunteers in Tully South in Carrigallen, Co Leitrim will open their community centre and cottage to celebrate the legacy of a local pioneering trailblazer.
The remarkable immigration story of Margaret Haughery from Tully South continues to attract huge attention since the Taoiseach shared her story with Donald Trump.
‘The Bread Woman of New Orleans’ was described by Micheál Martin as “the best of what it means to be Irish in the United States” during his St Patrick’s Day visit to the White House.
Margaret Haughery is one of the most beloved figures in New Orleans history for her philanthropy and charitable deeds.
Despite not being able to read or write, she built a business empire, opening bakeries that fed the city’s poorest residents during epidemics and civil unrest.
She was given a state funeral following her death in 1882 and two years later a statue was erected in her memory in New Orleans.
It is one of the first of its kind in US history to honour a woman and a member of the public.
It still stands today.
Margaret Haughery is one of the most beloved figures in New Orleans history
Margaret Haughery was born in Carrigallen in 1813 and emigrated to the US with her parents when she was five years old.
The ‘Mother of Orphans’ became an orphan herself at age nine and later worked as a domestic servant and laundress in Baltimore before moving to New Orleans at 21.
When her husband and daughter died following an outbreak of cholera and yellow fever, Margaret devoted herself to supporting local orphans, becoming a wealthy philanthropist and pillar of New Orleans and American society.
Back home in Leitrim, the Margaret of New Orleans Community Association developed a replica of Margaret’s old homeplace in 2013.
Now the renewed surge of interest is expected to boost the summer influx of visitors and tourists to the site in Tully South, Carrigallen.
Commenting on the renewed and much-welcomed interest in Margaret’s life, Maura Williamson of the Margaret of New Orleans Community Association said: “Our volunteer group seeks to honour her extraordinary resilience, humanity, and courage in everything we do, whether it’s the development of Margaret’s Cottage in Tully South and Margaret’s Corner Community Centre in Carrigallen, or the publication of the Margaret of New Orleans children’s book by Jon Berkley.”
Margaret’s Corner Community Centre was developed in 2024 and served as a meeting point for Ukrainian refugees, hosting language courses, exercise classes, and other community events.
Tomorrow’s official opening will include a guided tour of ‘Margaret’s Cottage’ and grounds with refreshments served and a discussion on Margaret’s extraordinary life.
The family day features live music, poetry, storytelling, boxty-making and arts and crafts.