Introduction

Chapters in this book

1. Frontmatter i
2. CONTENTS vii
3. List of Illustrations viii
4. Foreword xi
5. Preface xiii
6. Acknowledgements xvi
7. Content Warning xviii
8. Introduction 1
9. 1 Mná na hÉireann: Women, Colonialism, and the Catholic Church 12
10. 2 Mná an Cheoil: Echoes of the Past 34
11. 3 Passing the Baton: A Woman’s Heart and the Communal Voice for Women 57
12. 4 “Celtic Fairies” and the “Commercial Bankable Formula” 79
13. 5 (Re)shaping Image and Performance in Commercial Irish Dance Shows 106
14. 6 Changes between Society and Scene: Legislative Developments, Activism, and Festival Line-Ups 146
15. 7 Performing in the Boys’ Club 167
16. 8 From Musician to Mother: Parenthood Ideologies and Gendered Prejudices 214
17. Afterword 234
18. Bibliography 241
19. Index 281