The Irish Women's History Reader is an exciting collection of essays revealing the tremendous diversity of women's experiences in Ireland's past. For the first time this unique book draws together key articles published in the fields of Irish women's history and women's studies over the past two decades, including contributions from Ireland, North and South, England, USA, Canada and Australia. The Irish Women's History Reader explores the lives of ordinary Irish women since 1800, looking at the key themes of: * historiography and the development of, and writing of, women's history in Ireland * politics and the variety of political activities undertaken by women including suffrage, nationalism and unionism * 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 USA, Britain and Australia * work including both paid and unpaid employ inside and outside the home.