The Effects of the Plantation on Irish Identity
1. Religious Identity
Until the Plantation, most of Ireland and the rules and customs were from catholicism. The arrival of large numbers of Protestants changed that. Most land that belonged to the Irish Clans now belonged to the English and Scottish Protestants, this created a new religious division.
Overall the majority of Ireland's population remained Catholic but by 1700 Protestants owned 85% of the land. This wealthy landlord class became known as the Protestant Ascendancy. Because of this, tensions occasionally erupted into terrible violence. This long history of conflict eventually developed into the troubles of the late twentieth century.
2. Political Conflict
The power difference between Catholics and Protestants in Ireland led to continued conflict, especially within politics. Protestants ensured that they held on to their control, wealth and land by introducing the Penal Laws. These were laws which suppressed the status of Catholics in Ireland, making it very difficult for the Irish Catholics to escape poverty or achieve success and security.
Under the Penal Law, Catholics were forbidden to:
- Buy or inherit land
- Keep weapons
- Own a horse of good quality
- Run schools or teach
- Attend the only University (Trinity College)
- Travel more than five miles from their home
- Marry a Protestant
- Work in the government
- Vote
- Attend Catholic Mass
- Miss attending Protestant services
- Employ a Catholic Schoolmaster for their children
3. Cultural Change
As the Gaelic chieftains lost power, the Culture and language of the Gaelic Irish declined.
a. By 1700, English was already the main language of power and trade.
b. The Gaelic Brehon Laws were replaced by English Laws.
c. English farming methods replaced the Gaelic ways in many areas, leading to more tillage (crop farming) relative to cattle farming.
d. Forests were cleared and land was divided into fields using hedges and ditches.
e. More towns were built during the plantation, leading to a more urban society.