Female Irish Research Articles

Blue Sunglasses and New Habits: Female Correspondence Networks and the Irish Religious Diaspora

Abstract During the nineteenth century female Irish religious orders established missions across the Irish diaspora which were designed with flexibility and adaptation in mind. The Sisters of Mercy's personal letter networks allowed these women, who were often very young, to continue their religious and technical “apprenticeship” while abroad. These letters enabled women in the diaspora to maintain a sense of consistency and belonging across the oceans: with their sisters in Ireland and elsewhere in the world on an ethnic and institutional level. Engaging with these letters as both intimate conversations and professional reflections presents opportunities for investigating how long-distance institutional memory was developed and a continuing connection to Ireland and Irishness maintained. This article moves the focus of ethnic culture brokers from the priest and bishop to the formal and informal networks of women religious who worked within a system designed for men. In doing so, it demonstrates that these letters provided an important extra layer to public global Irish networks, a layer which acted as both a whisper network and an opportunity for reflection on efficient methods for varied work in large, fluctuating, and cross-class ethnic communities.

Patient-Specific Synthetic Osteochondral Resurfacing of an Extensive Shoulder OCD Lesion in a Dog

AbstractThe aim of this study was to describe template-guided implantation and clinical outcome of a patient-specific resurfacing implant for an extensive humeral head osteochondritis in a client-owned dog. An 8-month-old intact female Irish Wolfhound, weighing 45 kg, exhibiting lameness in the right thoracic limb, and diagnosed with an extensive caudocentral humeral head osteochondritis. Based on computed tomography data, an anatomically contoured patient-specific implant (Ø 25 mm) was created. The implant consisted of a trabecular titanium base and a polycarbonate urethane bearing cup. For intraoperative guidance, a surgical drill guide, models of the affected humeral head, and trial implants were 3D printed. The implantation procedure was performed using the modified Cheli approach. Orthopaedic and radiographic follow-up examinations were conducted at 6 weeks and 10 months postoperatively. The examination revealed stable implant position, and some mild residual lameness at 6 weeks. Furthermore, the mild osteophytosis, initially evident on the day of surgery, showed a progression during each subsequent follow-up. Complications were not observed at any time point. At 10 months, the dog was free of lameness and exhibited no functional impairment, even after strenuous exercise. This level of activity remained unchanged up to the latest follow-up at 18 months, as confirmed during a telephonic interview. The utilization of a patient-specific resurfacing implant using a guided approach was technically feasible and resulted in excellent short- to mid-term clinical outcome in this case of extensive caudocentral humeral head osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) lesion. However, it is crucial to note that the potential influence of the implant on osteoarthritis progression requires further investigation.

Revising Robert Burns and the ‘No Female Bards’ of Ulster-Scots Poetry

John Hewitt’s claim to ‘no female bards’ as part of the revival of what he called the rhyming weaver poets tradition narrowed the scope of scholarly interest, just as the once popular claim that many of the writers in this tradition were simply Robert Burns imitators had done. A variety of publications have provided a range of in-depth studies on the impact of Robert Burns in Ireland, and have done much to challenge the latter claim. However, the presence and output of Ulster-Scots women writers within this wider area of scholarship remains little known. Consequently, by exploring poetry from three writers, Olivia Elder, Sarah Leech and Margaret Dixon McDougall, this essay aims to advance several lesser-known eighteenth and nineteenth-century female Irish poets, add depth to the study of Ulster-Scots women’s writing, and provide new perspectives on Burns in Ireland.

Assessment of urinary cystine concentration in dogs in the Czech Republic

The prevalence of cystinuria as an inborn error of metabolism in dogs is unknown. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of cystinuria in dogs of various breeds in the Czech Republic. In total, 326 voided urine samples from client owned dogs were obtained. Samples were divided into four groups according to the breed - Irish Terriers (n = 58), Dachshunds (n = 67), French Bulldogs (n = 64) and a group of various breeds (n = 137). Urinary cystine concentration was measured using liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry, urinary creatinine concentration was determined by Jaffe method. Samples with urinary cystine concentrations above 178 µmol/g creatinine were considered as cystinuric. Urinary cystine concentration above the upper limit was found in 71 dogs (21.8%) with significantly higher incidence in intact males of Irish Terriers. In general, cystinuria was more common in intact males. In Irish Terriers, Dachshunds, French Bulldogs, German Shorthaired Pointer, Pomeranian, and Fox Terrier, cystinuria was identified in females. Cystinuria appears to be a relatively common finding in dogs in the Czech Republic, with some breeds being more affected. The finding of cystinuria in two female Irish Terriers calls into question the classification of cystinuria in this breed as androgen dependent only. The detection of cystinuria in related dogs suggests that other individuals in the same family should be examined as part of the management of a cystinuric patient.

Motor Competence Among Irish Adolescents: An Investigation of Sex Differences and Relatedness Between Fundamental Movement Skills and Functional Movement.

In prior research, Irish youth displayed poor motor competence across fundamental movement skills (FMS) and functional movements (FM). Our purpose in this study was to compare FMS and FM across male and female Irish adolescents and to determine whether there are associations between these movement domains. We collected data on 373 adolescents (178 females; M age = 14.38, SD = 0.87years) from six Irish secondary schools, including motor competence testing of 10 FMS, and 7 FM. Overall levels of motor competence of both FMS and FM were low, and certain levels of dysfunctional movement were high. We observed significant sex-based differences in both FMS and FM, and there was a moderate association between FMS and FM that warrants further investigation. There is a need for societal intervention and policy changes to address low levels of motor competence among adolescent youth.

Sacred Sisters: Gender, Sanctity and Power in Medieval Ireland

Sacred Sisters: Gender, Sanctity and Power in Medieval Ireland

Case series: Psychosocial challenges of female youth within the Irish Travelling community.

The Irish Travelling community are an ethnic minority group known for their distinct identity, traditions and language. Although this group has its roots in Ireland, they are marginalised and discriminated against by every part of Irish society. Irish Travellers are a group who are vulnerable to exclusion and experience health, economic and educational inequalities. Young female Irish Travellers in Ireland are highly susceptible to mental illnesses which makes the engagement of this ethnic group by healthcare services important. To review the cases of three female adolescents from the Irish Travelling community living in Ireland with a focus on their psycho-social difficulties. Complete a literature review, to complement and inform the three cases reviewed, on the socio-cultural and mental health challenges which effect adolescent females in the Irish Travelling community. Case series with literature search and review of relevant published articles using a keyword search of databases PubMed, PsycINFO and HSE protocols and reports. Hand searching of relevant references utilised. Informed signed consent obtained from each patient attending child and adolescent services in Ireland. Signed parental consent also obtained. Written consent obtained due to the use of patient history and assessments in the case series. Adolescent females within the Irish Travelling community encounter particular difficulties within the moral constraints and expectations of this community. They encounter specific issues including mental illness, sexual stigma, domestic violence and limitations to the role of women. The three cases outlined give representative examples of the challenges faced by adolescent females within the Travelling community. Psychiatric services need to be aware of this vulnerable group and focus on the recognition of their needs within the context of their community.

Working in complex contexts; mother social workers and the mothers they meet

ABSTRACT Drawing on findings from a psycho-social qualitative doctoral study, this paper considers the intimate and extraordinary emotional intensity, ambivalence and pain associated with the experience of mother social workers engaging with mothers and their infants in the context of child protection work. In this yearlong study undertaken with a group of female Irish child protection social workers, their role as mothers was an unanticipated emergent theme and was found to be inextricably linked to their work and their capacity for realistic decision-making. We consider the wider contexts of societal ambivalence about motherhood, mothering and social work itself, as a way of locating these experiences as fully psycho-social. The work discussion seminars offered as part of the research study afforded a rare opportunity for workers to talk about predicaments, failures and worries, in conditions of containment for anxiety, support for their learning, and a confidential reflective setting.

Characteristics of Eight Irish Dance LandingsConsiderations for Training and Overuse Injury Prevention.

Irish dance has evolved in aesthetics that lead to greater physical demands on dancers' bodies. Irish dancers must land from difficult moves without letting their knees bend or heels touch the ground, causing large forces to be absorbed by the body. The majority of injuries incurred by Irish dancers are due to overuse (79.6%). The purpose of this study was to determine loads on the body of female Irish dancers, including peak force, rise rate of force, and impulse, in eight common Irish hard shoe and soft shoe dance movements. It was hypothesized that these movements would produce different ground reac- tion force (GRF) characteristics. Sixteen female Irish dancers were recruited from the three highest competitive levels. Each performed a warm-up, reviewed the eight movements, and then performed each movement three times on a force plate, four in soft shoes and four in hard shoes. Ground reaction forces were measured using a three-dimensional force plate recording at 1,000 Hz. Peak force, rise rate, and vertical impulse were calculated. Peak forces normalized by each dancer's body weight for each of these variables were significantly different between move- ments and shoe types [F(15, 15)= 65.4, p < 0.01; F(15, 15) = 65.0, p < 0.01; and F(15, 15) = 67.4, p < 0.01, respectively]. The variable years of experience was not correlated with peak force, rise rate, or impulse (p > 0.40). It is concluded that there was a large range in GRF characteristics among the eight movements studied. Understanding the force of each dance step will allow instructors to develop training routines that help dancers adapt gradually to the high forces experienced in Irish dance training and competitions, thereby limiting the potential for overuse injuries.

Injury Trends in Irish Amateur Rugby: An Epidemiological Comparison of Men and Women.

Background:Rugby union is a physically demanding sport that carries an inherent risk of injury. Despite being a popular and widely played team sport, little is known about injuries occurring across the male and female amateur game.Purpose:To establish and compare injury incidence, nature, and severity in male and female Irish amateur rugby union.Study Design:Prospective cohort study.Level of Evidence:Level 3.Methods:Data were collected prospectively from 25 male teams (959 players) and 8 female teams (234 players) over 2 full seasons. Both time-loss (24-hour time-loss injury definition) and non-time-loss match injury reports were collected, alongside match exposure data.Results:Time-loss match injury incidence rates were 49.1/1000 and 35.6/1000 player-hours for male and female players, respectively. Concussion and ankle ligament sprains were the most common diagnoses for male (5.6/1000 and 4.4/1000 player-hours, respectively) and female players (5.5/1000 and 3.9/1000 player-hours, respectively). Anterior cruciate ligament injuries presented the highest injury burden for male and female players with 200.3 and 307.2 days of absence per 1000 player-hours, respectively. In female players, 83% of noncontact injuries occurred in the fourth quarter of match play.Conclusion:While female players had a lower overall injury incidence rate compared with male players, concussion and ankle ligament injuries were the most common injuries in both cohorts. In female players, a high rate of noncontact injuries in the second half points to the need for strength and conditioning training programs to reduce fatigue-related injuries.Clinical Relevance:Establishing the incidence and burden of rugby-related injuries is an essential step in minimizing injury risk. This epidemiological information will aid the development of future reduction strategies, including education and coaching strategies and strength and conditioning programs, informed by the most common injuries observed and the mechanism of injury.

Characteristics Of Eight Irish Dance Landings: Implications For Overuse Injury And Training

The aesthetics in Irish dance have evolved to create greater physical demands on dancer’s bodies. Irish dancers must land from difficult movements without letting their knees bend or heels touch the ground, causing large forces to be absorbed by the body. The majority of injuries incurred by Irish dancers are due to overuse (79.6%). PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine loads on the body in female Irish dancers, including peak force, rise rate of force, and impulse in selected Irish hard shoe and soft shoe dance movements. It was hypothesized that the 8 movements would produce different GRF characteristics. METHODS: Sixteen female Irish dancers were recruited from the three highest competitive levels. Each performed a warm-up, reviewed 8 common Irish dance movements, and then performed each movement three times upon a force plate. Of the 8 movements, 4 were performed in soft shoes and 4 were performed in hard shoes. Ground reaction forces (GRFs) were measured using a three-dimensional force plate recording at 1000 Hz. Peak force, rise rate, and vertical impulse were calculated. GRFs were normalized by each dancer’s body weight. RESULTS: Peak forces, rise rates, and impulses were significantly different across movements (F = 65.4, p < 0.01; F = 65.0, p < 0.01; and F = 67.4, p < 0.01 respectively). The movement with the highest peak force was the stomp. The movement with the highest rise rate was the double-toe. The movement with the highest impulse was the leap. The skip had the lowest values for all GRFs measured. Individual peak forces ranged from 0.67-9.86 times body weight. Individual rise rates ranged from 10-147 body weights per second. Individual impulses ranged from −0.12 to 0.32 body weight seconds. Years of experience was not correlated with peak force, rise rate, or impulse (p > 0.40). CONCLUSIONS: There is a large range in GRF characteristics created by Irish dancers. Dance movements that have high average peak forces may be associated with higher risk of overuse injury. Irish dancers should use appropriate training methods to strengthen the tissues at greatest risk of overuse injury.

ATP2A2 SINE Insertion in an Irish Terrier with Darier Disease and Associated Infundibular Cyst Formation.

A 4-month-old female Irish Terrier presented with a well demarcated ulcerative and crusting lesion in the right ear canal. Histological analysis revealed epidermal hyperplasia with severe acantholysis affecting all suprabasal layers of the epidermis, which prompted a presumptive diagnosis of canine Darier disease. The lesion was successfully treated by repeated laser ablation of the affected epidermis. Over the course of three years, the dog additionally developed three dermal nodules of up to 4 cm in diameter that were excised and healed without complications. Histology of the excised tissue revealed multiple infundibular cysts extending from the upper dermis to the subcutis. The cysts were lined by squamous epithelium, which presented with abundant acantholysis of suprabasal keratinocytes. Infundibular cysts represent a novel finding not previously reported in Darier patients. Whole genome sequencing of the affected dog was performed, and the functional candidate genes for Darier disease (ATP2A2) and Hailey-Hailey disease (ATP2C1) were investigated. The analysis revealed a heterozygous SINE insertion into the ATP2A2 gene, at the end of intron 14, close to the boundary of exon 15. Analysis of the ATP2A2 mRNA from skin of the affected dog demonstrated a splicing defect and marked allelic imbalance, suggesting nonsense-mediated decay of the resulting aberrant transcripts. As Darier disease in humans is caused by haploinsufficiency of ATP2A2, our genetic findings are in agreement with the clinical and histopathological data and support the diagnosis of canine Darier disease.

Sport and recreation musculoskeletal injuries in Irish primary school children

Musculoskeletal injury in children can lead to negative physical, psychological and socio-economic effects. This study aimed to examine sport and recreation injury incidence in Irish primary school children. A cross-sectional survey of 842 male and female Irish primary school children (9.62 ± 1.7 years) was conducted. Parents completed a questionnaire examining estimated weekly participation in sport and recreation and any injuries sustained in the previous 12 months that resulted in restricted performance, restricted ability to fully take part in or time lost from sport, recreational activities or school. Overall, 28.3% sustained an injury in one year, of which 30% presented to their local hospital emergency department. Sports injuries (.15 per 1,000 hours) were significantly more common than recreational injuries (.04 per 1,000 hours). Contact injuries were predominant (78.4%), with falling (19.3%), running (16.9%) and tackling/being tackled (16.5%) most common. Finger/thumb and ankle injuries were most common. Knee injuries resulted in the greatest injury burden (4.77 days absent per 1,000 hours of sport and recreation) and 3 in 10 injuries were referred for a scan. A multi-level approach to managing and reducing sport and recreation musculoskeletal injuries in primary school children that targets all relevant stakeholders including parents, teachers, coaches and the children themselves should be considered to promote safe play and sporting participation for children.

Does fundamental movement skill proficiency vary by sex, class group or weight status? Evidence from an Irish primary school setting

ABSTRACTThis study examined fundamental movement skill (FMS) proficiency among male (N = 216) and female (N = 198) Irish primary school pupils from Year 2 to Year 7 (9.0 ± 1.7 years). Following anthropometric measurements, participants were video-recorded performing 15 FMS and scored using the TGMD-3, Victorian Fundamental Movement skills Manual and the Get skilled: Get active guidelines. Percentage mastery ranged between 1.4% (gallop) and 35.7% (slide). A two-way ANOVA evaluated the effect of sex (male/female) and class group (Year 2/3/4/5/6/7) on individual skills, locomotor subtest, object-control subtest and total TGMD-3 (GMQ) scores. No significant sex ×class interaction effects were found. Large effect sizes were reported for male superiority in object-control subtest (ηp2 = 0.26) and GMQ (ηp2 = 0.16) scores (both p < 0.001). Older classes had higher object-control subtest scores than younger classes, but scores plateaued after Year 5. Furthermore, overweight participants had significantly lower locomotor subtest (p < 0.001, d = 0.7), object-control subtest (p = 0.03, d = 0.3) and GMQ scores (p < 0.001, d = 0.5) than non-overweight participants. This study highlights very poor levels of FMS mastery among Irish schoolchildren and stresses the need for developmentally appropriate, FMS intervention programmes that are inclusive regardless of age, sex or weight status.

Lower Limb and Trunk Biomechanics After Fatigue in Competitive Female Irish Dancers.

Because of the increasing popularity of participation in Irish dance, the incidence of lower limb injuries is high among this competitive population. To investigate the effects of fatigue on the peak lower limb and trunk angles as well as the peak lower limb joint forces and moments of competitive female Irish dancers during the performance of a dance-specific single-limb landing. Cross-sectional study. Laboratory. Fourteen healthy, female, competitive Irish dancers (age = 19.4 ± 3.7 years, height = 165.3 ± 5.9 cm, mass = 57.9 ± 8.2 kg). Participants performed an Irish dance-specific leap before and after a dance-specific fatigue protocol. During each landing movement, 3-dimensional lower limb kinematics (250 Hz) and ground reaction forces (1000 Hz) were collected. Paired t tests were performed to determine the differences (P ≤ .05) in lower limb and trunk biomechanics prefatigue and postfatigue. Peak lower limb and trunk angles as well as peak lower limb joint reaction forces and external moments. Compared with the prefatigue trials, dancers landed with reduced ankle plantar flexion (P = .003) and hip external rotation (P = .007) and increased hip-adduction alignment (P = .034) postfatigue. Dancers displayed greater anterior shear (P = .003) and compressive (P = .024) forces at the ankle and greater external knee-flexion moments (P = .024) during the postfatigue compared with the prefatigue landing trials. When fatigued, dancers displayed a decline in landing performance in terms of aesthetics as well as increased ankle- and knee-joint loading, potentially exposing them to a greater risk of injuries.

First Metatarsal Stress Fracture of a pre-adolescent female Irish dancer with Medial Plantar Foot Pain: A Case Report

First Metatarsal Stress Fracture of a pre-adolescent female Irish dancer with Medial Plantar Foot Pain: A Case Report

‘I never could forget my darling mother’: the language of recollection in a corpus of female Irish emigrant correspondence

The post-famine period from the 1850s to the 1920s was a time that saw a significant increase in female migration from Ireland to North America. A small glimpse into the lives of these women – their preoccupations, feelings, perceptions and beliefs – can be found in the letters they wrote home to their families. This article uses a mixed methods approach to analyse the letters of one female Irish emigrant called Julia Lough. First, a close, qualitative reading of the letters is carried out to identify topics and themes within the discourse. Computational methods are then used to examine the language of one of those topics - ‘Recollections’ - to see what linguistic patterns emerge. The essay concludes by discussing how memories of events, people and places contribute to a sense of closeness and attachment between author and recipient.

Reproductive Biology Including Evidence for Superfetation in the European Badger Meles meles (Carnivora: Mustelidae).

The reproductive biology of the European badger (Meles meles) is of wide interest because it is one of the few mammal species that show delayed implantation and one of only five which are suggested to show superfetation as a reproductive strategy. This study aimed to describe the reproductive biology of female Irish badgers with a view to increasing our understanding of the process of delayed implantation and superfetation. We carried out a detailed histological examination of the reproductive tract of 264 female badgers taken from sites across 20 of the 26 counties in the Republic of Ireland. The key results show evidence of multiple blastocysts at different stages of development present simultaneously in the same female, supporting the view that superfetation is relatively common in this population of badgers. In addition we present strong evidence that the breeding rate in Irish badgers is limited by failure to conceive, rather than failure at any other stages of the breeding cycle. We show few effects of age on breeding success, suggesting no breeding suppression by adult females in this population. The study sheds new light on this unusual breeding strategy of delayed implantation and superfetation, and highlights a number of significant differences between the reproductive biology of female Irish badgers and those of Great Britain and Swedish populations.

Total excision of a caudal mediastinal paraoesophageal abscess in a dog

A three-year-old female Irish setter dog presented with a history of shallow breathing, pyrexia and regurgitation. CT imaging revealed a 13×7×5 cm caudal mediastinal mass extending from the level of...

Visibility and invisibility: Exploring the representation of women and men in Irish politics. The example of the 2011 broadcasts.

Although the socio-economic situation of Ireland has improved in the last decade, the situation of women continues to be unequal to men and there are certain limitations in their rights. Despite well-known exceptions, women have tended to be underrepresented in Irish politics. However, in the last elections some of them decided to run for the Republic’s presidency as well as to become the first female Irish Prime Minister. In this sense, this research paper will try to contribute to the representation of women in the 2011 campaigns. Both general and presidential referendums will be under analysis. Our sample will consist of the most representative TV broadcasts of the main political parties (i.e. Fianna Feil, Fine Gael, Sinn Fein, among others). As regards methodology, we will aim for the combination of critical discourse analysis and multimodal critical discourse analysis in order to observe the main visual representation of politicians as social actors (van Leeuwen, 2008), and consider the possible similarities and differences between women and men politicians. The study aims to observe if there are as many women as men politicians in the broadcasts of the 2011 electoral campaigns in Ireland and to pay attention to the way women and men politicians are portrayed in the broadcasts under analysis. The analysis will show that politicians are portrayed as elite individuals, that there is a general positive representation of the candidates and that women are underrepresented in Irish politics, which points out that it continues being a challenge for democracy the participation of women in politics since their representation or role is not equal compared to men.