Land Act

United Kingdom [1881]

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June 17, 2026

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The United Kingdom's Land Act of 1881 was a significant piece of legislation aimed at reforming Ireland's landlord system. It was a victory for the Irish Land League, an organization founded in 1879 by Michael Davitt. The League advocated for the "three F's": fair rent, fixity of tenure, and free sale of occupancy rights. While the Act addressed these issues, it did not fully satisfy the League's leader, Charles Stewart Parnell, leading to further agitation and the eventual suppression of the Land League by the government.123

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T.M. Healy
…the “Healy Clause” of the Land Act of 1881, which protected tenant farmers’ agrarian improvements from rent increases imposed by landlords, not only made him popular throughout nationalist Ireland but also won his cause seats in Protestant Ulster. He broke with Parnell in 1886 and generally remained at odds with…
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…the “Healy Clause” of the Land Act of 1881, which protected tenant farmers’ agrarian improvements from rent increases imposed by landlords, not only made him popular throughout nationalist Ireland but also won his cause seats in Protestant Ulster. He broke with Parnell in 1886 and generally remained at odds with…
Read More