Catholic Emancipation and Resistance

Despite lengthy protests by pamphleteers and orators, the first real hint of relaxation of the penal laws came in 1782 when the Irish Parliament, led by Henry Grattan, passed a Declaration of Rights which, as well as pressing for independence for Ireland, also allowed Catholics to practise law.  The unsuccessful 1798 revolt by the United Irishmen, led by Dublin Protestant Wolfe Tone, may have been instrumental in convincing the Westminster government to impose the 1800 Act of Union.  This dissolved the Irish Parliament and saw the introduction of direct rule from England.

The first 19th century revolt against British rule was led by Robert Emmet in 1803, who attempted to seize Dublin Castle.  The most effective protest of the early part of the century was led by Daniel O’Connell, a Catholic lawyer, who later became known as ‘The Liberator’ as a result of his efforts on behalf of the people who shared his religious beliefs.  He supported mass peaceful protests and was elected an MP in 1828 but, as a Catholic, was unable to take his seat.  In response to O’Connell’s mass rallies and protests, the Emancipation Act of 1829 was passed.  O’Connell was the first Catholic to be elected Mayor of Dublin in 1841 but, when he later called for a repeal of the Act of Union, he was jailed.

The Great Famine

The history of 19th century Ireland is dominated by the Great Famine of 1845-48, which was caused by the total failure of the potato crop.  Although Irish grain was still being exported to England, around one million people died from hunger or disease.  Another one million boarded the emigrant ships and headed for the United States in search of a better life.  By 1900 the pre-famine population of 8 million had fallen by half.  Many of the poor moved into Dublin and the middle class Dubliners moved out to the suburbs.  Rural hardship fuelled a campaign for tenants’ rights that evolved into demands for independence from Britain.  Great strides towards ‘Home Rule’ were made in Parliament under the charismatic politician Charles Stewart Parnell.

Support for Home Rule

In 1902 Arthur Griffin founded the Sinn Fein newspaper; its name meaning ’Ourselves Alone’, expressed their central policy thrust and from this emerged the political party of the same name.  In 1913 the Irish Volunteers (the forerunners of the Irish Republican Army) were formed.  Political freedom became increasingly important at this time of stark poverty and violent clashes between workers and employers.  One of the leaders of the workers’ side, James Connolly would soon broaden his political agenda to Republicanism.