Betwixt The Sheets: The History of Sex, Scandal & Society

Inside Europe's Biggest Red Light District

Feb 21, 2025

Caroline West, author of "Wrong Women: Selling Sex in Monto, Dublin's Forgotten Red Light District," shares insights on Dublin's Monto, Europe's largest red light district from 1860 to 1925. She discusses the challenges and resilience of sex workers, their tight-knit community amid hardship, and their surprising influence on fashion trends. The conversation highlights the complex morality surrounding sex work and the historical stigma faced by women labeled as 'fallen,' while emphasizing ongoing battles for recognition and rights in today's society.

51:47

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Caroline West

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Quick takeaways

Dublin's Monto district, thriving between 1860 and 1925, became a crucial refuge for women escaping poverty and violence.

The Contagious Diseases Act marked a significant turning point, subjecting sex workers to invasive procedures under the guise of public health.

Despite societal stigma and systemic exploitation, women in Monto fostered a resilient community that provided mutual support and agency.

Deep dives

Dublin's Red-Light District

Dublin's Monto district served as a significant red-light area between 1860 and 1925, housing up to 1,600 sex workers at any given time. This small area, characterized by dense tenement housing and a network of narrow alleyways, became a refuge for countless women seeking escape from dire circumstances. Proximity to military barracks and docks made Monto an ideal location for a bustling sex trade, attracting soldiers, sailors, and other patrons. The stories woven into this district reveal a rich tapestry of survival amidst societal stigma and hardship.

Intro

3min

Unveiling Dublin's Monto: A Hidden History

17min

Surviving and Thriving in Monto: The Resilience of Community

4min

The Struggles and Resilience of Women in Sex Work

15min

Glamour and Ruthlessness in the Red-Light District

5min

Fashion, Feminism, and the Fight for Recognition

10min

Exploring a Forgotten Red Light District in Dublin

2min

Between 1860 and 1925, tens of thousands of women worked in Dublin's Monto, the largest red light district in Europe.

It was a world of narrow alleyways full of brothels busy with sex workers, at a time when the Catholic church was trying to establish ideas around what a woman should be. Hint: it was very different to the women of Monto.

What was life like for the women who lived and worked in Monto? How did these 'poor unfortunates', as they were known, create a community and support each other amidst such hard times? And how did they influence fashion trends of the time?

Joining Kate today is the fantastic Caroline West, author of Wrong Women: Selling Sex in Monto, Dublin's Forgotten Red Light District, which is available now.

This episode was edited by Tom Delargy and produced by Stuart Beckwith. The senior producer was Charlotte Long.

If you'd like to get in touch with the show you can contact us at betwixt@historyhit.com.

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All music from Epidemic Sounds.

Betwixt the Sheets: History of Sex, Scandal & Society is a History Hit podcast.

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