Irish Women and the Creation of Modern Catholicism, 1850-1950

This book investigates the roles of lay Catholic women in modern Irish history, analyzing how gender, class, and religion intersected to shape Irish Catholicism and modern Irish identities. It demonstrates that lay women were essential to all aspects of Catholic devotional life and complicated Church and clerical authority by rejecting, negotiating, and reworking Church dictates.

Format: Hardback
Length: 264 pages
Publication date: 26 March 2019
Publisher: Manchester University Press

This groundbreaking book is the first of its kind to explore the significant role of lay Catholic women in modern Irish history. By delving into the intricate intersections of gender, class, and religion, it sheds light on the crucial contributions of middle-class, working-class, and rural poor women in shaping the evolution of Irish Catholicism and, consequently, the formation of modern Irish identities. Through a comprehensive analysis, the book demonstrates that lay women played a vital role in all aspects of Catholic devotional life, both within the confines of the home and in public rituals. It further reveals that women, by challenging, negotiating, and reimagining Church dictates, intricately complicated the authority of the Church and the clergy.

Irish women and the creation of modern Catholicism offers a fresh perspective on the historical relationship between the institutional Church, the clergy, and women. It challenges the traditional notion of women as passive recipients of religious instruction and emphasizes their active participation and influence in shaping religious practices and beliefs. By placing lay Catholic women at the center of its narrative, the book offers a rich and nuanced understanding of the complex dynamics that have shaped Ireland's religious and social landscape.

This groundbreaking work is a must-read for scholars, students, and anyone interested in exploring the role of women in religion, history, and society. It provides valuable insights into the complex interplay between gender, class, and religion and sheds light on the ways in which women have contributed to the formation of modern Ireland.

Weight: 430g
Dimension: 216 x 140 x 24 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781526136398