The Portrayal of Madness in the Limerick Press 1772-1845

Abstract

This thesis examines the treatment of madness and the mad in the Irish provincial newspaper press between 1772 and 1843. It concentrates largely on the Limerick press, contextualising its treatment of the subject by reference to the Dublin press and contemporary publications. The study focuses on the institutions established to cater for the mad, significant mad individuals of the period, the criminalisation of the affliction in the press, the ‘othering’ of the mad and madness, and the medicalization of the ‘mad industry’ over time.