Religious Identity
Until the Plantations, Ireland’s ruling social classes were Catholic. The arrival of large numbers of Protestant planters from Scotland and England changed this. Overall the majority of Ireland’s population remained Catholic, but by 1700 Protestant‘s owned 85% of the land. This wealthy landlord class became known as the Protestant Ascendancy. Anger and mistrust grew between the communities and tensions occasionally erupted into terrible violence on both sides.
Political Conflict
The power difference between Catholics and Protestants in Ireland led to continued conflict, especially within politics. Protestants ensured that they held onto their control, wealth and land by introducing the Penal Laws. These were laws which suppressed the status of Catholics in Ireland.
Cultural Change
As the Gaelic chieftains lost power, the culture and language of the Gaelic Irish declined. By 1700 English was the main language of power and of trade. The Gaelic Breton laws were replaced by English laws. English farming methods replaced the Gaelic ways in many areas, leading to more tillage relative to cattle farming. More towns were built during the Plantations, leading to a more urban society. Together these changed the Gaelic way of life and Irish culture generally.