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achieved some major reforms, sank as quickly as it had arisen-almost into obscurity. Grattan’s Parliament, however, though it had in it much that was corrupt, succeeded in making Ireland a very prosperous country during the eighteen years that it lasted-that is
until the passing of the Act of Union in 1800.
The Masonic-driven French Revolution, one of the great events of world history and one which ultimately saw the end of the ancient regime in France, broke out in May of 1789. In July of that year, in what was to become an iconic piece of historic symbolism, the hated Bastille fell, and in the month following, privileges of every class were abolished. These notable events had an immediate and profound efect on Ireland, no more so than amongst the Presbyterian community, who, though never penalized to the same extent as their Catholic neighbours, had also been bound and yoked by unjust laws. The successful French Revolution, coupled with the publication of the Constitution of the United States and Tom Paine’s insightful and inluential The Rights of Man energized the Irish and the campaign was taken up by some sections of the press. The Belfast Telegraph wrote:
‘The French Revolution acted as a spell on the minds of Irishmen.their sympathy was roused to a state of excitement almost painful, and that longed to ind relief and indulgence, in re-enacting such spirit-stirring scenes.Twenty-six millions of our fellow-creatures (nearly one-sixth of the inhabitants of Europe) breaking their chains, and throwing of almost in an instant the degrading yoke of slavery, is a scene so new, so interesting, and sublime.”
Theobald Wolfe Tone