1798 Rebellion

Question 1

Causes of 1798 Rebellion

Answer 1

1. The Power of Protestant Ascendancy:
   There was an Irish parliament in Dublin with limited powers over Irish affairs. This was controlled by the Protestant Ascendancy class as only Church of Ireland members (Anglicans) could vote and become MPs. They owned 80% of the land but made up only 15% of the population.
2. The position of Catholics:
   Catholics made up 75% of the population but only owned about 15% of the land. Catholics were discriminated against by the Penal Laws. In rural areas, secret groups such as the Whiteboys savagely attacked Protestant landlords in protest.
3. The Position of Presbyterians:
   Presbyterians were also not allowed to vote or sit in parliament, though they were not subjected to the harshest of the Penal Laws. They made up about 10% of the population, and were concentrated around Belfast.
4. The influence of the American and French Revolutions:
   The events of the American and French Revolutions had a big impact on Ireland. They were widely reported in Irish newspapers. Many Catholics and Presbyterians were excited by and attracted to the ideas of liberty and equality behind these revolutions.

Question 2

Course of Rebellion in Wexford

Answer 2

Wexford saw the most intensive action of the rebellion. Wexford had a more mixed population than most areas, with large numbers of Anglicans. The rebels were led by a Catholic priest, Fr John Murphy of Boolavogue, and were armed mainly with pikes. The rebellion quickly spread throughout the county. The main force of the rebels, including their leaders, was surrounded and defeated at Vinegar Hill by General Lake on 21 June. Wexford saw the only atrocities committed by the rebels during the 1798 Rebellion. Some 200 Protestants were burned alive in a barn at Scullabogue and another 100 were massacred in Wexford town.

Question 3

Consequences of 1798 Rebellion

Answer 3

1. Growth of Sectarianism
   The events of 1798 intensified sectarian divisions in Ireland between Catholics and Protestants. News of the atrocities against Protestants in Wexford spread. The Orange Order claimed that the rebellion was a Catholic plot to take over the country and oppress all Protestants. Irish politics became increasingly divided on the basis of religion.
2. The Act of Union
   After two attempted French invasions and a failed rebellion, the government in London decided to bring Ireland back under its direct control. It used a mixture of bribery and threats to get the Dublin parliament to pass the Act of Union 1800, which abolished the parliament in Dublin. Irish MPs went to Westminster and Ireland was run from there for the next 120 years.
3. Irish republicanism
   Despite his failed rebellion, Wolfe Tone’s dream of an independent Irish republic based on equality between Catholics and Protestants inspired many who came after him. He became known as the ‘Father of Irish Republicanism’ and his ideas inspired Robert Emmet, the Young Irelanders and the Fenians, as well as the leaders of the 1916 Easter Rising.