Some nights you plan for. Others take on a life of their own. Beo na Samhain did both.
On Wednesday 4 November, we gathered at Gilgamesh in Covent Garden for our final event of the year. The clocks had gone back, evenings turned dark by five, and the room was sold out. Under the low lights and rich colour of one of London's most striking venues, we raised glasses of prosecco, canapés did the rounds, and the room filled with women dressed for a bit of Practical Magic: florals, frills, and plenty of autumn romance.
We called it Beo na Samhain, the life of Samhain, and that's exactly what we got: a room that was alive.
A room full of familiar (and new) faces
It was fantastic to look around and see so many familiar faces, women who have been with us at event after event this year, alongside plenty of new ones. We were especially delighted to welcome members of the team from the Embassy of Ireland, who joined us for the evening.
The conversations were the heart of the night. Old friends caught up, new ones were made, and there was, rather unexpectedly, a remarkable number of lawyers in the room. Where did they all come from? As one of our board discovered while chatting to a woman from Ballsbridge who turned out to know her cousins, Dublin really is a small world when it travels to London.
What a year
Beo na Samhain was the perfect way to close what has been a stellar year for the Women's Irish Network.
In June, we sold out WIN x House of Hormones, bringing together some of the most trusted voices in women's health for an evening of honest, eye-opening conversation. We gathered around the table for our private dinners, laced up our boots for Walk with WIN, and spent summer evenings together on the terrace with our friends at the Irish Youth Foundation. In September, we celebrated the women bringing Gaeilge to new audiences at An Evening as Gaeilge at the London Irish Centre. And in October, we sat down for a fireside chat with the brilliant author Kit de Waal, who we're proud to call our newest WIN ambassador.
It has been an incredible year, not only for WIN but for Irish women in London. Every event has been a reminder of what happens when we make space for each other: the ideas that spark, the friendships that form and the support that follows.
Go raibh Míle maith agaibh
To every woman who bought a ticket, brought a friend, shared a post, donated a raffle prize or simply showed up: thank you. Go raibh Míle maith agaibh. You are what makes us.
A huge well done, too, to everyone who worked behind the scenes to make this year happen. It's a real privilege to be part of such a wonderful community of women, and we are genuinely overwhelmed by the support you've shown us.
See you in 2027
We're already planning what comes next. We'll kick off the new year back at Bankside in January with some really exciting events, followed by more interesting conversations, more out-and-abouts and more lovely walks together.
We'll be back soon with the full line-up for 2027. Until then, enjoy the Christmas break and everything in between. We can't wait to welcome you back in the new year.
Sláinte, The Women's Irish Network
