The objects of Inghínidhe na hÉireann, October 1900

The objects of the society are:

• To encourage the study of Gaelic, of Irish literature, history, music and art, especially among the young, by the organising and teaching of classes for the above subjects.
• To support and popularise Irish manufactures.
• To discourage the reading and circulation of low English literature, the singing of English songs, the attending of vulgar English entertainments at theatres and music halls, and to combat in every way English influence, which is doing so much injury to the artistic taste and refinement of the Irish people.
• To form a fund called the National Purposes Fund for the furtherance of the above objects.
  
  Maria Luddy, Women in Ireland 1800-1918, Cork,1995, p.300 and in Margaret Ward, In their own voice; women and Irish nationalism, Cork, 2001, p.20.

Questions

1. Discuss the contrast in attitude to Irish culture and to English culture of Inghínidhe na hÉireann.
2. What impression do the objects of Inghínidhe na hÉireann convey to us about Ireland in 1900.
3. Evaluate the document as historical evidence.
4. Discuss the document in its historical context.

Activities

1. Research the historical context of Inghínidhe na hÉireann. See the chapter on Inghínidhe na hÉireann in Political movements in this section.
2. Write an article for a newspaper about the objects of Inghínidhe na hÉireann.