18th Century Ireland Articles - Early Revolutionary Parties by Dr. Samuel Couch

Article: 18th Century Ireland
III. Early Revolutionary Parties and Irish Opposition

by Dr. Sam Couch, Ph. D.
Owner, Rising Road Tours

The destruction of Irish trade led to the development of oath-bound secret societies. The Whiteboys began in 1761. This was a mixed group of tradesmen in Waterford, Cork, Limerick and Tipperary. They worked against the oppressions of the landlords. Often they were ruthless in their actions. In Ulster Protestant societies arose. The Hearts of Oak and the Steel Boys worked to put down unjust and intolerable rents. They often were merciless as the Whiteboys.

The Patriots kept up opposition to oppression of the Irish populace. They bothered the government with pamphlets, newspaper articles and parliamentary actions. The viceroys and government tried to bribe them into silence by granting pensions, situations and titles. The main body of Patriots remained firm and solid in opposition, though some of the members fell to the enticements.

During the last half of the century, three great men began to lead in public affairs. Edmund Burke, Dublin-born in 1730; Henry Flood born near Kilkenny in 1732; and Henry Grattan, Dublin 1746. Burke worked in the English parliament; the others in the Irish. Burke and Grattan favored Catholic emancipation. Flood did not, but he supported all other reforms.

When the American War for Independence broke out, England put an embargo on export of provision from Irish ports. This measure ruined many Irish of all religious persuasions since people could not sell their products.

By 1778 many of the worst Penal Laws were repealed. Catholics could lease land for 999 years. The Test Act, under which conformance to the English Church was required for enfranchisement, was repealed. This relieved Presbyterians as well as Catholics. The embargo against trade in Irish goods finally was removed as England steadily lost the war in America.

Ireland was unprotected from invasion during the American war since England had pulled most of its soldiers for that effort. In 1779 the Irish people led by Lord Charlemont led a group of volunteers for self-defense. The ultimate number was 100,000; although no Catholics were allowed to participate in the beginning. Although the government did not approve of the organization of the Volunteers, they could not stop its growth. Ultimately Catholics were admitted and some even became leaders.

Most people were discontent: Catholics because of the Penal Laws and both Catholics and Protestants because of trade restrictions. As a result more secret societies arose; many caused great damage. In the south there were the Rightboys. In the North rose the Peep-o'-day Boys in Protestant ranks and the Catholic Defenders. They were ruthless and often engaged in maiming and killing of rival groups.

In 1787 Parliament passed a severe insurrection bill to put down these secret societies. Grattan had called for investigation into the state of things causing such groups and seeking a remedy; but the government refused to investigate.

Once again events in England affected Ireland. In 1788 George III had an attack of insanity. The Prince of Wales was made regent. The English Parliament gave the prince less power and privileges than his father. The Irish parliament, by a large majority, but against the wish of the government, gave the prince powers of regency over Ireland without limitation. The lord lieutenant refused to forward the bill to England. The parliament sent a deputation to tender the offer to the prince. The king's recovery in February 1789 ended the dispute but this disagreement was used later as an argument by William Pitt to favor union with Britain. His argument was that the two kingdoms might choose two different regents which could lead to serious problems.

This series of articles is based on lectures given by Dr. Samuel Couch to Irish Studies courses at Georgia Southern University and Young Harris College between 1997 and 2004. Documented sources come from Couch's research and studies in American universities and with scholars in Ireland. The articles are in no way intended to be comprehensive.

Background materials come from, but are not limited to, readings in the following books:

Duffy, Sean, ed., Atlas of Irish History. Gill & Macmillan: Dublin. 1997.
Joyce, P.W., Outlines of the History of Ireland from the Earliest Times to 1905. M.H. Gill & Son: Dublin. 1909.
Killeen, Richard, A Short History of Ireland. Gill & Macmillan: Dublin. 1994.
Smyth, Daragh, A Guide to Irish Mythology. 2nd ed. Irish Academic Press: Dublin. 1996.

Any lack of attribution to primary sources is unintentional and the sole responsibility of Dr. Couch.

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Article: 18th Century Ireland III. Early Revolutionary Parties and Irish Opposition

Article: 18th Century Ireland
III. Early Revolutionary Parties and Irish Opposition