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Cover of Irish Feminisms, 1810-1930

Irish Feminisms, 1810-1930

Edited by Mary S. Pierse

  • Published: 14 Dec 2009
  • DOI: 10.4324/9780415475297
  • Set ISBN: 9780415475297

Set Contents

Éire abú?


‘Éire abú’ was the sentiment if not the catch cry of a majority of those whose writings and drawings appear in this volume. To affix a question mark to the aspiration is to interrogate the possible outcome of all their ambition and work; it further conveys the insecurity of the times. The period from the aftermath of the Fenian Rising in 1867 to the year of the Great Crash in 1929 encompasses many wars all over the globe, the scramble for Africa, the Russian Revolution and a host of technological advances. The era also saw increased levels of education and a huge expansion in print media in the Western world, both of which contributed to an appreciable augmentation of cultural nationalism in Ireland, to a more obvious presence of women in all spheres, and to a visible and relatively consistent pursuit of women’s suffrage. Inevitably, many very dramatic changes came in Ireland with the 1916 Rising, the War of Independence, and the establishment of the Free State. Change and its associated societal insecurities brought, at once, a new confidence and fresh doubts to the situation and the aims of women. Declaring equality of rights and opportunity, and committing to suffrage for ‘all her men and women’, the 1916 Proclamation of the Irish Republic as a sovereign, independent state was a very radical document, but would the New Ireland deliver? The documents in this volume show a remarkable resilience and resourcefulness on the part of feminists; difficulties are not denied but are confronted and assailed assertively. In a swirling maelstrom of conflicting forces and attitudes, strong and loud voices were heard; journals dedicated to the advancement of women and/or suffrage allowed an airing of opinions in an unprecedented and forceful manner. It is in the pages of such publications as Bean na hÉireann, The Irish Citizen, The Workers’ Republic, and L’Irlande Libre that many ideas are promulgated and debated; both famous and less well-known authors wrote robust and persuasive articles on law, war, nation and suffrage. In addition, poetry, novel, drama and short story were exploited to present viewpoints, and some of the most effective and memorable messages were conveyed visually, whether in emblem or cartoon, design or sketch. Apparent in all the contributions – some of which are particularly fearless and out-spoken – is a growing confidence in the strength of their causes, a considerable involvement in society through different media, and recognition of the powerful opposition to be faced. If the progress of women was not even, the force behind it radiated power and promised much. On its side, notwithstanding their different conceptions of Éire, were the famous names of the Haslams, the Sheehy-Skeffingtons, Maud Gonne and Countess Markievicz; they were joined by others who merit a higher profile than they have been granted to date. In the variety of documents presented here, there is at least one new chapter for the books, and much light shed on a multi-faceted history.

Volume Contents

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    Front Matter
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    Introduction to Volume III By Mary S. Pierse
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    63
    ‘The Returned Picture’, Irish Lyrical Poems, USA: P. M. Harverty, 1868 [By kind permission of the Allen Library, Dublin] By Mrs. O’Donovan Rossa
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    64
    ‘The Patriot’s Bride’, in Cabinet of Irish Literature, vol. 4, ed. T.P. O’Connor, M.A., London, Glasgow, Edinburgh and Dublin: Blackie and Son, Old Bailey, 1880, p. 112 By Sir Charles Gavan Duffy
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    65
    Irish Woman’s Association, Membership Card, 1895 [By kind permission of the Allen Library, Dublin]
  • Miss Erin, New York: Benziger, 1898 By M. E. Francis
    • Part I.—Seed Time
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        I
        A Legacy
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        II
        Round the Turf Fire
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        III
        “Daddy Pat “ and “Mammie.”
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        IV
        Uncle and Niece
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        V
        Transplantation and Education
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        VI
        The Sword of Damocles
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        VII
        Desolate
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        VIII
        Father Lalor is Promoted
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        IX
        Erin the Mother, and Erin the Child
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        X
        Authorship and its Consequences
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        XI
        Fellow Travellers
    • Part II.—Harvest
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        I
        Strange News
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        II
        Erin a Landlord
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        III
        Mark Wimbourne
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        IV
        Babylon
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        V
        A Battle
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        VI
        Burying the Hatchet
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        VII
        Love’s Young Dream
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        VIII
        “’Twixt Cup and Lip.”
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        IX
        Mischief
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        X
        A Rescuing Party
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        XI
        The Irish Joan of Arc
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        XII
        After the Fray
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        XIII
        Antigone!
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        Epilogue
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    67
    ‘Reine de la Famine’, L‘Irlande Libre, 1900 (Originally published in Paris in 1897.) [By kind permission of Cork City Libraries] By Maud Gonne
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    68
    Leaflet with Rules, Dublin: Fowler, 1900 [By kind permission of the Allen Library, Dublin] By Inghinidhe na hÉireann
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    69
    ‘Dawn’, Lost Plays of the Irish Renaissance, Newark: Proscenium Press, 1970 (Originally published in the The United Irishman in 1904.) [By kind permission of the Literary Estate of Maud Gonne, and by kind permission of Cork City Libraries] By Maud Gonne
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    70
    ‘Women’s Rights’, Poems of Eva Gore-Booth, London: Longmans, Green, 1929 (written 1906) [By kind permission of Cork City Libraries] By Eva Gore-Booth
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    71
    ‘Women’s Trades on the Embankment’, The Egyptian Pillar, Dublin: Maunsel & Co., 1907 [By kind permission of Cork City Libraries] By Eva Gore-Booth
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    72
    ‘To my Fellow-Women’, Bean na hÉireann, February 1909, p. 10 [Image courtesy of the National Library of Ireland] By Fanny Parnell
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    73
    ‘The Woman with a Garden’, Bean na hÉireann, June 1909, p. 11; October 1909, p. 12; November 1909, p. 7; December 1909, p. 11 [Image courtesy of the National Library of Ireland] By Constance De Markievicz
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    74
    ‘Ought Irishwomen Have Political Equality with Men?’, Bean na hÉireann, January 1910, pp. 9–10 [Image courtesy of the National Library of Ireland] By Sydney [pseud. John Brennan] Gifford
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    75
    ‘A Reply to Some Critics’, Bean na hÉireann, February 1910, pp. 3–4 [Image courtesy of the National Library of Ireland and by kind permission of the copyright holders] By Hannah Sheehy-Skeffington
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    76
    Editorial, Editorial Note on 10 Years of Inghinidhe na hÉireann, Bean na hÉireann, October 1910, p. 8 [Image courtesy of the National Library of Ireland]
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    77
    ‘Love of Country’, Bean na hÉireann, October 1910, pp. 9–10 [Image courtesy of the National Library of Ireland] By Constance De Markievicz
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    78
    ‘Inghinidhe na hÉireann (Daughters of Erin)’, Bean na hÉireann, October 1910, p. 14 [Image courtesy of the National Library of Ireland] By Maud Gonne
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    79
    ‘Inghinidhe na hÉireann’, Bean na hÉireann, November 1910, pp. 14–15 [Image courtesy of the National Library of Ireland] By Mary A. M’Laren
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    80
    Editorial, ‘Parasite Women’ and ‘The Lowest Deep’, The Irish Citizen, July 27, 1912, p. 74 [Image courtesy of the National Library of Ireland]
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    81
    ‘Political Intrigue’, The Irish Citizen, August 3, 1912, p. 84 [Image courtesy of the National Library of Ireland] By F. [or Anon.] Sheehy-Skeffington
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    82
    ‘Feminine Privilege’, The Irish Citizen, August 3, 1912, p. 84 [Image courtesy of the National Library of Ireland] By F. [or Anon.] Sheehy-Skeffington
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    83
    ‘Is the Law an Ass – or Worse?’, The Irish Citizen, August 10, 1912, p. 93 [Image courtesy of the National Library of Ireland] By B.
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    84
    ‘Are Bachlors Thieves?’, The Irish Citizen, November 30, 1912, p. 219 [Image courtesy of the National Library of Ireland] By M.E.
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    85
    ‘A Christmas Game for Suffragettes’, The Irish Citizen, December 28, 1912, pp. 249–50 [Image courtesy of the National Library of Ireland] By Anon
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    86
    ‘Should Men Have the Vote?’, The Irish Citizen, May 17, 1913, p. 409 and June 14, 1913, p. 25 [Image courtesy of the National Library of Ireland and by kind permission of the copyright holder] By Grace Gifford
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    87
    ‘Responsibility of our Parliamentary Representatives’, The Irish Citizen, May 24, 1913, p. 2 [Image courtesy of the National Library of Ireland] By Thomas J. Haslam
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    88
    ‘Man’s Place is the Home’, The Irish Citizen, June 26, 1913, p. 43 [Image courtesy of the National Library of Ireland] By M.E.
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    89
    ‘Aurora Suffrage’, The Irish Citizen, August 23, 1913, p. 1 [Image courtesy of the National Library of Ireland] By L. W.
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    90
    ‘The Pioneers of Feminism in Ireland’, The Irish Citizen, March 21, 1914, p. 347 [Image courtesy of the National Library of Ireland] By F. [or Anon.] Sheehy-Skeffington
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    91
    ‘Suffragists and Home Rule: “A Plea for Common Sense”’, The Irish Citizen, May 23, 1914, p. 3 [Image courtesy of the National Library of Ireland. By kind permission of Máire MacSwiney Brugha] By Mary McSwlney
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    92
    ‘Votes for Women in the West’, The Irish Citizen, March 14, 1914, p. 341 [Image courtesy of the National Library of Ireland. By kind permission of the copyright holders] By Hannah Sheehy-Skeffington
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    93
    ‘Women and War’, The Irish Citizen August 8, 1914, p. 92 [Image courtesy of the National Library of Ireland] By F. [or Anon.] Sheehy-Skeffington
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    94
    ‘The Writing on the Wall’, The Irish Citizen, August 8, 1914, p. 92 [Image courtesy of the National Library of Ireland] By F. [or Anon.] Sheehy-Skeffington
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    95
    ‘The Duty of Suffragists’, The Irish Citizen, August 15, 1914 [Image courtesy of the National Library of Ireland. By kind permission of the copyright holders] By Hannah Sheehy-Skeffington
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    96
    ‘War and Ideals’, The Irish Citizen, August 22, 1914, p. 109 [Image courtesy of the National Library of Ireland] By Dora Mellone
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    97
    ‘War and Feminism’, The Irish Citizen, September 12, 1914, p. 133 [Image courtesy of the National Library of Ireland] By F. [or Anon.] Sheehy-Skeffington
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    98
    ‘Irishwomen and War’, The Irish Citizen, December 12, 1914, p. 235 [Image courtesy of the National Library of Ireland] By M. E. Duggan
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    99
    ‘An Open Letter to the Bishop of Ross’, The Irish Citizen, February 20, 1915, p. 310 [Image courtesy of the National Library of Ireland]
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    100
    ‘The Modern St. Patrick’, The Irish Citizen, March 20, 1915, p. 1 [Image courtesy of the National Library of Ireland] By Ernest Kavanagh
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    101
    ‘The Chivalry of War’ (I & II), The Irish Citizen, February 27, p. 317 (I) and March 6, p. 325 (II), 1915 [Image courtesy of the National Library of Ireland] By Margaret T. McCoubrey
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    102
    ‘Comfort the Women’, The Sad Years, London: Constable & Co., 1918. By Dora Sigerson
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    103
    ‘Experiences of a Woman Patrol’ (Part II), The Irish Citizen, October 23, 1915, p. 137 [Image courtesy of the National Library of Ireland] By Constance De Markievicz
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    104
    Editorial, ‘Women’s Dress’; ‘Our Streets’; ‘Remedies’ [Editorial Notes], The Irish Citizen, October 23, 1915, p. 1 [Image courtesy of the National Library of Ireland]
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    105
    Editorial, ‘Thanks, “G. B. S.”!’; ‘Working Women’s Hostel’; ‘ “Gentlewoman Wanted” ’ [Editorial Notes], The Irish Citizen, November 13, 1915, p. 1 [Image courtesy of the National Library of Ireland]
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    106
    ‘To the Oppressor’, Dublin: The Art Depot, 1914–1915 [By kind permission of the Allen Library, Dublin] By Alice Furlong
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    107
    ‘Straining at the Leash’, The Workers’ Republic, 1, 35, January 22, 1916 [By kind permission of Cork City Libraries] By Maeve Cavanagh
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    108
    ‘Dedication’, A Voice of Insurgency, 1916 [By kind permission of Cork City Libraries] By Maeve Cavanagh
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    109
    ‘Eire – After the Storm’, A Voice of Insurgency, 1916, p. 19 [By kind permission of Cork City Libraries] By Maeve Cavanagh
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    110
    ‘Eire – to K. L.’, A Voice of Insurgency, 1916, p. 30 [By kind permission of Cork City Libraries] By Maeve Cavanagh
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    111
    ‘Apologia’, A Voice of Insurgency, 1916, p. 59 [By kind permission of Cork City Libraries] By Maeve Cavanagh
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    112
    ‘A Song of Cumann na mBan’, Knutsford, June 1916 [By kind permission of the Allen Library, Dublin] By Constance De Markievicz
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    113
    ‘Hymn on the Battlefields’, 1916 [By kind permission of the Allen Library, Dublin] By Constance De Markievicz
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    114
    ‘Heroes and Martyrs’, 1916 [By kind permission of the Allen Library, Dublin] By Constance De Markievicz
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    115
    Letter, Dublin, April 2, 1917 [By kind permission of the Allen Library, Dublin] By Maeve Cavanagh
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    116
    ‘Christmas Eve in Prison’; ‘To CM on her Prison Birthday’, Broken Glory, Dublin: Maunsel & Co., 1917, p. 11 [By kind permission of Cork City Libraries] By Eva Gore-Booth
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    117
    ‘Congratulations and Expectations’, The Irish Citizen, January 1918, p. 594 [Image courtesy of the National Library of Ireland] By Maud Eden
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    118
    Election Poster, 1918 [Image courtesy of Kilmainham Gaol Museum. By kind permission of the copyright holder] By Grace Plunkett
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    119
    The Listowel Camogie Club, ‘Address from the Listowel Camogie Club to Austin Stack Esquire T. D.’, 1918 [Image courtesy of Kilmainham Gaol Museum]
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    120
    ‘What he Swallows Now!’ [Irish Party Cartoon], 1918 [Image courtesy of Kilmainham Gaol Museum. By kind permission of the copyright holder] By Grace Plunkett
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    121
    ‘The Queen’, The Sad Years, London: Constable & Co., 1918 By Dora Sigerson
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    122
    ‘The Sacred Fire’, The Sad Years, London: Constable & Co., 1918 By Dora Sigerson
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    123
    ‘To the President and Houses of Congress of the United States of America’ by Cumann na mBan, 1918 [Image courtesy of the National Library of Ireland]
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    124
    First Causes, 1919, pp. 3–29 [Image courtesy of the National Library of Ireland] By L.A.M. Priestley McCracken
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    125
    ‘To the Young Women of Dublin!’ [Cumann na mBan recruitment bill], Kilmainham, 1922 [Image courtesy of Kilmainham Gaol Museum]
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    126
    ‘The Tricolour’, The Tricolour, 1922, pp. 1–4 By Dora Sigerson
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    127
    ‘The Choice’, The Tricolour, 1922, pp. 28–9 By Dora Sigerson
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    128
    ‘The NDU Invincible’, 1923 [Image courtesy of Kilmainham Gaol Museum] By Hon. Albinia Brodrick
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    129
    ‘Countess Markievicz Takes Her Place in the Celestial Choir’, 1927 [By kind permission of the Allen Library, Dublin, and of the copyright holder] By Grace Plunkett
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    130
    ‘Lament of the Daughters of Ireland’, Poems of Eva Gore-Booth, London: Longmans, Green, 1929 [By kind permission of Cork City Libraries] By Eva Gore-Booth
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    Back Matter