Irish Women Committing Arson to be Transported

“Between 1841 and 1853, nearly 250 women were transported from Ireland to Van Diemen’s Land on the other side of the world for committing arson. During the Great Famine, the number of Irish women transported for arson increased dramatically. In comparison, only small numbers of other convicts were transported for arson.

The story of the Irish arsonists is a remarkable one, challenging the idea that Irish convict women were passive victims, particularly during the years of the Great Famine. Using original records, this study reveals the reality of convict life together with the legacy left by these women in Tasmania and beyond.”