This is a political history of Irish Catholic landlords from 1690 to 1800. Many had lost part of their estates under Queen Elizabeth, and most lost all under Cromwell. Those who supported James II against William of Orange – and most did so – lost what they had recovered under the Restoration, except for about 800 who were allowed by the Articles of the Treaty of Limerick (1690) to keep their land. The British and Irish governments, and the legal profession, respected Catholic rights in this matter.
Parliament’s intention was to discourage Catholicism; and, more importantly, to deny to Catholics all political power, which then depended entirely on land ownership.
But the Penal Laws were far less effective than those who framed them intended. They were laxly enforced.
There were ways round most of the Penal Laws if one could find them. How the Penal Laws were eventually repealed is the theme of this book.
There is an introduction by Professor Maurice O’Connell.