Irish Metropolitan Conservative Society
Encyclopedia
The Irish Metropolitan Conservative Society was an Irish
political movement based in Dublin which was linked to the Irish Conservative Party
, the main political party in Ireland until 1859.
The Irish Metropolitan Conservative Society was formed in 1836 by the Reverend Charles Boyton and Isaac Butt
and was largely led by academics of Trinity College, Dublin
, and writers for the Dublin University Magazine
, which had been founded by Butt. The first meeting took place at 19, Dawson Street, Dublin, on 16 November 1836, and the new organization superseded the former Irish Protestant Conservative Society.
In a debate in 1840 the Society famously voted to back the Repeal political campaign of the leader of Irish nationalism, Daniel O'Connell
, although for different reasons. While O'Connell believed that repeal of the Act of Union
would see the emergence of an Irish nationalist-dominated parliament, the IMCS members saw the return of the King, Lords and Commons of Ireland as offering the best way to ensure the power and influence of the Ascendancy
. In the debate of 1840, Butt was the main speaker in opposition to the motion for Repeal.
The Society was wound up in 1844, during the second ministry
of Sir Robert Peel
, when a special meeting was held for the purpose. Its leaders stated that it had proved impracticable to carry it on, "owing to the prevailing apathy now manifested by Protestants in the cause of Conservatism and the consequent falling away of the friends and supporters of the Society and its funds". The Chairman, Captain William Shirley Ball, reported that the previous week Repealers had gained a large majority on the Dublin City Registry and that gentlemen who had fought the battles of conservatism had been "marked as partisans and excluded from Ministerial patronage and favour". He was disappointed that such were the fruits of a Conservative government
.
In 1870 Butt and other Irish Tories
founded the Home Government Association
to campaign for Irish home rule
.
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
political movement based in Dublin which was linked to the Irish Conservative Party
Irish Conservative Party
The Irish Conservative Party, often called the Irish Tories, was one of the dominant Irish political parties in Ireland in the 19th century...
, the main political party in Ireland until 1859.
The Irish Metropolitan Conservative Society was formed in 1836 by the Reverend Charles Boyton and Isaac Butt
Isaac Butt
Isaac Butt Q.C. M.P. was an Irish barrister, politician, Member of Parliament , and the founder and first leader of a number of Irish nationalist parties and organisations, including the Irish Metropolitan Conservative Society in 1836, the Home Government Association in 1870 and in 1873 the Home...
and was largely led by academics of Trinity College, Dublin
Trinity College, Dublin
Trinity College, Dublin , formally known as the College of the Holy and Undivided Trinity of Queen Elizabeth near Dublin, was founded in 1592 by letters patent from Queen Elizabeth I as the "mother of a university", Extracts from Letters Patent of Elizabeth I, 1592: "...we...found and...
, and writers for the Dublin University Magazine
Dublin University Magazine
The Dublin University Magazine was an independent literary cultural and political magazine published in Dublin from 1833 to 1882. It started out as a magazine of political commentary but increasingly became devoted to literature.-Early days:...
, which had been founded by Butt. The first meeting took place at 19, Dawson Street, Dublin, on 16 November 1836, and the new organization superseded the former Irish Protestant Conservative Society.
In a debate in 1840 the Society famously voted to back the Repeal political campaign of the leader of Irish nationalism, Daniel O'Connell
Daniel O'Connell
Daniel O'Connell Daniel O'Connell Daniel O'Connell (6 August 1775 – 15 May 1847; often referred to as The Liberator, or The Emancipator, was an Irish political leader in the first half of the 19th century...
, although for different reasons. While O'Connell believed that repeal of the Act of Union
Act of Union 1800
The Acts of Union 1800 describe two complementary Acts, namely:* the Union with Ireland Act 1800 , an Act of the Parliament of Great Britain, and...
would see the emergence of an Irish nationalist-dominated parliament, the IMCS members saw the return of the King, Lords and Commons of Ireland as offering the best way to ensure the power and influence of the Ascendancy
Protestant Ascendancy
The Protestant Ascendancy, usually known in Ireland simply as the Ascendancy, is a phrase used when referring to the political, economic, and social domination of Ireland by a minority of great landowners, Protestant clergy, and professionals, all members of the Established Church during the 17th...
. In the debate of 1840, Butt was the main speaker in opposition to the motion for Repeal.
The Society was wound up in 1844, during the second ministry
Second Peel ministry
-The Cabinet:Changes* October, 1841: Lord FitzGerald succeeds Lord Ellenborough as President of the Board of Control.* February, 1842: The Duke of Buccleuch succeeds the Duke of Buckingham as Lord Privy Seal....
of Sir Robert Peel
Robert Peel
Sir Robert Peel, 2nd Baronet was a British Conservative statesman who served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 10 December 1834 to 8 April 1835, and again from 30 August 1841 to 29 June 1846...
, when a special meeting was held for the purpose. Its leaders stated that it had proved impracticable to carry it on, "owing to the prevailing apathy now manifested by Protestants in the cause of Conservatism and the consequent falling away of the friends and supporters of the Society and its funds". The Chairman, Captain William Shirley Ball, reported that the previous week Repealers had gained a large majority on the Dublin City Registry and that gentlemen who had fought the battles of conservatism had been "marked as partisans and excluded from Ministerial patronage and favour". He was disappointed that such were the fruits of a Conservative government
Second Peel ministry
-The Cabinet:Changes* October, 1841: Lord FitzGerald succeeds Lord Ellenborough as President of the Board of Control.* February, 1842: The Duke of Buccleuch succeeds the Duke of Buckingham as Lord Privy Seal....
.
In 1870 Butt and other Irish Tories
Tory
Toryism is a traditionalist and conservative political philosophy which grew out of the Cavalier faction in the Wars of the Three Kingdoms. It is a prominent ideology in the politics of the United Kingdom, but also features in parts of The Commonwealth, particularly in Canada...
founded the Home Government Association
Home Government Association
The Home Government Association was a pressure group founded by Isaac Butt in 1870 in support of home rule for Ireland.Its inaugural public meeting was held on 1 September 1870.It became the Home Rule League in 1873....
to campaign for Irish home rule
Irish Home Rule Movement
The Irish Home Rule Movement articulated a longstanding Irish desire for the repeal of the Act of Union of 1800 by a demand for self-government within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. The movement drew upon a legacy of patriotic thought that dated back at least to the late 17th...
.