The Irish women's history reader

"This collection of essays reveals the diversity of women's experiences in Ireland's past. This book draws together key writings on Irish women's history published over the past two decades, including contributions from North and South Ireland, England, the United States, Canada, and Australia." "It explores the lives of ordinary Irish women since 1800, looking at such themes as: the development of women's history in Ireland; politics and the variety of political activities undertaken by women; health and sexuality, revealing hidden histories of sexual activity, mental illness and attempts to control fertility; religion and the experiences of catholic nuns, protestant evangelicals and salvationists; emigration and the pattern of female migration to the U.S., Britain, and Australia; and work, including both paid and unpaid employment inside and outside the home."--Jacket.