Cork one-tenth of the total area was in the hands of Catholics.[1]
In considering the effects of confiscation in Ireland it is important to remember that except at the Plantation of Ulster there was no removal of the actual tillers of the soil. The vast majority of this class had had under the clan system only a semi-servile status. Under the lords of Anglo-Norman descent the lot of the "churls" was little better. It is quite probable, if not actually certain, that the lot of the tillers of the soil was actually improved—except in the case of Ulster—when the free clansmen, the ruling aristocracy, lost their lands.[2]
We must be careful, of course, to except from this statement the poorer clansmen who held but
- ↑ In Kerry the immense Kenmare estate must have accounted for the greater part of the area held by Catholics. In Sligo there were no Catholic landlords of importance, and in Mayo only three or four. On the other hand he was disposed to think that the majority of personal property was in Catholic hands.
- ↑ Bonn quotes in this connection a curious statement from the Alethinologia of Lynch as to the "insolence" of the "agricolae" under Cromwell. There is also an 18th century poem by Eoghan O'Rahilly in which the poet sarcastically acclaims Cromwell as the noble chief of the clan of the churls. "The Thanksgiving of the jovial churl, his wife and family, during the time he had Oliver Cromwell as Protector."
"As St. Patrick checked the cattle-plague
For the children of Adam in Ireland
So you have checked for us the week-day (work)
And many unjust liabilities.
I beseech that nor Kavanagh nor Byrne
Nor Nolan, nor Kinsella
Nor Rice nor Roche
May get a sod of their ancestor's portion."I am indebted to Professor T. O'Donoghue of Cork for the above translation.
