No Ordinary Women

by Sinead McCoole

No Ordinary Woman, is about the Irish Female Activists in the Revolutionary year 1900-1923. The fascinating hidden stories of Ireland's women revolutionaries.

Genres: Ireland, History, Nonfiction, Irish Literature, Feminism

288 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2003

Reviews

[Seraphina · Rating 3 out of 5]

A really fascinating account of women's role in the 1916 rising and war of independence. First half of the book re-enacts the rising and the imprisonment of activists which was really interesting and the second half gives the women's biographies. This section reads very much like an impersonal history book but which I can imagine will make a very good reference book for schools and such.

[Abby O'Reilly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I truly love this book she’s seen me through 2 degrees and my first postgrad job ❤️❤️❤️ cheers sinéad

[Micaela Sofia · Rating 5 out of 5]

as a person really interested in Irish history and culture, AND as a queer feminist I am absolutely in love with this book, it's one of my favourites. I bought it in Dublin and it made me truly understand the development of Irish rebellion and revolution. It's extremely detailed and informative, but never boring, since you can sense the admiration and passion the author feels for the brave women she portrays. the book is extraordinary because it is one of the few books in which the activism and fight led by women is centered and the role of women in the Irish fight for independency is highlighted from a feminist perspective, explaining the different organizations, points of view, conflicts and important events. Soon after reading the book I watched the series Rebellion, and while it was nice to watch, I was very disappointed to see the role of Irish women reduced to nurses, or women heavily influenced by their politically active partners, or struggling with their crush on British soldiers, completely ignoring Countess Markievicz's crucial role in the uprising. Sinead McCoole does a marvelous job in avoiding those tropes. Detailed biographies of many women are included. Also, lots of beautiful photos, many of them depicting strong, courageous women armed and in their different Irish uniforms, which is a nice bonus if you fancy these types of photos like I do.

[A. Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is packed with information about women whose names are not at all known, aside from a very few such as Countess Markiewicz, Grace Gifford Plunkett, and Maud Gonne MacBride. In the first part of the book, McCoole tells an overall story of the revolutionary years; the second part consists of brief biographies of over seventy women who smuggled guns, carried messages, sheltered fugitives, treated wounds, and fought battles. All kinds of organizers and organizations are included, and cumulatively, the book not only inscribes individual names on prominent events but also casts light on the integral aspects of the conflicts. For those deeply interested in Irish history, this book is an excellent resource.

[gary henry · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Strong and Insightful Historical Account

“No Ordinary Women” is a well-researched and thoughtfully written book that highlights the contributions of Irish women during a transformative period. While some sections felt slightly dense, the overall narrative remains engaging and informative.

The stories are compelling and offer a fresh perspective on historical events. It’s a solid read for those interested in history, though it may require some patience at times.

[Kane henry · Rating 5 out of 5]

History Told Through Courage and Resilience

“No Ordinary Women” succeeds in doing what many history books fail to do it makes the past feel alive and emotionally engaging.

The detailed accounts of female activists show not just their bravery but also their sacrifices and determination. The writing is accessible yet informative, making it suitable for both casual readers and history enthusiasts. This book left me with a deeper appreciation for the resilience of women in revolutionary movements. It’s a must-read for anyone seeking a broader perspective on Irish history.

[Rose · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Worthy Topic with Uneven Execution

There’s no doubt that the subject matter of this book is important and deserving of attention. The stories of these women are fascinating, but the pacing sometimes feels inconsistent. Some chapters are very engaging, while others feel more like academic summaries. It’s a good book overall, but it may appeal more to readers who enjoy detailed historical analysis rather than storytelling.

[James · Rating 3 out of 5]

Insightful but Not Always Engaging

This book highlights an important and often overlooked part of history, which I truly appreciated.

However, the writing style didn’t always keep me fully engaged.

While the information is valuable and the research is evident, I found it a bit challenging to stay immersed throughout.

It’s a decent read, especially for those interested in the topic, but it may not captivate every reader.

[Emma Mulry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Without a doubt one of the best books I have ever read. The sheer amount of work that went into this book is clear, being a detailed account of these amazing woman while also being highly readable. Most of these women had not been written about in history books before, and the work Sinead McCoole has done for Irish women’s history, and highlighting these incredible women and their lives is outstanding. I highly highly recommend this book

[Thelma Gabbett · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well researched and written amazing how many women both married with young families and single were involved in politics at local and national level.

[Larry · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a virtually unknown area of the Irish Revolutionary War of 1900-1923 period. These amazingly brave women, were imprisoned, forced to flee the country and in some cases died to espouse the cause of Irish freedom. Great photos with insightful biographies and overall general history of the dangerous times in which they lived. Over the years since the winning of independence and of introspection and celebration of the sacrifices made by the men in the fight there has been little written about those women who in some ways scarified as much as the men they supported fighting in the hedgerows and side streets. Some of the most poignant stories are those of women of the Loyalist background who risked not only loss of life but castigation from family in the struggle to follow the path they chose the path of resistance. The story of Maud Gonne, Molly Childers, Countess Markivicz and many others is told with great insightful historic photographs. An inspirational work.

[Maccus · Rating 4 out of 5]

: Important Stories Worth Telling

This book does an admirable job of bringing attention to women who have long been overlooked in history. The content is rich and informative, though at times it feels more academic than narrative-driven.

Despite this, the importance of the subject matter shines through.

It’s a valuable read that broadens understanding, even if it doesn’t always maintain a consistent storytelling flow.

[Fleurdelys21]

A surprisingly easy to read book (considering it is non-fiction). Some very interesting women!