Irish Women and the Great War

This is the first book-length study of the impact of the Great War on women's everyday lives in Ireland, focussing on the years of the war and its immediate aftermath. Fionnuala Walsh demonstrates how Irish women threw themselves into the war effort, mobilising in various different forms, such as nursing wounded soldiers, preparing hospital supplies and parcels of comforts, undertaking auxiliary military roles in port areas or behind the lines, and producing weapons of war. However, the war's impact was also felt beyond direct mobilisation, affecting women's household management, family relations, standard of living, and work conditions and opportunities. Drawing on extensive research in archives in Ireland and Britain, Walsh brings women's wartime experience out of the historical shadow and examines welfare and domestic life, bereavement, social morality, employment, war service, politicisation, and demobilisation to challenge ideas of emancipation and reflect upon the significant impact of the Great War on Irish society.

Provides the first complete overview of the experiences of Irish women in the First World War
Places Irish women's war experience within its international context
Draws on a wide range of diverse archival sources and accounts of individual women's war experiences

Reviews & endorsements

'Drawing on a rich body of archival sources, this pioneering exploration of women's lived experiences provides a sophisticated assessment of the complex impact of the Great War on the status of women within Irish society and politics. It represents a major contribution to the historiography of early twentieth-century Ireland.' Fearghal McGarry, Queen's University Belfast

'This is an illuminating and meticulously researched study in which Walsh brings to life the experiences of Irish women during the First World War. Exploring commonalities and differences in those experiences and in the many forces that shaped them, Walsh makes a compelling case for the full integration of these hidden histories into existing narratives.' Senia Paseta, University of Oxford

'Walsh's book is the first comprehensive study of Irish women in this conflict. It is meticulously and extensively researched, thoughtful in its analysis, engages with the scholarly literature, and makes a major contribution to early twentieth century Irish history.' Maria Luddy, Family and Community History

'The accessible writing style and thematic structure mean this book could be enjoyed by the interested reader as well as the academic, but the strong primary source element of the book makes it ideal to use as an academic teaching resource.' Jennifer Redmond, First World War Studies

'This is a major step forward in Irish women's history and the history of the Great War in Ireland. In its detail, its scope, its adeptness in handling diverse sources, it is a welcome and major contribution.' Caoimhe Nic Dháibhéid, Irish Historical Studies

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