Ireland in the Late 1980's / Early 1990's
What was life like in Ireland in the 1980's?
To give a sense of what it was like in the years leading up to the time when this play takes place, the following resource is a forum with personal accounts from this time in Ireland in comparison to the present. The responders to this post mention poverty, emigration for jobs, and other things referenced in the play.
To visit this forum click here: Ireland in the 80's
The conservative politics of Ireland
These are just a couple of references that show how conservative the laws in this country were. This play takes place shortly after contraception was legalized. I thought these facts might help to understand how big of a deal it is that Maureen has Pato over to the house, and how Mag might view this?
Interesting Facts:
1935-1980 - Contraceptives were banned
1980-1985 - Contraceptives were allowed with a written prescription, and had to be dispensed by a pharmacist
1985- Contraception is legalized and sold to anyone over 18 years old and without a prescription
Abortion laws in Ireland see below (Abortion is still not legal today in Ireland):
58. Every Woman, being with Child, who, with Intent to procure her own Miscarriage, shall unlawfully administer to herself any Poison or other noxious Thing, or shall unlawfully use any Instrument or other Means whatsoever with the like Intent, and whosoever, with Intent to procure the Miscarriage of any Woman, whether she be or be not with Child, shall unlawfully administer to her or cause to be taken by her any Poison or other noxious Thing, or shall unlawfully use any Instrument or other Means whatsoever with the like Intent, shall be guilty of [an offence], and being convicted thereof shall be liable, ..., to [imprisonment] for Life ....
59. Whosoever shall unlawfully supply or procure any Poison or other noxious Thing, or any Instrument or Thing whatsoever, knowing that the same is intended to be unlawfully used or employed with Intent to procure the Miscarriage of any Woman, whether she be or be not with Child, shall be guilty of [an offence], and being convicted thereof shall be liable, ..., to [imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years].
To give a sense of what it was like in the years leading up to the time when this play takes place, the following resource is a forum with personal accounts from this time in Ireland in comparison to the present. The responders to this post mention poverty, emigration for jobs, and other things referenced in the play.
To visit this forum click here: Ireland in the 80's
The conservative politics of Ireland
These are just a couple of references that show how conservative the laws in this country were. This play takes place shortly after contraception was legalized. I thought these facts might help to understand how big of a deal it is that Maureen has Pato over to the house, and how Mag might view this?
Interesting Facts:
1935-1980 - Contraceptives were banned
1980-1985 - Contraceptives were allowed with a written prescription, and had to be dispensed by a pharmacist
1985- Contraception is legalized and sold to anyone over 18 years old and without a prescription
Abortion laws in Ireland see below (Abortion is still not legal today in Ireland):
58. Every Woman, being with Child, who, with Intent to procure her own Miscarriage, shall unlawfully administer to herself any Poison or other noxious Thing, or shall unlawfully use any Instrument or other Means whatsoever with the like Intent, and whosoever, with Intent to procure the Miscarriage of any Woman, whether she be or be not with Child, shall unlawfully administer to her or cause to be taken by her any Poison or other noxious Thing, or shall unlawfully use any Instrument or other Means whatsoever with the like Intent, shall be guilty of [an offence], and being convicted thereof shall be liable, ..., to [imprisonment] for Life ....
59. Whosoever shall unlawfully supply or procure any Poison or other noxious Thing, or any Instrument or Thing whatsoever, knowing that the same is intended to be unlawfully used or employed with Intent to procure the Miscarriage of any Woman, whether she be or be not with Child, shall be guilty of [an offence], and being convicted thereof shall be liable, ..., to [imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years].