Book review: IWU members' essays offer first-hand accounts of activists on the Contraception Train
The vast accomplishments of modern Irish feminism would look very different without the courageous, yet often overlooked, efforts of Irishwomen United (IWU) activists in the years following the Contraceptive Train.
This phenomenal collection of 20 essays offers first-hand, historical accounts of on-the-ground activities during this period, shining a light of neglected truth on the history of how Ireland was changed.
In this book, writer and IWU member Evelyn Conlon together with academic Rebecca Pelan, ensure the impact of the organisation will no longer be forgotten.
The collective memories of these women describe everything from pickets to sit-ins, self-questioning to dancing, the development of feminist ideas and publishing despite the restrictive laws and attitudes surrounding them.
Through relentless, difficult discussions, publications, marches, and allyship with the global feminist and civil rights movement, the ideas of IWU were transformed into action for the sake of reproductive rights, sexuality, representation, and rape crisis work.
The foreword from former Irish president Mary McAleese contextualises the collective labour of IWU within a not-so-distant past in Ireland
This book also features an archive of original art, flyers, photographs, and memorabilia of the movement.
A glimpse at the long-winding track of history behind us reminds us how far we've come.
Irishwomen United and its allies set the precedent for change for the next generation. The stories of these women campaigners are not only representative of past movements, they also a call to action for future social justice activists in the fight for liberation and equality for all.
Foreword by Mary McAleese
The position of women in Irish society in 2025 bears little resemblance to that which existed in 1975, the year Irishwomen United came into existence, though what is clear from these essays is that the changes and improvements gained did not come about without a great deal of effort on the part of women themselves.
This collection attests to what can be achieved when goals and pathways to essential egalitarian reforms are collectively prioritised, regardless of political and ideological differences.
Irishwomen United drew on successes from the recent and distant past, by bringing together women from vastly different backgrounds in education, class, sexual orientation, and politics.
Irishwomen United picketed at Dublin Airport picket over the X Case. Picture: Evelyn Conlon
Extraordinarily, their mission thrived on allowing space for these differences to be expressed whilst, at the same time, retaining a clear focus on what needed to be done to improve the lives of Irish women.
There was a lot of apathy to be overcome, resistance to be faced down, doubters to be persuaded, and time to be invested over and above the demands of busy everyday lives.
That time had to be reinvested over and over again, for this was the work of decades not days.
That such a representative group from the 1970s and 1980s has contributed to this collection 50 years after the events is testimony to their commitment to a cause that changed the country in significant ways. For some, the commitment continued as a life-long passion and a central part of who they are.
For others, Irishwomen United was a moment in time — an exciting, stimulating, even dangerous one — that set them on a path of personal discovery about themselves and the world around them.
The recurring description by contributors of the anticipation, excitement, joy, and satisfaction felt around 4pm on Sunday afternoons in a run-down flat on Pembroke St, Dublin, is palpable and shines bright in memories captured here. Make no mistake, though these meetings were stimulating and enjoyable, they were primarily about planning and strategising on how to change Ireland, in whatever ways were necessary.
The equally strong, determined voices from organisations that were part of that change — from Cherish to women's publishing — is fascinating to read.
In 1976, I became legal advisor to and co-founder with David Norris of the Campaign for Homosexual Law Reform.
The battle then was for decriminalisation, and it was fought tooth and claw with meagre resources, but fierce moral integrity, through the courts of this land and Europe
When the fledgling Dublin Rape Crisis Centre (RCC) was being set-up, they requested advice as to the legal issues involved, and I was privileged to be able to give that.
A great deal of thought and research went into the establishment of the RCC, with initial meetings taking place from 1977 until the official opening in 1979 and thereafter. The RCC remains one of many enduring success stories from that period.
Along with other service agencies from the period — such as Cherish, The Well Woman Centre, and the Irish Pregnancy Counselling Centre, the development of women's publishing and women's studies, the creation of space for the development of lesbian and gay rights, as well as Irish reproductive rights — Irishwomen United and the network of women and groups who changed this country in so many ways, did so from the ground up, building on what had gone before, and changing course only when enough had been achieved to ensure that there would be no going back.
'After the Train: Irishwomen United and a Network of Change' also features an archive of original art, flyers, photographs, and memorabilia of the movement.
There were minds to be changed, attitudes to be challenged and, in fairness to the Irish people, the evidence is in that a profound change of hearts and minds is now embedded in civic society. Séamus Heaney wrote perceptively that: "What looks the strongest has outlived its term. The future lies with what is affirmed from under." (From the Canton of Expectation III)
From under the centuries-old layers of sexism, misogyny, patriarchy, exclusion, dismissal, and condescension, a new future has emerged and not by accident or coincidence!
The 'how' of it you will read here.
I heartily commend the contributors to this collection, all of whom have so generously shared their first-hand experience of Irishwomen United and the times of change, and I congratulate the editors on putting together such a fine example of Irish women's voices and history, and in creating a body of work that will continue to be relevant and exist as documentary evidence of just what can be achieved, what grace can fill the voids, when women gather to change their world.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
RTÉ News
an hour ago
- RTÉ News
Pride for U2's The Edge as he becomes Irish citizen
It was a beautiful day for U2 guitarist David Howell Evans, known as The Edge, who was one of thousands of people to become Irish citizens at a ceremony in Co Kerry. Mr Evans, 63, was born in Essex and is the child of Welsh parents, but has lived in Ireland since he was one year old. Smiling while sporting a tricolour clip on his lapel, and wearing his distinctive cap, the famous guitarist appeared to enjoy every moment as he was conferred in the second ceremony of the day in Killarney. "Becoming an Irish citizen could not have been more meaningful than the present time," he said, after shaking hands with those beside him following the oath of allegiance. Speaking briefly to reporters afterwards, he described becoming an Irish citizen with so many others as "a monumental day for all of us". "I'm a little tardy with the paper work. I've been living in Ireland now since I was one. But the time is right," he said. "And I couldn't be more proud of my country for all that it represents and all that it is doing." The guitarist, who helped form the iconic Irish rock band U2 in 1976 along with his classmates at Mount Temple Comprehensive School in Dublin said Ireland is showing real leadership right now in the world. "It couldn't come at a better moment for me, so I am just so happy to be at this point to be in even deeper connection with my homeland," he said. He refenced his country as showing leadership in the world, supporting international bodies like the International Criminal Court and the United Nations and "speaking truth to power". Applicants from over 143 countries and across all 32 counties on the island numbering 7,500 made the declaration of fidelity and loyalty to the State and were officially conferred as Irish citizens. In total, seven ceremonies are held over two days, with Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration Jim O'Callaghan joined by Minister of State with responsibility for Migration Colm Brophy and Minister of State with responsibility for International Law, Law Reform and Youth Justice Niall Collins. Speaking at the ceremonies, Minister O'Callaghan it was a "special and important occasion". "It is a great privilege to become a citizen of this country and obviously with it comes responsibilities and duties and I think everyone who is taking on citizenship will be aware of that," Mr O'Callaghan said.
Irish Daily Mirror
an hour ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Taoiseach blasts 'excessive' new social media checks for student US visas
Taoiseach Micheál Martin has slated 'excessive' new checks on social media accounts for students seeking to obtain United States visas. He argued that the US is already one of the 'more difficult countries' to access, and there has already been a decline in the number of young people applying and travelling on J1 visas. The US Embassy in Dublin confirmed on Monday that Irish students applying for certain US visas will be instructed to set their social media profiles to public as part of a new 'comprehensive and thorough' vetting process. Following a pause, it confirmed that it will resume taking applications for visas includes for J visas, used by people like students and teachers and F and M visas, both used by students travelling to the US to study. The new rules will require those applying for visas to set their social media accounts to public. A spokesman said: 'The US Department of State is committed to protecting our nation and our citizens by upholding the highest standards of national security and public safety through our visa process. 'A US visa is a privilege, not a right. We use all available information in our visa screening and vetting to identify visa applicants who are inadmissible to the United States, including those who pose a threat to US national security. 'Under new guidance, we will conduct a comprehensive and thorough vetting, including online presence, of all student and exchange visitor applicants in the F, M, and J nonimmigrant classifications. 'To facilitate this vetting, all applicants for F, M, and J nonimmigrant visas will be instructed to adjust the privacy settings on all of their social media profiles to public.' The embassy stated that visa applicants will be required to list all social media usernames or handles of 'every platform they have used from the last five years' on their application forms. It also warned that 'omitting social media information could lead to visa denial and ineligibility for future visas'. When asked about the US Embassy's announcement, the Taoiseach said that he did not 'approve of or agree with' the new measures. He said: 'I believe those measures by the United States are excessive. 'One of the great things in the modern world, has been the capacity for young people to travel and mobility is important. The US is probably one of the more difficult countries to to get into at times. 'So there is an issue around freedom of speech, but it's more the atmosphere that's created by these measures, the fear and the anxiety that young people will now experience travelling. My understanding is applications are down in terms of J1. We have witnessed a pause on the processing of J1.' The Taoiseach also said there has been a 'long-standing relationship' with America and its young people travelling around Ireland. He also stated that 'good intelligence' and 'good security' should be able to stymie any potential attackers. The US Embassy spokesman confirmed that its Dublin embassy will resume scheduling F, M, and J nonimmigrant visa applications soon. He added: 'Every visa adjudication is a national security decision. 'The United States must be vigilant during the visa issuance process to ensure that those applying for admission into the United States do not intend to harm Americans and our national interests, and that all applicants credibly establish their eligibility for the visa sought, including that they intend to engage in activities consistent with the terms for their admission.'
Irish Independent
2 hours ago
- Irish Independent
‘I don't approve of them, I don't agree with them' – Taoiseach says new US J1 visa rules around social media ‘excessive'
Mr Martin was speaking ahead of his attendance World Conference on Tobacco Control, when he said he did not approve of the new measures, which will see a requirement for all social media accounts used in the past five years to be public to be vetted by US authorities. The announcement was made by the US today and the changes are effective immediately. Students applying for J1 visas must provide all social media accounts they have used in the past five years and make them public so they can be 'thoroughly' vetted by US authorities. "I believe those measures by the United States are excessive. I don't approve of them. I don't agree with them," Mr martin said. While there was an issue in relation to freedom of speech, Mr Martin said it creates an atmosphere of fear and anxiety. The number of J1 applications are down this year, Mr Martin said. "There is an issue around freedom of speech, but it's more the atmosphere that's created by these measures, the fear and the anxiety that young people will now experience travelling," the Taoiseach said. Though Mr Martin said he understood the importance of security, he believed the newly announced measures went too far. Irish students will have to undergo 'comprehensive and thorough vetting' of their social media, the US Embassy has announced today. 'To facilitate this vetting, all applicants for F, M, and J non-immigrant visas will be instructed to adjust the privacy settings on all of their social media profiles to 'public'. 'Visa applicants are required to list all social media user names or handles of every platform they have used from the last five years on the DS-160 visa application form. We need your consent to load this Social Media content. We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. 'Applicants certify that the information in their visa application is true and correct before they sign and submit. Omitting social media information could lead to visa denial and ineligibility for future visas.' The changes also apply for other exchange visitor applicants in the F, M, and J non-immigrant classifications. All applicants are asked to list all their social media profiles, and make their accounts publicly accessible. Failure to do so could lead to a visa being rejected. The embassy said it would use all available information in its visa screening to identify those who would be 'inadmissible' to the US, including those who posed a threat to national security. Every visa adjudication is a national security decision US embassy in Dublin In a statement on Monday, it said that a US visa was 'a privilege, not a right'. It said that it was protecting the US by upholding the highest standards of national security and public safety, adding: 'Under new guidance, we will conduct a comprehensive and thorough vetting, including online presence, of all student and exchange visitor applicants in the F, M, and J non-immigrant classifications. The US Embassy in Dublin will resume scheduling F, M, and J non-immigrant visa applications 'soon'. The embassy added: 'Every visa adjudication is a national security decision. The United States must be vigilant during the visa issuance process to ensure that those applying for admission into the United States do not intend to harm Americans and our national interests, and that all applicants credibly establish their eligibility for the visa sought, including that they intend to engage in activities consistent with the terms for their admission.'
