Ireland Under the Union (1800-1850)- Revision Notes
Constitutional and Revolutionary Nationalism
Henry Grattan and the Patriots
● An example of constitutional nationalism
● Protestant nationalism
● By 1750, Grattan led a group of MPs called the “Patriots” in the Irish
Parliament.
○ Grattan had some success with reform because of his dedication,
leadership skills, and oratory ability
■ Eg. the Octennial Act in 1768
● Pushed for Irish legislative independence (an independent Dublin
parliament)
● Grattan opposed the Act of Union after it was passed in 1801
○ Constitutional nationalism was a primarily Catholic movement.
However, Catholics couldn’t have a seat in parliament, so the
cause was represented by Liberal Protestants (such as the
Patriots)
○ In 1805, Grattan became an MP in Westminster
● Traditionally, the Patriots worked closely with the Catholic Committee
(showing the links between Catholic nationalism and Protestant
nationalism), which failed to effectively fight for Catholic Emancipation
because of internal divisions and poor leadership.
○ The middle classes wanted a restrained, conservative approach,
whereas the business classes were more radical because of the
economic benefits of emancipation.
○ As a result, the Catholic Committee dissolved itself in 1803
○ In 1805 it returned as the Catholic Board, but suffered from
hesitant and irregular leadership, as well as a lack of popular
support. It never amounted to mass movement.
, ○ 1808: another division occurs over giving Britain veto powers over
the appointment of Catholic bishops- this was supported by the
most conservative of the Catholic Board.
● The Patriots became aligned with the Volunteers, introducing
paramilitary forces to make the British government deliver free trade
between Britain and Ireland.
● However, Grattans ideas weren’t fulfilled as he faced a strong
anti-emancipation under Prime Minister Pitt.
● Ultimately, the Patriots were a minority and were limited in their
nationalist aspirations. Grattan’s success is less his own achievements
than how his political and military tactics inspired other nineteenth
century nationalists.
Wolfe Tone and the Society of United Irishmen
● An example of revolutionary nationalism
● Predominantly Protestant (especially Presbyterian), led by Wolfe Tone
(a Protestant)
○ Despite its Protestant origins, the Society of United Irishmen had
close ties with the Catholic Defenders
● The Society of United Irishmen was formed in 1791
○ It had approximately 280,000 members by 1797
● Demanded Catholic Emancipation and parliamentary reform
● Tone fled to France, hoping to gain support for the society’s rebellion
(which occurred in May 1798)
○ The French didn’t intervene until August 1798
○ They only brought 1100 men
○ Uprisings were uncoordinated and unsuccessful
○ Quickly crushed by General Lake
○ Approximately 30,000 killed
● The 1798 rising has been described as “the birth of revolutionary
nationalism”
, ● The failed uprising only served to increase British control over Ireland
and deepen sectarian divisions, leading to the Act of Union in 1801
● Despite clear failures, Tone and his supporters were martyred as heroes
of nationalism.
● Ultimately, Tone and his supporters were limited by a strong British
government (who made membership of the society illegal and reduced
the rebels’ access to weapons) and a lack of mass support (peasants
were more concerned with British economic tyranny than political
freedom).
Robert Emmet
● An example of revolutionary nationalism
● Emmet was a Protestant, but the social elite condemned his rebellion as
a Catholic revolt
● Inspired by the 1798 rebellion (Tone), planned alongside veterans from
the revolt (link).
● Occurred in 1803
● 50 people killed
○ Including the Lord Chief Justice and the Attorney General
The Failure of Emmet’s 1803 Rebellion
● Emmet went to France in 1802 to gain French aid (but failed)
● Questionable leadership
○ Emmet brought the rebellion forward on short notice to 23rd July
1803, resulting in a poorly planned rush
○ Last-minute, Emmet ordered his men to occupy two streets in
Dublin’s city centre instead of attacking their original target of
Dublin Castle, showing hesitant leadership.
● Only 300 men took part
○ They were untrained
● Emmet failed to inspire further uprisings immediately
Constitutional and Revolutionary Nationalism
Henry Grattan and the Patriots
● An example of constitutional nationalism
● Protestant nationalism
● By 1750, Grattan led a group of MPs called the “Patriots” in the Irish
Parliament.
○ Grattan had some success with reform because of his dedication,
leadership skills, and oratory ability
■ Eg. the Octennial Act in 1768
● Pushed for Irish legislative independence (an independent Dublin
parliament)
● Grattan opposed the Act of Union after it was passed in 1801
○ Constitutional nationalism was a primarily Catholic movement.
However, Catholics couldn’t have a seat in parliament, so the
cause was represented by Liberal Protestants (such as the
Patriots)
○ In 1805, Grattan became an MP in Westminster
● Traditionally, the Patriots worked closely with the Catholic Committee
(showing the links between Catholic nationalism and Protestant
nationalism), which failed to effectively fight for Catholic Emancipation
because of internal divisions and poor leadership.
○ The middle classes wanted a restrained, conservative approach,
whereas the business classes were more radical because of the
economic benefits of emancipation.
○ As a result, the Catholic Committee dissolved itself in 1803
○ In 1805 it returned as the Catholic Board, but suffered from
hesitant and irregular leadership, as well as a lack of popular
support. It never amounted to mass movement.
, ○ 1808: another division occurs over giving Britain veto powers over
the appointment of Catholic bishops- this was supported by the
most conservative of the Catholic Board.
● The Patriots became aligned with the Volunteers, introducing
paramilitary forces to make the British government deliver free trade
between Britain and Ireland.
● However, Grattans ideas weren’t fulfilled as he faced a strong
anti-emancipation under Prime Minister Pitt.
● Ultimately, the Patriots were a minority and were limited in their
nationalist aspirations. Grattan’s success is less his own achievements
than how his political and military tactics inspired other nineteenth
century nationalists.
Wolfe Tone and the Society of United Irishmen
● An example of revolutionary nationalism
● Predominantly Protestant (especially Presbyterian), led by Wolfe Tone
(a Protestant)
○ Despite its Protestant origins, the Society of United Irishmen had
close ties with the Catholic Defenders
● The Society of United Irishmen was formed in 1791
○ It had approximately 280,000 members by 1797
● Demanded Catholic Emancipation and parliamentary reform
● Tone fled to France, hoping to gain support for the society’s rebellion
(which occurred in May 1798)
○ The French didn’t intervene until August 1798
○ They only brought 1100 men
○ Uprisings were uncoordinated and unsuccessful
○ Quickly crushed by General Lake
○ Approximately 30,000 killed
● The 1798 rising has been described as “the birth of revolutionary
nationalism”
, ● The failed uprising only served to increase British control over Ireland
and deepen sectarian divisions, leading to the Act of Union in 1801
● Despite clear failures, Tone and his supporters were martyred as heroes
of nationalism.
● Ultimately, Tone and his supporters were limited by a strong British
government (who made membership of the society illegal and reduced
the rebels’ access to weapons) and a lack of mass support (peasants
were more concerned with British economic tyranny than political
freedom).
Robert Emmet
● An example of revolutionary nationalism
● Emmet was a Protestant, but the social elite condemned his rebellion as
a Catholic revolt
● Inspired by the 1798 rebellion (Tone), planned alongside veterans from
the revolt (link).
● Occurred in 1803
● 50 people killed
○ Including the Lord Chief Justice and the Attorney General
The Failure of Emmet’s 1803 Rebellion
● Emmet went to France in 1802 to gain French aid (but failed)
● Questionable leadership
○ Emmet brought the rebellion forward on short notice to 23rd July
1803, resulting in a poorly planned rush
○ Last-minute, Emmet ordered his men to occupy two streets in
Dublin’s city centre instead of attacking their original target of
Dublin Castle, showing hesitant leadership.
● Only 300 men took part
○ They were untrained
● Emmet failed to inspire further uprisings immediately
