Sir, - We enjoyed Mary Maher's article in the "Eye on the 20th century" series (The Irish Times, November 2nd), but feel she overstated the position. The article says that without maths and science, careers in medicine, business or architecture were closed to women. In fact, without a matriculation certificate, for which maths was obligatory, university entrance was not available to either males or females.
The article also includes the statement that Ireland was one of the last states in the Western world to admit women jurors in 1976. Women could be jurors when the State was set up because that was already a British law. The 1927 Jury Act exempted women but, if qualified, they could apply. Few did, but in 1955 two women had their names put on the jurors' list and were called in 1958. One continued to serve over the following 12 years. There may have been others.
In 1973 a successful civil action case was taken on the constitutionality of the jury exemption. Women then became automatically liable for jury service on the same terms as men.
The tone of the article suggests a much bleaker picture of life in 1960s Ireland than we remember! - Yours, etc., Nellie O'Clerigh and Beatrice Dixon,
Templemore Avenue, Terenure Road, East, Rathgar, Dublin 6.