In the second half of the 18th century the ongoing struggle for independence in Ireland was given a huge boost by the French and American revolutions.

Sections of the Protestant Ascendency saw an opportunity to run the country with greater independence from Britain.

Britain was determined to ensure this would not happen.

When initial hopes of peaceful change were dashed the United Irishmen rose up with help from France.

The Rebellion of 1798 was savagely repressed with up to 50,000 deaths. The English political response was to remove the Irish Parliament and introduce the Act of Union 1801.

Promises made by Britain which included Catholic Emancipation were reneged on once the Act of Union was passed.

When the Irish rebelled again in 1803 it too was repressed.

In the following 20 years Daniel O'Connell emerged as a leader for Catholic Emancipation which was achieved spectacularly in 1828.

The course will examine the issues that gave rise to the rebellions in 1798 and 1803 and will explore the responses in Ireland.

The character and politics of the leaders of the United Irishmen will be explained in detail.