Introduction

The primary rationale for this volume is to introduce South Asian graduate students to some of the main themes in Irish gender history from the end of the Great Famine in 1852 to the foundation of the Irish Free State in 1922. It begins by charting the origins and development of Irish womens history against key publications in gender history and concludes that while much has been achieved, further research is necessary. With the aim of providing opportunities and ideas for comparative, transnational or connected histories of Ireland, India and the British empire, the introduction describes how this book is organised both thematically and chronologically. In overarching terms, it addresses the following critical themes power, culture, politics, socio-economic circumstances, institutions, the family, religion, education and class from gendered perspectives.