Book excerpt: In recent years, the role of women in country houses and estates across Ireland and the UK has been the focus of greater attention. Chatelaines, mothers, wives, daughters, widows, sisters, housekeepers, and maids were ever-present figures in the microcosm of the country house. New research has begun to reveal the extent of their involvement in managing households and estates, influencing design, adopting public roles, championing good causes, as well as raising families and committing their thoughts to paper in literary expression. This volume of essays, many of which draw on hitherto unseen family archives, will bring new perspectives to our understanding of the country house as a place where many women often held powerful roles. Contributors include: Amy Boyinton (U Cambridge), Kerry Bristol (U Leeds), Philip Bull (La Trobe U, Melbourne), Anne Casement (ind.), Jonathan Cherry (Maynooth U), Arlene Crampsie (Maynooth U), Caroline Dakers (Central St Martins), William Fraher (U Limerick), Judith Hill (Trinity College Dublin), Edmund Joyce (Carlow IT ), Ruth Larsen (U Derby), Anna Pilz (University College Cork), Lowri Ann Rees (Bangor U), Ciar���¡n Reilly (Maynooth U), Regina Sexton (University College Cork), Brendan Twomey (Trinity College Dublin), and Fiona White (Galway-Mayo IT). [Subject: History, Women's History, Gender Studies, Archives, Home Design, Sociology, Irish Studies, British Studies]