O’CONNELL’S TRIUMPH:  tHE UNION & cATHOLIC Emancipation

INTRODUCTION:  THE LEGACY OF WOLFE TONE.  Robert Emmett (1778-1803): Let no man write my epitaph."

I.  CATHOLICISM AFTER THE PENAL LAWS.  Phases:  1)  1704-1750-- compulsory registration of the Catholic clergy; 2)  1750-1800-- Church life could be practiced openly; 3)  1800-1850—era of development and innovation in religious life; and 4)  1850-1900—era of consolidation.

II.  CATHOLIC RECONSTRUCTION UNDER THE ASCENDANCY.  Diocese of Raphoe, Co. Dongeal: Bishop James Gallagher (consecrated 1725); Bishop Anthony Coyle (consecrated 1782).  Irish College in Paris; Catholic Counterreformation. 

III.  BRITAIN'S IRISH PROBLEM.  Robert Southey (1774-1843), private secretary to the Irish Chancellor of the Exchequer, 1801-2. William Pitt the Younger (1759-1806), British prime minister, 1783-1806.  "the connection" = the Union ==>  United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland.  King George III (1760-1820).  Sir Arthur Wellesley (1769-1852), later created Duke of Wellington.  First Reform Bill (1832).  Chartist movement.  Catholic Association of Ireland (est. 1823).  Daniel O'Connell (1775-1847), "The Liberator."

IV.  DANIEL O'CONNELL & CATHOLIC EMANCIPATION.  Derrynane, Co. Kerry.  Family:  Daniel, Clare's Regiment, Irish Brigade; Maurice, called "Hunting Cap," justice of the peace in Kerry, "the Crooked Knife" (Gaelic, skean = knife); Mairé Dubh ("Dark Mary"): "God prosper your wages, my love--or otherwise, according as you earned them."  Richard Lalor Sheil (1791-1851); Catholic Association of Ireland; "the Catholic rent."  "The King of Beggars"; "agitation"; "monster meetings"; the Clare by-election (June 1828).  Bill of Catholic Emancipation (April 1829).