Imram Aisling: Aisling nó Iníon A

Abstract

The article comments on a novel by Éilís Ní Dhuibhne entitled Aisling nó Iníon A published in 2015. It focuses on the referendum for the Repeal of the Eighth Amendment of the Constitution. The article refers to a number of instances which led to popular demand for a Repeal of the Eighth, showing how Ní Dhuibhne’s novel captures the atmosphere in Ireland prior to the referendum. The principal character in the novel is fifteen-year-old Aisling, whose name is a fitting one relating to Ireland, her literature and her history. The novel is situated in Dublin where Eibhlín, Aisling’s mother, is a well-off journalist and her father is frequently away from home due to his occupation. Aisling’s mother is against the repeal of the amendment and brings her daughter, who supports the amendment, to demonstrations that support Eibhlín’s stance. Aisling’s friend Sara has gone to London for an abortion and Ní Dhuibhne spares no details regarding the procedure and its effects underlining the word-of-mouth aspect to the dissemination of such information. The narration draws a comparison between the wolf in the tale of Little Red Riding Hood and the father of Aisling’s foetus. The novel dispels some of the secrecy associated with topics that were, and often still are, ‘taboo’ as Ní Dhuibhne weaves the information into her novel. This serves to remind the reader why a majority voted in favour of the Eighth Amendment.