From patriots to pirates, warriors to writers, and mistresses to male impersonators, this book looks at the unorthodox lives of inspiring Irish women.

In times when women were expected to marry and have children, they travelled the world and sought out adventures; in times when women were expected to be seen and not heard, they spoke out in loud voices against oppression; in times when women were expected to have no interest in politics, literature, art, or the world outside the home, they used every creative means available to give expression to their thoughts, ideas and beliefs.

In a series of succinct and often amusing biographies, Marian Broderick tells the life stories of these exceptional Irish women.

a fun and useful reference work

written in a lively and accessible style

would recommend this book to schools especially as a supplement to the history curriculum where the teaching of women's history could be much improved. It would make a great starting point for research for Leaving Certificate students

'Broderick's prose is simple and accessible ... and her fascination with her two favourite subjects - Irish history and women's studies - jumps out from every page'

'A rollicking read'

'Before reading this I hadn't heard of half the women, now I will dip into this book to read again and again about the remarkable women who helped to shape Éire'

'Marian Broderick should take a bow for resurrecting an eclectic body of Irish women's history -- the good, the bad and the ugly, as well as the international beauties'

'After reading this book, one can never again ignore the role of Irishwomen'

'relieves what historian Margaret Ward has called our "collective amnesia" about women's place ... enjoyable'

'A rollicking read'

'Marian Broderick should take a bow for resurrecting an eclectic body of Irish women's history -- the good, the bad and the ugly, as well as the international beauties'

'After reading this book, one can never again ignore the role of Irishwomen'

'relieves what historian Margaret Ward has called our "collective amnesia" about women's place ... enjoyable'

'Broderick's prose is simple and accessible ... and her fascination with her two favourite subjects - Irish history and women's studies - jumps out from every page'

'good fun'

'a captivating read from start to finish'

'the place of Irish women in history has been overlooked for too long and Broderick can justly be proud of her attempt to redress the imbalance'

'a series of succinct and often amusing biographies which both entertain and educate'

'a must for anyone with an interest in women’s studies or Irish history'

'educational, shocking, funny and moving, Wild Irish Women is a captivating read from start to finish'

'this engaging read tells the heroic, shocking, tragic and inspiring tales of Ireland’s most icon female figures'

'succinct and often amusing'

'can be used for reference, as wonderful holiday read or for dipping into'

'absorbing book'

'Readers will be amazed, intrigued and fascinated'

'fascinating book'

'Marian Broderick should take a bow for resurrecting an eclectic body of Irish women's history -- the good, the bad and the ugly, as well as the international beauties.'

'(A) fascinating collection of unorthodox women ... This series of lively portraits tells the life stories of 75 women ... showing that sisters have been doing it for themselves for a long, long time.'

'With ladies literary and artistic, and those who were intrepid travellers, this collection of short profiles of some of Ireland's most interesting women is an entertaining selection of names we know well and some whose place in history has been overshadowed.'

'Wild Irish Women brings together a fascinating collection of unusual, unorthodox and unforgettable women. Irish people today have a long roll-call of female ancestors to inspire, amuse and outrage them ... These entertaining biographies reveal the truly irrepressible spirit of Irish womanhood over the centuries.'

'A toilet book of the highest order, with the author bringing us short and snappy profiles of more than 60 Irish women down the years. Some are relatively straightforward but the real gems are to be found in the tall tales told of the more, shall we say, exotic fair maids of Erin.'

'Wild Irish Women uncovers the struggles that women have faced, exposing bravery, commitment, discipline and brains, not to mention poverty, wealth and ingenuity ... Each biography is told simply over a few pages making the book something that a reader can get lost in or can pick up for five minutes and still totally enjoy ... Before reading this I hadn't heard of half the women, now I will dip in to this book to read again and again about the remarkable women who helped to shape Eire.'

'The O'Brien Press has done a splendid job with the design and has produced an exceptionally handsoem book that would make a good gift - perhaps one to whet a teenager's appetite for history.'

'Extraordinary new book ... The entertaining snapshot biographies tell the stories of nuns, courtesans, healers, warriors, pirates and male impersonaters who have outraged, amused and inspired over the centuries.'