His label as being the ‘great liberator’ is most certainly deserving, at least in his early years. During this period of Roman Catholic strife, O’Connell was a great mover of Catholic policies, and by founding the Catholic Association in 1823, he ultimately paved the way for the Emancipation Act of 1829. This was of huge significance. To many Irish Catholics, they felt as if they had been liberated from the ‘fake harmony in the Anglo Irish Union (and more importantly, the dominant force of Protestantism). In the early years of the Catholic Association, O’Connell’s shrewd diplomatic skills were used to help to create a truly national organisation, that later became known as ‘the crusade of an irresistible mass movement’. O’Connell was an extremely clever man. Between the period of 1823-9, he indeed ‘crusaded’ towards victory in the eventual form of Emancipation, and much of this came about because of his appeal to the Catholic peasantry (who thought of him as their ‘deliverer’). During this time, he created elaborate, but effective schemes in order to help fund the Association, and to keep prolonged pressure on government. During public speaking, he addressed the importance of Irish Nationalism (and the necessity for the redress of Catholic grievances, albeit in a pacifistic fashion), but also, he subtly ‘attacked’ the English government, and caused discomfort within their ranks. He hinted that their failure to yield to the demands of the Association could lead to mass disobedience and even revolt or violence. In 1824, O’Connell was arrested, and charged with incitement to rebellion, though the prosecution ultimately failed. However, his willingness to scrap with the authorities provided him with a great reputation.
In the wake of the 1829 Emancipation Act, O’Connell found himself a very popular man, personally and politically. His position of power increased furthermore, so that he was made a member of parliament as well as an Irish national leader. He even received £20 000 from Irish Catholics in recognition of his services to their cause, and with subsequent annual payments, they became known as ‘the O’Connell Tribute’. However, he spent his last 15 or so years juggling between his two positions as British politician, and Irish national leader – and this certainly caused friction and personal division in where his loyalties stood.
It is in this way that the label of ‘O’Connell as the great liberator’ can be called into question. He was a known opportunist, who was actively committed to parliamentary politics and alliances. Many felt that this factor contributed to the demise of the man’s authenticity. Where did his duties lye? The Emancipation Act never progressed, nor was it ‘built upon’ by ‘the liberator’, as far as many Irish Catholics were concerned. Even so, he did spearhead the ‘Repeal Association’ during these years, and it cannot be denied that his overriding loyalties stood in a desire for the ‘old, traditional’ Ireland to return.
Ultimately, Daniel O’Connell did deserve the title ‘the Great Liberator’. His greatest achievement by far was the Emancipation Act of 1829. This freed Catholics from liberal, protestant dominance. It was mainly his actions that liberated the vast majority of Ireland’s population. Of greatest importance were O’Connell’s pursued methods for political reform. He appealed to all men of any religious, or social persuasion, and to all classes as well. This aimed to promote peaceful organisation of mass opinion (rather than violence) to change the law. There is no doubt that the man was of huge significance in ‘liberating many Irish in the wake of English domination.’
As J.C. Beckett once wrote: ‘No other single person has left such an unmistakable mark on the history of Ireland’.
