History of Ireland in 1800′s
Irish history in the 1800′s saw the introduction of the Act of Union after the Irish Rebellion of 1798 by the United Irishmen and Wolfe Tone.
England regained direct power over Ireland and became part of the state of United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. This brought major changes for the Irish people as decisions on the Irish economy would be made by people in London who had little understanding of Ireland and its needs.
The Irish are divided
The people of Ireland had been divided on the “Act of Union” with nationalists wanting Ireland run by the Irish within Ireland and who felt uncomfortable that Britain was making decisions for them. Within a few months of the Act of Union an Irish rebellion was planned by Robert Emmet but things wouldn’t go as planned and Robert’s fate was sealed.
With the majority of Unionists being descended of English and Scottish settlers from the 16th Century & 17th Century they believed they were just as much British as they were Irish and remained loyal to the British monarchy, this is where the term loyalist derived from.
During the 1830′s Daniel O’Connell attempted to have the Act of Union repealed and for an Irish Parliament to be set-up but still to have the Queen of Britain also act as the Queen of Ireland. O’Connell did this by having MP’s elected into British parliament to try and persuade the establishment of the Irish Parliament but the idea was rejected by the British and forgotten after Daniel O’Connell’s death in 1847.
Young Irelander’s
The Young Irelander’s came about in the 1840s and believed that Ireland should cut all ties with Britain and set-up a separate Irish state. The methods of the Young Irelander’s was one of force as they knew the British would never agree to a separate Irish State so during 1848 they attempted a revolution but were defeated.
Irish Republican Brotherhood
A member of the Young Irelanders by the name of James Stephens established a new movement called the Irish Republican Brotherhood (IRB) also known as the Fenian Brotherhood. Their goal was to be the same as the Young Irelanders, a free Ireland and completely separate from Britain and who were prepared to use violence to reach their goals.
The Great Famine of Ireland
Between 1846-51 Ireland was suffer from a number of different famines. These would have a drastic effect on the population with many people and other fleeing to other counties. The great famine in Ireland would become a major piece in Irish history but would also lay down the foundations of the Irish culture spreading to other parts of the world.
Gaelic Athletic Association is formed
By the late 1800′s the GAA was formed by Michael Cusack who believed that British sport was to blame as one of the reasons why Irish identity was being undermined in Ireland. The GAA had promoted athletics with Gaelic football and hurling later.
Gaelic League is formed
By 1893 the Gaelic league was formed in Ireland by Douglas Hyde and Eoin MacNeill to revive the Irish language which fading fast from Irish culture. They believed the Irish language was the key to persevering Irish culture, traditions and customs.
History Books
The Great Hunger: Ireland: 1845-1849
The failure of the potato crops covered all of the British Isles and much of Western Europe;but it was only in Ireland,and principally in the rural west,that "The Great Hunger" occured.
Paddy's Lament, Ireland 1846-1847: Prelude to Hatred
Ireland in the mid-1800s was primarily a population of peasants, forced to live on a single, moderately nutritious crop: potatoes. Suddenly, in 1846, an unknown and uncontrollable disease turned the potato crop to inedible slime, and all Ireland was threatened.
Wolfe Tone: Prophet of Irish Independence
This book presents a thorough account of Wolfe Tone's life. The account examines his actions and decisions not only in the context of his personal traits and character but expands the analysis to reflect the effects on Tone of the political turbulence of 18th century Ireland and the impact of the French Revolution.