The Irish Land Issue 1870-82
Land is significant in Ireland as the only significant natural resource is the fertile soil
Antagonism between those who own the land and live on the land
Control of this valuable resource promoted the dominance of an Anglo-Irish landowning class who
exerted influence over Irish population who were dependent on the land
An unequal balance developed in which rural Ireland inhabitants lived on small plots of land let to
them either directly by landowners or a middleman
Legal foundation which leasing was based upon = conacre (system whereby a tenant is leased land
for growing a single crop on short term leases)
Provided the tenant with no legal claim to the land as rent was paid only in cash and labour
Leases under this system granted a landholding claim for 11 months of the year and the landlord
has no legal obligation to them
Tenants could be charged excessive rates and have no legal protection
Benefit of the landowner at the expense of the tenant
Vulnerability of tenants exemplified in the when famine hit the country – 1mill died of
hunger/related disease
Impact of famine:
- Landholdings became increasingly more consolidated, and agriculture diversified
- Finical agreements favoured the landowner
- Relationship between landowner and tenants continued to be strained
What was the significance of demands for land reform in 1870?
Dublin Land Conference
After the famine land issue became linked to the nationalist agenda
- Young Ireland 1848
- Irish republican brotherhood 1858
Symbol of British oppression since land ownership lay primarily with British or Anglo-Irish
Anglo-Irish were impacted by famine but not to the same extent as the poorer, Catholic Irish who
suffering was intensified as a result of eviction from the land
Land question became important for British politicians seeking to keep Ireland pacified
Gladstone formed his first administration 1868 (won GE following Fenian Uprising 1867)
Gladstone aimed to settle broader Irish question, sought to achieve this through addressing the
issues of land and tenants’ rights
- 1870 = 500,000 tenant farmers, 80% held leases of less than 12 months
No legal rights or claim to land they rented
Formation of the Irish Tenant League 1850 due to vulnerability and determined attitude towards
securing land rights in the post famine years
Nationwide attempt on behalf of farmers to united and secure the three Fs
Objectives set to empower tenant farmers and equalise the one-sided relationship
- Fair rent indented to stop arbitrary and exploitative rent increased by landowners
- Fixity of tenure intended to stop the landowner evicting tenants who paid their rent and
thereby increase security of tenure
- Free sale meant that the tenant could sell the interest in their holding thereby giving
incentive to improve land
Short-lived - league ended after 9 years
First co-ordinated attempt by Irelands agriculture community to secure enhanced rights
Land is significant in Ireland as the only significant natural resource is the fertile soil
Antagonism between those who own the land and live on the land
Control of this valuable resource promoted the dominance of an Anglo-Irish landowning class who
exerted influence over Irish population who were dependent on the land
An unequal balance developed in which rural Ireland inhabitants lived on small plots of land let to
them either directly by landowners or a middleman
Legal foundation which leasing was based upon = conacre (system whereby a tenant is leased land
for growing a single crop on short term leases)
Provided the tenant with no legal claim to the land as rent was paid only in cash and labour
Leases under this system granted a landholding claim for 11 months of the year and the landlord
has no legal obligation to them
Tenants could be charged excessive rates and have no legal protection
Benefit of the landowner at the expense of the tenant
Vulnerability of tenants exemplified in the when famine hit the country – 1mill died of
hunger/related disease
Impact of famine:
- Landholdings became increasingly more consolidated, and agriculture diversified
- Finical agreements favoured the landowner
- Relationship between landowner and tenants continued to be strained
What was the significance of demands for land reform in 1870?
Dublin Land Conference
After the famine land issue became linked to the nationalist agenda
- Young Ireland 1848
- Irish republican brotherhood 1858
Symbol of British oppression since land ownership lay primarily with British or Anglo-Irish
Anglo-Irish were impacted by famine but not to the same extent as the poorer, Catholic Irish who
suffering was intensified as a result of eviction from the land
Land question became important for British politicians seeking to keep Ireland pacified
Gladstone formed his first administration 1868 (won GE following Fenian Uprising 1867)
Gladstone aimed to settle broader Irish question, sought to achieve this through addressing the
issues of land and tenants’ rights
- 1870 = 500,000 tenant farmers, 80% held leases of less than 12 months
No legal rights or claim to land they rented
Formation of the Irish Tenant League 1850 due to vulnerability and determined attitude towards
securing land rights in the post famine years
Nationwide attempt on behalf of farmers to united and secure the three Fs
Objectives set to empower tenant farmers and equalise the one-sided relationship
- Fair rent indented to stop arbitrary and exploitative rent increased by landowners
- Fixity of tenure intended to stop the landowner evicting tenants who paid their rent and
thereby increase security of tenure
- Free sale meant that the tenant could sell the interest in their holding thereby giving
incentive to improve land
Short-lived - league ended after 9 years
First co-ordinated attempt by Irelands agriculture community to secure enhanced rights
