Digital Editions

AfA/AHR/ARH Digital Edition No. 1.3

In Her Own Words: The Writings and Speeches of Elizabeth F. Bobbett (1898-1971)

Elizabeth F. Bobbett was born and raised in Dublin. From the early 1920s to the late 1960s, this feminist and female farmer ran her own mixed farm at Kilbride, County Wicklow. As co-founder of the Irish Farmers’ Federation (IFF), and, also, its general secretary from 1937 to 1954, Bobbett was a prominent public figure in rural Ireland. In April 1939, she rose to fame when she led thousands of protesting farmers from across the country through the streets of Dublin whilst riding a white horse.

'Miss Bobbett', as she was known in public, was a charismatic leader and an eloquent speaker on hundreds of public platforms, at county council debates, committee meetings and lecture halls. Bobbett, who ran unsuccessfully for a Dáil seat in 1943 (Dublin County) and 1953 (Wicklow), served as a member of Wicklow County Council from 1950 to 1955. As a farmer and feminist, she not only challenged ministers and successive Taoisigh from public platforms but also wrote countless articles and letters to authorities and newspapers. These interventions sparked hundreds of responses. They are published here for the first time, together with Elizabeth F. Bobbett’s own writings and speeches.

This digital edition is divided into four parts:

  • Part 1 contains 321 texts (letters, articles, etc.) written by Elizabeth F. Bobbett herself, during 1927-1971 (arranged thematically, arranged chronologically)
  • Part 2 contains 150 speeches and statements by Elizabeth F. Bobbett as reported in newspapers, during 1935-1965 (arranged chronologically)
  • Part 3 contains 727 texts written by contemporaries about or addressed to Elizabeth F. Bobbett
  • Part 4 contains 25 source texts which are important for the contextualisation of Elizabeth F. Bobbett’s public activities

Parts 3 and 4 will be published online in March 2027. Later in 2027 a biography of Elizabeth F. Bobbett, written by Peter Moser and Tony Varley, will be available in print.

Editorial notes and acknowledgments

Suggested citation: Peter Moser (ed.), In her own Words. The Writings of Elizabeth F. Bobbett (1898-1971). Farmer, Feminist and Public Figure, Bern, 2026.

Part 1: 321 Texts arranged thematically (or chronologically)

Go to Part 2: Speeches by Bobbett

Elizabeth Bobbett was not only general secretary of the Irish Farmers’ Federation, she also led the farmers in the fields. Source: Archives of Rural History, Bern.


Overview of the texts written by Elizabeth Bobbett, the speeches she delivered, and the reports written about her.

Table of Contents

1. Texts by Elizabeth F. Bobbett

1.1. Correspondence

1.1.1. Private letters

1.1.2. Letters to the authorities

1.1.3. Letters to newspapers

1.1.4. Advertisements and announcements in newspapers

1.2. Published Texts

1.2.1. Articles in yearbooks and anthologies

1.3. Miscellaneous publications

1.3.1. Texts stopped by the censor

1.4. Oral statements

1.4.1. Evidence to the Commission on Vocational Organisation

1.4.2. Interview in: Model Farmer and Stockbreeder

1. Texts by Elizabeth F. Bobbett

1.1. Correspondence

1.1.1. Private letters

1.1.2. Letters to the authorities

1.1.3. Letters to newspapers

1.1.4. Advertisements and announcements in newspapers

1.2. Published Texts

1.2.1. Articles in yearbooks and anthologies

1.3. Miscellaneous publications

1.3.1. Texts stopped by the censor

1.4. Oral statements

1.4.1. Evidence to the Commission on Vocational Organisation

1.4.2. Interview in: Model Farmer and Stockbreeder