Petronilla de Meath
2024
Tholsel, Kilkenny Town Hall
In 1324, Petronilla de Meath - the alleged maid to Dame Alice Kyteler - was tortured under Church Law until she confessed to heresy and witchcraft, becoming the first woman in history to be burned alive at the stake on 3rd November.
A public event to commemorate the 700th anniversary of Petronilla’s life took place at the Tholsel, Kilkenny Town Hall on Saturday, November 2nd and 3rd, 2024. Organised by artist Pauline O’Connell and curator Rachel Botha, this gathering invited the public to remember, stand together in respect, to reflect on her story and those of others who have endured persecution, both in the past and in the present.
The public were invited to tie brown paper tags with the handwritten names of individuals who have suffered injustices, have been forgotten by history, and those whom they wished to honour onto the wrought iron railings of the Tholsel (Town Hall), High Street, Kilkenny. These personal acts served as a tribute to Petronilla’s memory, becoming expressions of solidarity and remembrance for all those who have faced wrongful persecution.
As an icon of resilience and a symbol of intersectional feminism, Petronilla’s story remains a powerful testament to the ongoing fight for equality, justice, and dignity for all who have been silenced or erased by societal, religious, or state institutions.
