Women without votes: the political strategies of the Irish suffrage movement

This article discusses the Irish suffrage movement within the context of social movement theories and seeks to explore the goals, tactics and achievements of the movement. While the militant tactics of the suffragists have been reasonably well studied, little work has been done to date on the relationship between the militant and constitutional wings of the suffrage movement. The complexity of the suffrage movement is reflected not only in its tactics but also in its goals. It will be argued that the suffragist demands went beyond enfranchisement to a wider exploration of women's roles and rights in Irish society. This article will conclude with an attempt to assess the failures and successes of the suffrage movement.