Gladstone and Ireland

Background

• Why the Irish were unhappy:

• 5.75 million of which 4.5 million people were Catholic, yet the Church Of Ireland was the state religion but only represented around 750,000. Catholics had very little influence in a majority Catholic nation

• Many wanted to see Ireland regain its independence after the Act of Unions proved to be unpopular

• Social and economic factors, such as the potato famine, free trade further increased a call for independence from the Irish

• Previous ministers- such as Disraeli avoided the issue of Irish independence knowing that it would prove unpopular with the landed gentry and aristocratic supporters within his conservative party. Effectively little had been done, only attempts to ease religious grievances.

• GLADSTONE was seen as the man to transform and modernise Ireland…

The Dissolution Of The Church Of Ireland

• The 1869 Irish Church Act

• Recognised as a major topic for legislation

• Involved breaking the link between church and state

• C.O.I became a voluntary organisation in January 1871

• A tithe to the church no longer had to be paid by all Irishmen

• Irish Anglican Archbishops and Bishops no longer were to sit in the House of Lords

• These factors would have pleased the majority of the Catholics within Ireland and it did demonstrate some form of progression that their voice is being herd.

The Dissolution Of The Church Of Ireland

• Gladstone dissolved the Church of Ireland to achieve…

• A compromise, firstly by easing religious tension the Catholic population in Ireland would have less social unrest

• This did happen, however arguments over compensation and the division of money- Anglicans wanted funds to be available to members of their clergy as pension and cover for loss of office. £10 million was granted

• The Catholics wanted money for SECULAR purposes. Such as relief of poverty and education in Ireland. £13 million was granted.

Outcomes

• The Irish church act of 1869 was on the whole a successful piece of legislation.

• It did help to ease social trouble in Ireland by satisfying the Catholics, who were the majority, however it could also be viewed as a backhand measure to avoid the issue of Irish independence which was the key grievance.