Munster plantation

Question 1

Cause

Answer 1

In 1579 the Earl of Desmond, the most powerful man in Munster rebelled against the
English Crown. Describing his rebellion as a fight for the Catholic Religion he persuaded the
Pope to send him troops. In 1581 Elizabeth sent her army into Munster to deal with the
situation. The English army laid waste to the whole of Munster, destroying farms, killing
livestock and wiping out the peoples’ ability to feed themselves. A famine resulted killing
30,000 people and the Earl of Desmond was captured and executed. To ensure the future
peace of Munster Queen Elizabeth I decided to carry out a Plantation.

Question 2

Course

Answer 2

The Government divided the Earl of Desmonds’ land into 35 huge holdings. These holdings
were granted to army officers and government officials and favourites of Queen Elizabeth.
One of these was Sir Walter Raleigh who was granted 42,000 acres near Youghal in Co.
Cork

Question 3

Consequence

Answer 3

The land was so badly
damaged as a result of the war and the famine that it was difficult to farm. The Irish, who had
been driven from their land, constantly attacked the Planters. Due to these attacks most of the
Planters fled back to England. Those who remained behind had to employ Irish workers and even rent out land to them. Also the Planters did not give enough money to support the part-time army and it was never strong enough.
On the plus side however new towns such as Bandon and Killarney were established and new
industries such as a timber export business were set up. The crown learned valuable lessons
from the Plantation and these were to be seen in the next Plantation in Ulster.