In November 1995, the Irish people voted in a referendum to legalize divorce, overturning a constitutional ban that had been in place since 1937. The vote, which was narrowly passed, was a significant social change, reflecting the growing secularization of Irish society. The legalization of divorce was a landmark moment in the history of modern Ireland.

The legalization of divorce is a subject of social commentary in Irish poetry, with writers exploring the changing moral landscape of Ireland. The vote is often contrasted with the conservative values of the past, creating a sense of progress. The poetry of the period reflects the transformation of Irish society, a theme that would persist in the literature of the late 20th century.