MARGARET GAJ, a prominent figure in left-wing campaigns and the women’s movement in the 1960s and 1970s, has died in Dublin.
A native of Scotland, she ran Gaj’s restaurant in Baggot Street, Dublin, with her Polish husband. The restaurant gradually became the venue for meetings of a group of women who went on to set up the Irish Women’s Liberation Movement in 1970.
The restaurant became part of the folklore of the women's movement within Ireland and is frequently referred to in chronicles of its history. Anne Stopper's story of the movement, which was published a number of years ago, included reference to the restaurant in its title, Mondays at Gaj's.
Journalist Mary Maher, a founder of the women’s movement in Ireland, said yesterday that Ms Gaj was formidable and also kind.
“She was absolutely fearless in taking on the establishment,” Ms Maher said in describing Ms Gaj’s contribution.