The Rebels of Ireland by Edward Rutherfurd

Book II of The Dublin Saga begins in 1597 with introduction of plantation by English. “Colonies of English settlers were established to act as a sort of military garrison for the area. The process was known as plantation (…) in the hope that the settlers might teach the Irish how to live as sturdy English yeomen.” This book brings the turbulent time of Irish Catholics fighting for their religious and political independence. 

The saga starts with two families of Walsh and Smith, which are intertwined by love of the daughter of Walsh and younger son of Smith; and Dr. Simeon Pincher, who arrives in Ireland “to do God’s work” as he is a follower of Calvin. “But the special gift that Dr. Pincher brought to Ireland was his belief that the mere Irish were not only an inferior people, but that God had deliberately marked them out (…) to be cast into eternal hellfire.”

“Over in England the situation was different but even more tense. There, the Puritans were so disgusted with Charles’s Church that they were starting to leave for the new American colonies…” 

At the islands, the division forms among King Charles, Protestant Parliament, Covenanters in Scotland, and the Catholic Confederation in Ireland. 

In 1647 Dublin is handed over to the English Parliament.

In 1649 King Charles is executed and England is declared a Commonwealth.

Cromwell, a Member of Parliament who turns soldier, invades Ireland. Soldiers in all ranks under 
Cromwell’s command argued, “A man’s religion is a matter of personal conscience (…) Why should we force the Irish to be Protestants? (…) The idea was shocking both in its novelty and its blinding simplicity.”

Further devastation for Irish Catholics continues with transplantation – relocation of resources – a process full of corruption and bribery. Irish families under English rule are to relocate from their estates to reduced poverty. Catholics are denied education, membership of a city guild, ownership of land. It is to destroy Catholicism in Ireland.

The word of rebellious colonies of America wanting to break away from England gives power to Irish Patriots who are advocating for Ireland to fight for its independence.

Even though, the Irish Rebellion of 1803 lead by Robert Emmet turns out disastrous, the history remembers him as a hero.

In 1843 fungal infestation of potato crop plaques NE coast of US. In 1845 potato blight strikes Ireland, followed by major starvation. In June 1847 Irish Famine ends.

The end of the 19th century brings some changes and gives hope to the Irish people. In 1891 with government encouragement of tenants buying their own land, there is a shift of land ownership, “changing hands from Protestant landlord to Catholic tenant at a remarkable rate.” 

From the beginning of the 20th century London Parliament pushes toward the Home Rule to give Ireland its freedom to be rejected by the House of Lords three times. Finally the Bill is passed in May 1914 at the brink of WWI. This however doesn’t end the turbulent history of Ireland. 

The well-written book full of history is filled with interesting and quite memorable characters. Loved the character of Faithful Tidy, a smart young man, well directed by his father to attend Trinity College (first in the family to attend college) and to not be afraid to think freely despite religious turmoil. His opinion of Dr. Simeon Pincher is quite humorous. Another great young character, William Walsh, from privileged family, who is asked by his Protestant father to spy on his friends at Trinity College, where some students are part of the United Irishmen fighting for Independent Ireland. Despite his early political confusion, he forms his own conclusion which party to follow.

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