Occasions of Sin: Sex and Society in Modern Ireland [Hardcover]

Using a huge variety of sources, Occasions of Sin charts the Irish sexual experience over the course of the 20th century. In tackling the public and private worlds of Irish sex, this book is groundbreaking in its scope and ambition.

Ferriter covers such subjects as abortion, pregnancy, celibacy, contraception, censorship, infanticide, homosexuality, prostitution, marriage, popular culture, social life and the various hidden Irelands associated with sexual abuse - all in the context of a conservative official morality backed by the Catholic Church and by legislation. The book energetically and originally engages with subjects omitted from the mainstream historical narrative. The breadth of this book and the richness of the source material uncovered make it definitive in its field and a most remarkable work of social history.

Using a huge variety of different sources, Occasions of Sin charts the Irish sexual experience over the course of the twentieth century. In tackling the public and private worlds of Irish sex, this book is groundbreaking in its scope and ambition, covering such subjects as contraception, pregnancy, celibacy, censorship, infanticide, homosexuality, abortion, prostitution, marriage, popular culture, social life and the various hidden Irelands associated with sex and sexual abuse. The book energetically and originally engages with subjects traditionally omitted from the mainstream historical narrative. It uncovers the extent and variety of Irish sexual behaviour in the context of a society that had, on the surface, a stringent view of what was morally acceptable and unacceptable, and was governed by strict legislation, backed by the Catholic Church which continually reinforced a conservative message regarding sexual morality. It also details the interaction between Church, state, politicians, lobby groups and private individuals and organisations as debates raged over family planning, marriage, gay rights and the role of the media. As well as drawing on state papers, private correspondence, memoirs and novels, Occasions of Sin makes use of previously unpublished material, including the courts files that detail the experiences of the victims of sexual crime and the archive of the gay rights movement. The breadth and scope of this book and the richness of the source material uncovered make it the definitive sexual history of twentieth-century Ireland.

Praise for Diarmaid Ferriter The Transformation of Ireland 'A landmark book, full of insight and intelligent judgement and sheer diligent research, which deals with the complexity of the Irish revolution and its aftermath. Ferriter is at ease in the world of high politics and policy-making, but it is his word on economic, social, cultural and gender issue, which makes his account of Ireland during this period itself a transformation in historical methodology.' Colm Toibin 'A deeply absorbing account, written in assured style. It is a very fine achievement indeed and a book which deserves to be widely read.' Richard English, Irish Times 'His approach is judicious and empathetic ... a rich and provocative study. This will be an influential book, and is a remarkable achievement.' Roy Foster, Guardian Judging Dev 'A watershed in the telling of Irish history ... every Irish home should have one of these books.' Ryan Tubridy, RTE 'Ferriter's assessments are superbly fresh, independent and sophisticated. He already has the stature of a major historian ... Judging Dev will add immeasurably to his reputaiton.' John A. Murphy

Diarmaid Ferriter was born in Dublin in 1972. One of Ireland's leading historians, he is Professor of Modern Irish History at University College Dublin and author of The Transformation of Ireland 1900-2000 (Profile Books, 2004) and Occasions of Sin: Sex and Society in Modern Ireland (Profile Books, 2009).