THE

HISTORY OF IRELAND,

FROM THE

TREATY OF LIMERICK TO THE PRESENT TIME:

BEING

A CONTINUATION

OF THE

HISTORY OF THE ABBÉ MACGEOGHEGAN.

COMPILED BY

JOHN MITCHEL.

GLASGOW:

CAMERON & FERGUSON. 88 WEST NILE STREET.

LONDON: CHARLES GRIFFIN & CO.

MDCCCLXIX.

226. i. 170.

INTRODUCTION.

IN preparing a Continuation of the valuable History of Ireland by the Abbé MacGeoghegan, the compiler has aimed only to reduce and condense into a coherent narrative the materials which exist in abundance in a great number of publications of every date within the period included in the Continuation.

That period of a century and a-half embraces a series of deeply interesting events in the annals of our country-the deliberate Breach of the Treaty of Limerick-the long series of Penal Laws-the exile of the Irish soldiery to France-their achievements in the French and other services the career of Dean Swift-the origin of a Colonial Nationality among the English of Ireland-the Agitations of Lucas-the Volunteering the Declaration of Independence—the history of the Independent Irish Parliament-the Plot to bring about the Union-the United Irishmen-the Negotiations with France-the Insurrection of 1798-the French Expeditions to Ireland-the "Union" (so-called)—the decay of Trade—the fraudulent Imposition of Debt upon Ireland—the Orangemen-the beginning of O'Connell's power-the Veto Agitation-the Catholic Association-Clare Election-Emancipation-the series of Famines the Repeal Agitation-the Monster Meetings-the State Trials -the Great Famine-the Death of O'Connell-the Irish Confederation -the fate of Smith O'Brien and his comrades-the Legislation of the United Parliament for Ireland-Poor-Laws-National Education-the Tenant-Right Agitation-the present condition of the country, etc.