The British Government proclaimed the Dail, the Sinn Fein organisation, and later the Gaelic League as illegal bodies, but this produced no effect. Meetings were held " in secret," but really with the full knowledge of large numbers of persons, probably often also with that of the police, who had no desire to incur risks by a display of zeal. The lot of these men was indeed not an enviable one. In many parts of the country they hardly dared to venture ... Read More

Meanwhile, a Commission had been appointed to consider the question of the proposed Ulster Plantation. As was to be expected, they found that the lands of six counties—Tyrone, Armagh, Coleraine (Derry), Donegal, Fermanagh and Cavan—were justly forfeit to the Crown. This great area was not, however, to be entirely cleared of its Irish inhabitants. According to a report made in 1611, the amount of land confiscated was 503,458 acres But as only land considered arable was reckoned, and as frauds and false ... Read More