ABSTRACT
This chapter provides an overview of the key organisations in Ireland campaigning for votes for women from the establishment of the first women’s suffrage society in Ireland founded in 1872 through to the establishment of the Irish Free State in 1922. Irish women sought, and finally received, equal voting rights with their male counterparts through their dedicated work for political reform. While first-wave feminist movements across the globe shared the single goal of obtaining votes for women in general elections, the experiences of women in different countries varied dramatically. The Irish suffrage cause was fought during a heightened time of Irish nationalist and unionist action which complicated the goal for feminists. Taking this political situation into account this chapter traces the main tactics employed by pioneering feminist activists and marks notable goals and achievements prior to 1922. Many Irish feminists worked with activists in other countries especially England and, to a lesser extent, India. Tracing the work of women, including Anna Haslam, Hanna Sheehy Skeffington, Margaret Cousins and Countess Markievicz, will showcase this. The research for this chapter utilises primary source material available for digital access, including newspapers, census forms and parliamentary papers. The work of pioneering feminist historians are referenced throughout and may be consulted for further information on related topics.
