The Ulster Plantations

What were the Ulster Plantations?

The Ulster Plantations was the organised colonisation of Ulster by English and Scottish Protestants. They took the lands of Catholic nobles who had fled the country.

When were the Ulster Plantations set up?

The official Ulster Plantations began in 1609, but people had been arriving and setting up small, private plantations before then.

Where were the Ulster Plantations?

The Ulster Plantations were made up of English Protestants who migrated to Ulster, in the north of Ireland.

Why were the Ulster Plantations set up?

The Ulster Plantations were set up for four key reasons.

• ❖ The English government had had troubles with Ireland since the Middle Ages. These problems increased when England became a Protestant country, while Ireland remained Catholic.
• ❖ King James I became the first king of England, Scotland and Ireland in 1603. He wanted to unite the three kingdoms and strengthen his rule in Ireland.
• ❖ King James I hoped that by setting up the plantations, the Irish would be more obedient to him.
• ❖ The plan was also to subjugate and convert Catholics to Protestantism.

How did people react to the Ulster Plantations?

While many of the English and Scottish settlers moved to Ulster in hopes of finding a better life, many of the Irish resented what was happening as they believed it was an 'invasion'.

What was the impact of the Ulster Plantations?

There were a number of ways in which the Ulster Plantations had an impact.

• ❖ The population in the area grew rapidly.
• ❖ English customs and norms were adopted.
• ❖ Protestantism was brought to Ireland.
• ❖ It was the beginning of religious tensions between Protestant settlers and Irish Catholics which would continue for centuries, and often resulted in violence.

What was significant about the Ulster Plantations?

These are some of the ways in which the Ulster Plantations were significant.

• ❖ Ireland, a Catholic country, now held a small but powerful Protestant population.
• ❖ This led to a religious divide in Ireland, which was often accompanied by violence.
• ❖ The Ulster Plantations were the first stage of increased English domination of Ireland, which continued up to the 20th century. Ulster is part of Northern Ireland, which is still part of the United Kingdom.
• ❖ Ireland, as a result of English domination, adopted many aspects of English culture, including its language and laws, while traditional Irish culture diminished.