'Drunken tans': Representations of sex and violence in the Anglo-Irish War

War is a highly gendered experience which is both informed by and informs c onstructions of masculinity and femininity. The dominant depiction of mascu line heroes and feminine victims simplifies the complex intersections of mi litarism, nationalism and gendered roles and identities. Focusing on a case study of the Anglo-Irish War or War of Independence (1919-1921), this pape r examines how violence against women, especially sexual violence, was writ ten about and reported in ways which framed representations of Irish and Br itish masculinity and Irish femininity. In addition, by analysing a range of varied sources including newspapers, a utobiographical accounts and recorded testimonies, this paper attempts to a ssess the extent to which violence against women formed a key aspect of mil itary practice in the war. In conclusion, I engage with some of the difficu lties faced by researchers today in exploring evidence of gendered violence in specific historical, cultural and militarized contexts.