WOMEN AND SEXUALITY IN 19TH-CENTURY IRELAND

As in Europe generally, there was a spectacular range of sexual relati onships in 19th century Ireland, thus challenging the stereotype of a country of exceptional chastity and prudery. Economic factors played a pivotal role in Irish women's sexual expression. Women of property ha d to be very circumspect in their behaviour. Women of different classe s and circumstances could behave differently in entering short- or lon g-term liaisons, with men of their own or indeed higher social class. These women essentially drew up their own sexual contracts. However, b y the late 19th century, there was less and less tolerance of sexual d iversity and of women initiating their own destiny. This period (1880s +) witnessed the triumph of respectability. Henceforth, there was onl y one acceptable life path for normal women - marriage and motherhood - and a diminishing tolerance for any type of sexual diversity.