Assess the significance of the role OConnell played in the development of political attitudes in Ireland 1815-1847

Another role that O’Connell played in the development of political attitudes in Ireland 1815-1847 was his involvement in and the creation of the Repeal Association. The repeal association was an Irish mass membership political movement which had been set up by O’Connell in 1840 to campaign for a repeal of the Act of Union of 1800 between Great Britain and Ireland. O’Connell pushed for this by hosting a series of “Monster Meetings” throughout much of Ireland. Each of these meetings was attended by around 100,000 people. The large number present at these meeting caused concern for the British Government and the Prime Minister, Sir Robert Peel, banned one of the proposed meetings in Clontarf in 1843 as the biggest “Monster Meeting” had just been held at Tara. Although many of his supporters appealed this, O’Connell was unwilling to risk any possible bloodshed and so called off the meeting. He was later arrested and charged with conspiracy. This led to being sentenced to a year’s imprisonment and a fine of £2,000. However, he was released after just three months by the House of Lords who criticised the unfairness of the trial. This would show that O’Connell did not a major role in the development of political attitudes in Ireland 1815-1847 as the Repeal Association had ultimately failed in its aims and although it had gained support in Ireland, it did not manage to change the political attitudes in Ireland 1815-1847.

O’Connell was very successful in his quest for the Catholic Emancipation. He had witnessed French Revolution and he despised violence. Because of this, most of the population of Irish peasants could relate to him and therefore trust and support him. As well as this O’Connell had great public speaking skills and was able to passionately discuss his views and this would convince others to support him. His public speaking skills also massively helped in hold mass public meetings. By only charging 1 penny a month to become an associate member O’Connell managed to swell his members as well as create large funding, known as the Catholic Rent. The new membership fee had opened up the party to people with a poorer background and so helped raise numbers. The was also so effective as by charging for a membership the members felt like an important part of the party and would be more likely to support the party as they would want to protect their investment. Due to this large support, when O’Connell gained a seat at Westminster he was able to take the seat without having to take the oath of supremacy, which was required to have a seat at Westminster. This was allowed due to fears of uprising and rebellion from O’Connell’s supporters if he was not allowed a seat. This shows that he played a very significant role in the developments of Political attitudes in 1815-1847.  

O’Connell’s quest for the repeal of the Act of Union was not so successful however. The “Monster Meetings” had raised O’Connell’s profile substantially and the concern among the British government started to grow. Fearing the outcome of continuing support for O’Connell and the Repeal Association, the British government decided to ban one of the meetings arranged by O’Connell. This effectively stopped the problem as O’Connell refused to defy the authorities and risk bloodshed and so cancelled the meeting. As well as this O’Connell was arrested, charged with conspiracy and sentenced to year in prison although he was released after 3 months.  Without his most powerful the “Monster Meeting” and his own health falling, O’Connell had no plan and dissension broke out among the Repeal Association, causing its downfall.

O’Connell played a very significant role in the developments of political attitudes in Ireland 1815-1847. The creation of the Catholic Association, which ultimately led to the Catholic Emancipation, shows just how much he had changed political attitudes. Although the Repeal association was a failure in regards to what it was aiming to do, it still managed to influence many developments in political attitudes shown by the mass following he had received the concern he caused the British Government. Therefore it can be said that O’Connell played a very significant role in the developments of political attitudes in Ireland 1815-1847.