Edna O'Brien was born in 1930 at Tuamgraney, County Clare, Ireland, a place she would later describe as "fervid" and "enclosed". From 1941 to 1946 she was educated by the Sisters of Mercy – a circumstance that contributed to a "suffocating" childhood". "I rebelled against the coercive and stifling religion into which I was born and bred. It was very frightening and all pervasive. I'm glad it has gone."

Here she observes how women were treated as she grew up;
https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m0006pjj/imagine-2019-4-edna-obrien-fearful-and-fearless
imagine...2019: 4. Edna O'Brien: Fearful... and Fearless
Contains some strong language and some upsetting scenes.
Duration 65 mins; First shown 10:30pm 7 July 2019; Available for 29 days

Ireland has made great social advances since then.