Dublin Festival of History, October 1, 2022 (5-6pm)

Sister Against Sister: Women and the Irish civil war (Big Weekend)

Organised by Dublin City Council

Panel Discussion: Dr Leeann Lane (DCU); Dr Mary McAuliffe (UCD); Dr Margaret Ward (QUB) and moderated by Dr Fionnuala Walsh (UCD)

Overview: The civil war in Ireland was not only ‘brother against brother’. Cumann na mBan, the nationalist women’s organisation was the first to vote against the Treaty after it had been passed by Dáil Éireann while in the Dail, the 6 female TDS all voted for rejection with Mary MacSwiney’s lengthy speeches a notable feature of the debate. Why did Cumann na mBan reject the Treaty and what role did women play in a war where their contribution led to over 500 women being imprisoned by their former comrades? Why were women denounced as ‘furies’, with measures enacted by the Free State to force their return to the home.

Leading historians of Irish women’s history will reflect on events leading to civil war and the contribution made by women to the war – from both sides of the divide. Gender-based violence, trauma and the legacy of war are new areas of study, enhanced by archival evidence and the writings of former activists. Has the Decade of Centenaries fully acknowledged the complexities and extent of women’s participation?

In addition to the contribution of the panellists the audience will be invited to ask questions and reflect on what they have heard.

All Big Weekend Tercentenary Hall events will be live streamed on the Dublin City Libraries YouTube page. No booking required for online attendees. This event will be live streamed (opens in a new window)here

Even listing (opens in a new window)here