Sir, – This week I saw a neat little book of a pictorial history of Ireland. Published in 2007 and probably aimed at tourists, it covers Irish history from prehistoric to modern times.
However, a visitor to Ireland would be perplexed about Irish societal structure, as all but 15 of the “over 200 illustrations” portray men in various guises and activities. Key female figures were either saints or British monarchs – plus one black and white photo of Mary Robinson as president.
This week also saw the publication of another of those interesting supplements in The Irish Times ("Dragons Stirring", November 18th on the six months leading to the 1916 Rising).
Imagine my dismay when I turned the pages to see image after image of men. The difference? There was a section on the women’s suffrage movement, under a running heading of “Women”. Corralling women into one small section does not do justice to their role in the pre-1916 months. Their almost total absence from “modern” history books such as the one mentioned above, is inexcusable.
Until there is a conscious effort to highlight women’s key roles throughout Irish history, alongside the men’s, it seems that women, their roles, talent and contributions will continue to be seen as secondary in the affairs of our nation.
– Yours, etc,
MICHELINE
SHEEHY SKEFFINGTON
Clarinbridge,
Co Galway.