plantation
Quick Summary
The term "plantation" in the context of Irish history refers to the settlement of land in Ireland, particularly in Ulster, by English and Scottish colonists during the 16th and 17th centuries. This process involved confiscating land from native Irish landowners and granting it to new proprietors who were required to bring in Protestant settlers.1
This policy led to significant social and religious changes, as the new landowners and tenants were predominantly Protestant, while the native Irish remained largely Roman Catholic. The plantation system created a new landholding aristocracy and yeomanry, often displacing the native Irish to less desirable land. This economic and cultural displacement fueled resentment, culminating in events like the rebellion of 1641. While the term "plantation" also refers to large agricultural estates in tropical regions cultivated by un- or semi-skilled labor, its application to Irish history specifically denotes this period of colonization and settlement.231
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IrelandThe Reformation period…gave statutory approval for the plantation (or resettlement of Irish lands by Englishmen) of Leix, Offaly, and other Irish lordships of the central plain. Her viceroy was Thomas Radcliffe, earl of Sussex, lord deputy (1556–59), who was soon, as lord lieutenant (1559–66) for Elizabeth I, to restore the state’s authority…
Read More…gave statutory approval for the plantation (or resettlement of Irish lands by Englishmen) of Leix, Offaly, and other Irish lordships of the central plain. Her viceroy was Thomas Radcliffe, earl of Sussex, lord deputy (1556–59), who was soon, as lord lieutenant (1559–66) for Elizabeth I, to restore the state’s authority…
Read More- IrelandThe Shane O’Neill rebellion
…were permitted to attempt substantial plantations in Munster, Leinster, and Ulster. The folly of this policy was seen when the government, despite its having declared the position of “O’Neill” extinguished, allowed the O’Neills to elect Shane’s cousin Turlough Luineach as their chief. Butlers and Munster Fitzgeralds also combined
Read More…were permitted to attempt substantial plantations in Munster, Leinster, and Ulster. The folly of this policy was seen when the government, despite its having declared the position of “O’Neill” extinguished, allowed the O’Neills to elect Shane’s cousin Turlough Luineach as their chief. Butlers and Munster Fitzgeralds also combined
Read More - IrelandSocial, economic, and cultural life in the 17th and 18th centuries
Except on the Ulster plantations, the tenantry was relatively poor in comparison with that of England and employed inferior agricultural methods. Over large parts of the east and south, tillage farming had given way to pasturage. In the north of Ireland, a similar tendency created a decline in the…
Read MoreExcept on the Ulster plantations, the tenantry was relatively poor in comparison with that of England and employed inferior agricultural methods. Over large parts of the east and south, tillage farming had given way to pasturage. In the north of Ireland, a similar tendency created a decline in the…
Read More