Scholarcast 14: Occasions of Sin: Sex and Society in Modern Ireland

In this episode Diarmaid Ferriter reads from chapter six of his latest book Occasions of Sin: Sex and Society in Modern Ireland published by Profile Books. 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 abortion, pregnancy, celibacy, contraception, censorship, infanticide, homosexuality, 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 also details the interaction between church, state, politicians, lobby groups and private individuals as debates raged over family planning, marriage, gay rights and the role of the media.