Women & Irish History: Essays in Honour of Margaret Maccurtain

This volume examines Irish women's many and varied political and public roles from the 18th century through to the 20th century. Throughout such an analysis, many of the articles raise questions about the traditional historical assumption that women were passive agents in the political narrative. From philanthropic work in the 1770s to campaigning against de Valera's constitution in 1937, Irish women have a long history of public action. This book challenges historians to open up definitions of state, nation, citizenship and power which have been central to the debate on Irish history.