Notions of self-reliance and social and
cultural superiority which fed early twentieth-century nationalism in
Europe had little place for those seen as the undeserving poor.
Welfare reform, especially of the Irish Poor Law system, was a key facet
of republicanism and nationalism in revolutionary and Free State
Ireland. While the focus has traditionally been on the political,
militaristic and, more recently, cultural aspects of this highly
formative period, closer exploration of welfare and poor law reform
provides much insight into the social attitudes underpinning Irish
society.