‘Little Beauties’ performance inspired by Ellen Hutchins

A rehearsed reading by Karen Minihan of her play, Little Beauties, tracing the life, work and spirit of Ellen Hutchins, botanist, who explored the coast of Bantry Bay in the early 1800s. In Little Beauties, we see her development as a scientist and artist, revealing the indomitable spirit of this extraordinary woman. 

Wednesday 20th August
5pm at Bantry Bookshop, William Street, Bantry. Free

Karen Minihan is a writer and theatre-maker based in West Cork. Her focus is often with unknown women’s stories and achievements. Extraordinary, Ordinary Women is the title for her main body of work placing a spotlight on women living through Ireland’s revolutionary period, with two books of stories, poems, two short documentaries and a number of plays. From 2020-2024, she has been involved with Ellen Hutchins Festival as creative advisor and writer behind a live presentation of Ellen work in Seaweed and Sealing Wax, reading and interpreting her correspondence. This new play and soundscape, Little Beauties, presents Ellen live to an audience, so as to experience and feel her energy and determination.

This project is supported by Cork County Council and the Heritage Council under the County Heritage Plan Funding 2025.

For information on all Ellen Hutchins Festival events in Heritage Week see
https://ellenhutchins.com/event-listings-2/

Karen Minihan is a writer and theatre-maker based in West Cork. Her focus is often with unknown women’s stories and achievements. Extraordinary, Ordinary Women is the title for her main body of work placing a spotlight on women living through Ireland’s revolutionary period, with two books of stories, poems, two short documentaries and a number of plays. From 2020-2024, she has been involved with Ellen Hutchins Festival ascreative advisor and writer behind a live presentation of Ellen work in Seaweed and Sealing Wax, reading and interpreting her correspondence. This new play and soundscape, Little Beauties, presents Ellen live to an audience, so as to experience and feel the energy and determination of this remarkable woman.