The Catholic emancipation movement and the Society of United Irishmen, 1788-1798

Abstract

The turmoils and character of the present-day Irish people can best be understood through a knowledge of the events which occurred and relationships that existed nearly 200 years ago. For their support of James II in 1690, the Irish Catholics were gradually placed under a system of Penal Laws. These laws were completed in 1727 and were to remain in full effect for over half a century. Although not rigidly enforced, their existence made the Irish Catholics second-class citizens and assured an Anglican Ascendancy of wealth and power.

In the late 1780's and during the 1790's bad economic conditions related to overpopulation, and the outside influences of the American and French Revolutions, effected an increase in Catholic agitation for a better life. In 1791, the Society of United Irishmen was founded in order to combine these Catholic desires with the northern Irish Presbyterian political goals of a legislature representative of ill Irishmen and the end of British power and dominance in Ireland. Government opposition, followed by begrudged concession succeeded by increased opposition, caused the United Irishmen to become more and more radical until they no longer operated within the framework of the law.

After 1795, Catholics and Presbyterians began to drift apart because of Government and landlord intrigue. The United Irishmen still pressed forward toward a rebellion which they trusted would be aided by republican France and accomplish the freedom of Ireland. The outbreak of rebellion in May, 1798, saw not the French nor did the termination of it see Irish freedom. The religious animosities it brought into the open, along with its spirit, continue to exist to the present day--witnessed by the existence of the troubled British province of Northern Ireland and the free Republic of Ireland to the south.