Traditions and double moral standards: the Irish suffragists' critique of nationalism

The relationship between feminism and nationalism is complex and multifaceted. This paper seeks to explore that relationship in the context of Ireland during the early years of this century. It will be argued that through challenging double moral standards, hypocrisy and conventional morality the Irish suffragists represented a feminist analysis of Irish society. However, like feminists in India and other countries engaged in anti-colonial struggles, Irish suffragists had to negotiate a tricky path between demanding women's rights and risking the antagonism of groups demanding the nation's right to self-determination. The challenge for feminism was in trying to reconcile traditional images of Irish womanhood with a modern women's movement demanding equality and rights. This frequently led to conflict with the nationalists and to a contestation of 'tradition' whereby feminists attempted to redefine or reinvent traditional images of Irish womanhood.