May !

Rebecca May

Dr. Rauterkus

Honors World History Block F

29 March 2017


Irish Women Over Time


The history between England and Ireland before the war sculpted the relations and

actions between the English and Irish post war. As a result, the role of Irish women, more

specifically, took a significant turn from the early nineteenth to twentieth century. This was a

result of Ireland's involvement before and after World War I, which lasted from about 1914-1918.

Over time, Irish women were able to take a stand in industries because of a vast recruitment of

soldiers going to war. This left an economic gap in society which had to be filled. A whole new

field of opportunities were now available to not only Irish women, but women across the world.

Throughout the war, Ireland had been going through a transition as well, one that would redefine

the country. The result of this transition allowed Irish women to gradually have a stronger role

and voice in society, as well a significant part in the Great War.

Preceding World War One, Great Britain issued the Act of Union with Ireland, meaning

that they had taken away the Irish Parliament, intending for Ireland to be governed by Great

Britain, or the House of Lords. This was around 1800, and was naturally an unideal result for the

Irish. Rebellion had long been in effect in order to elicit the separation of the Irish and English

government. The campaign for Irish Home Rule was in effect from 1870 to 1914. About half of

the Irish people during the nineteenth century had campaigned to repeal against the Union of the

British, so tensions between the English and Irish people must have become highly strained
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during the period (International Encyclopedia). When Home Rule became a more practical and

prominent concept for the Irish in 1912, a period of political turmoil followed for the British

(historylearningsite). Home Rule had been rejected before by the House of Lords, and they did

not want English power to be reduced. The British Parliament was doing all that they could in

order to stop Irish Home Rule from becoming a reality (International Encyclopedia).

Nonetheless, once the war broke out England and Ireland had a mutual agreement to postpone

the issue, so that they could come together to discuss the war. (historylearningsite).

Among this political turmoil, women's efforts for equal rights and opportunities before

the war were fairly strong, with energy that may have carried over into the Great War. The

history of women in Ireland focused on a nationalist, republican, movement and that of women

of a nobler class. Many women, however, were reserved in their beliefs and were not likely to

take a stand for their rights. Holding meetings and having small discussions about their place in

society could be just enough for them to be perfectly content. However, expressing their opinions

in a small manner could be also controversial and cause women to be reprimanded, resulting in

women being less vocal, and more independent. Some Irish women could have also felt that it

wasn't their place, or they might not have wanted to gather much attention while around others

and keep their opinions around d a select few.

However, some Irish such as a group of female nationalists in the late 1800s were not

afraid to voice their opinions. They, along with male contributors, strived to keep the Irish

culture alive and separate from their English invaders. This grouped had strived for the renewal

of Irish language, customs, games, music, and dancing. Founders Alice Milligan and Anna

MacManus' newspaper, Shan Van Vocht, reads, "Though, owing to a series of unfortunate and
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purely accidental circumstances, they failed in their great endeavor of shaking off the hated

English rule, yet they succeeded in raising on high the national ideal." They speak of Irishmen

who believed in "the right of Ireland to nationhood" that would aim to extinguish all English rule

and influence. Some followers might only pass out pamphlets to those passing by, such as to

young women in the company of soldiers. One leaflet from a group of female nationalists read,

"Irish girls who walk with English soldiers, remember you are walking with your country's

enemies, and with men who are unfit to be companions of any girl". Many discouraged English

and Irish interaction because so many Irish men had been sent off into war, disrupting their

society. Some Irish women may have shown their disapproval by not wearing English fashion or

hairstyles. Whether extreme or reserved, many Irish women had stood up for themselves and had

taken take a public stand in their own ways against any English influence.

Internal rebellion such as this against England before the war, however, was not the only

factor that made the possibility of civil war in Ireland seem so real. There had been gender and

political divides throughout Ireland, but despite this division, the Irish were still called upon to

participate in the war effort by England. Millions of people who could be possible enforcements

lived in poverty in Britain, so they naturally looked to areas like Ireland for recruitment. Some

war recruitment posters in Ireland coming from the British used Allies' flag to help recruit Irish

soldiers. Irish assistance toward British forces also had the potential to help them become united,

and have better relations with the British. The Irish, like many other countries during this time,

had been caught with war fever, and had countless men being sent overseas to aid. Many were

also in fear of a victorious Germany. A nine year old boy from Dublin even wrote a letter to an

English general, Lord Kitchener, pleading for permission to join the war effort. He, like many
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others, had been encouraged by English recruitment methods, and felt as if it were their duty to

participate and aid in the war effort. With so much of the Irish population racing to leave

overseas, a gap was left in society that was filled by those who took who were left in the

community: Irish women (IMW).

Tens of thousands of women in Ireland threw themselves into war effort, and were

actively engaged (independent). The possibilities for female involvement seemed endless. From

venturing through the wilderness to gather moss with medical properties and materials to make

bandages to becoming a nurse serving at the front lines, there was a range of ways women could

help. Some became nurses and volunteered at British Red Cross, or worked at St. John's

Ambulance, as told by Trinity College historian Fionnuala Walsh. Nurses were especially vital

during this time of new weapon advancement, and many of these nurses took their places at the

front lines (theirishstory). The number of visibly wounded soldiers in both Britain and Ireland

was a sign of the war's serious effects. Grenades, trench mortars, knives, and clubs were all being

used during the war, and caused major battle wounds and amputees, resulting in the dreadfully

wounded. Attending to and assisting these fighters were bold and great risks for these volunteers,

who were willing to give their time to their country (IWM).

Women's roles in the workforce were also made more significant because of the many

Irishmen who were away at war. London's Evening Standard tells that many Irish female workers

had savored the opportunity to provide for their family by making money for themselves. Along

with separation pay, a payment given to women in order to compensate for their husband's

military absence, Irish women could explore new fields of work while making a living. This was

a fantastic revelation to those women who had primarily relied on their husbands revenue. Even
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children had taken advantage of this opportunity (IWM). One field of work in which women

especially contributed to the war was in the field of bomb making. Thousands of Irish women

worked in these factories, where they would make artillery cases and other products

(thejournel.ie).

This involvement had become more meaningful in an economic standpoint. More than

2,000 workers found work in the five national weaponry factories across Ireland. Businesses had

been thriving with increased female employment, with shifts towards gender equality being

made. During this time, women and a large amount of men were given the right to vote for the

first time, which was a huge step for equality in Ireland. Because of the large amount of women

who joined trade unions and other organizations, living standards rose and poverty levels fell as

well (independent). The involvement of women the industrial aspect of Ireland had caused much

of the country to improve, and better much of Irish life (theiririshstory).

Before World War I, tensions with England and Ireland were stressed, and it was evident

within the emotions of the Irish. England's push for Ireland's involvement in the war greatly

affected the whole country of Ireland. Not only was much of their population leaving the country,

but their work was left behind unfinished. Irish women became the answer to this epidemic, and

they flourished in these new occupations. So many had jumped into the war effort, but were still

able to maintain businesses and life in Ireland in exceptional way. Female participation in the

war effort led to great strides towards equality. These women were the reason for so much

improvement in Ireland. Although Ireland was participating in war, Irish women became the

heart and soul of a thriving country.

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Works Cited

British official photographer. Female workers pull trolleys of shells in the grounds of the

National Shell Factory at Parkgate Street, Dublin, during the First World War. 1914-1923.

Ministry of Information First World War Miscellaneous Collection, Imperial War Mueseum, Q

33212.

Dorney, John. “Irish Women and World War I - an Interview with Fionnuala Walsh.” The Irish

Story, 20 Feb. 2013, www.theirishstory.com/2013/02/20/irish-women-and-world-war-i/

#.WNtJL8tHahC.

For the Glory of Ireland. 1915.

"First World War Galleries." Imperial War Museum. Lambeth Road, London SE1 6HZ. 13 Mon

2017.

Gibney, John. “Women and War in Ireland 1914-18.” History Ireland, vol. 22, no. 4, July-Aug.

2014, www.historyireland.com/volume-22/women-war-ireland-1914-18/. b

Grayson, Richard S. “Ireland.” International Encyclopedia of the First World War, Freie

University Berlin, 8 Oct. 2014, encyclopedia.1914-1918-online.net/article/ireland.

Guidera, Anita. “Women at War: Ireland’s Forgotten Heroines of the Era.” Irish Independent

[Dublin], 11 May 2014.

McCoole, Sinéad. Irish Female Activists in Revolutionary Years 1900-1923. Dublin 6, The

O’Brian Press, 2004.

Milligan, Alice, and Anna MacManus. “Remember ‘98!” The Shan Van Vocht [Belfast], 2 May

1898.
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Russel, Cliodhna. “In Photos: The Irish Women Who Made Bombs during World War I.” The

Journel, Journal Media, 1 Feb. 2015, www.thejournal.ie/irish-women-bomb-making-

factories-1911351-Feb2015/.

Trueman, C. N. “Home Rule and Ireland.” The History Learning Site, History Learning Site, 16

Aug. 2016, www.historylearningsite.co.uk/ireland-1845-to-1922/home-rule-and-ireland/.