On this week’s programme, we’re marking the centenary of the Representation of the People Act. That piece of legislation, one hundred years ago, saw some women in Ireland get voting rights for the first time. On tonight’s show, we’ll trace the origins of the suffrage movement, and look at the lives of its key activists. We’ll explore this struggle for women’s empowerment as it took place all over this island, highlighting individual stories, and the resistance that suffragettes faced. And, in light of this centenary, we’ll reflect on women’s rights in Ireland over the past hundred years. Myles was joined throughout the programme by the following guests: 

Margaret Ward, a visiting research fellow at Queen’s University. She is editor of the recent book Hanna Sheehy Skeffington - Suffragette and Sinn Feiner: Her Memoirs and Political Writings, that’s published by UCD Press. 

Professor Linda Connolly, Director of the Maynooth University Social Sciences Institute, and author of the book From Revolution to Devolution: the Irish Women’s Movement.  

Claire McGing, a specialist in gender and politics, also with Maynooth University.  And our researcher, historian Liz Gillis who is the author of a number of books, including Women of the Irish Revolution. 

We also hear a report from Rhona Tarrant, who speaks to Leann Lane of Dublin City University about the suffragette Rosamond Jacob. Leann's biography of Jacob, Rosamond Jacob: Third Person Singular, is published by UCD Press.