Dorothy Macardle

Dorothy Macardle was a literary teacher, propagandist journalist, political playwright, and gothic fiction novelist. Leann Lane's book explores Macardle's life, from her early years as a Sinn Fein propagandist to her evolution into a feminist and republican. It examines her Jail Journal as a first-hand source material, and the wealth of new archival material in the Bureau of Military History Witness Statements and the Military Service Pension Collection. The book highlights Macardle's commitment to female activist politics, expressed in subterranean or subversive ways, and her opposition to the position of women in the 1936 Conditions of Employment Act and the 1937 Constitution. It also showcases her as a short story writer, playwright, and gothic novelist of republican and feminist intent.

\n Format: Paperback / softback
\n Length: 208 pages
\n Publication date: 30 June 2019
\n Publisher: University College Dublin Press
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Dorothy Macardle, a multifaceted literary teacher, propagandist journalist, political playwright, and gothic fiction novelist, has often been overlooked in historical recognition. In her book, "Dorothy Macardle: A Life Unveiled," author Leann Lane aims to change this.

Macardle is best known for her work "The Irish Republic" (1937), a comprehensive history of the revolutionary period from an anti-Treaty perspective commissioned by de Valera. The book was a bestseller and solidified Macardle's reputation as de Valera's mouthpiece, but as Lane argues, Macardle was much more than that.

She was an intellectually strong, politically persuasive, and stoically independent woman who was beholden to no one. Macardle's personal and political evolution is intricately mapped out in the book, with Lane delving into her Jail Journal as a firsthand source material. The author also examines a wealth of new archival material from the Bureau of Military History Witness Statements and the Military Service Pension Collection, providing a comprehensive overview of Irish republican history and the individuals and events that shaped Macardle's life.

Central to the story is an analysis of Macardle's commitment to female activist politics as she moved further from de Valera's influence. While her opposition to the position of women in the 1936 Conditions of Employment Act and the 1937 Constitution was not overt on political platforms, Lane reveals a deep criticism of the status quo. Macardle's activism took subterranean or subversive forms, reflecting her determination to challenge the prevailing societal norms and advocate for women's rights.

Through her life and work, Dorothy Macardle emerges as a remarkable figure who defied societal expectations and made significant contributions to Irish literature, politics, and social reform. "Dorothy Macardle: A Life Unveiled" offers a fresh perspective on this influential woman, shedding light on her complex personality, intellectual prowess, and unwavering commitment to her beliefs.

\n Weight: 466g\n
Dimension: 234 x 155 x 19 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9781910820414\n \n