Above : Painting Of Daniel O’Connell
We have seen how discouragement had come upon the Catholics after the successive failures of the petitions which they addressed to Parliament in the first two decades of the century, praying for the removal of their remaining disabilities. They were now to find amongst the men of their own faith a leader, who, using methods not hitherto employed, would bring about the triumph of their cause.
Above : Picture Of Daniel O’Connell
No real progress was being made, and in 1823, O’Connell resolved on a new policy. In conjunction with his friend, Richard Lalor Shiel, he founded the Catholic Association. The aim of this society was not limited to gaining for Catholics the right of sitting in Parliament. It purposed to bring into prominence the chief grievances from which the bulk of the Irish people suffered! with a view to their redress. The rack-renting ; the confiscation OF tenants’ improvements ; the jobbery in public life, were all to be attacked.