The Irish Confederation was founded on 13 January 1847 as a more radical offshoot from the Young Ireland movement. The Confederation’s split from the moderate Repeal Association emerged as a result of the “Peace Resolutions”, which condemned the assertion of national rights via physical force. Those Young Irelanders who refused to accept such resolutions, namely Thomas Francis Meagher, John Mitchel and William Smith O’Brien staged a walk-out from Conciliation Hall. The Irish Confederates would stand three candidates in that year’s Parliament election, two of which would be returned as MPs. The Confederates’ strength was estimated to have been at around 10,000 members.
Writings
Constitution of the Irish Confederation (1847)
Address of the Council of the Irish Confederation to the People of Ireland (1848)
Address of the Committee of Trades and Citizens to the People of Dublin (1848)
Address of the Irish Confederation to the Citizens of the French Republic (1848)
Address of the Council of the Irish Confederation to the Citizens of Dublin (1848)
To The Citizens of the French Republic (1848)
Address of the Council of the Irish Confederation to the Irish Nation (1848)
Trial by Jury in Ireland (1848)
Farewell Address of the State Prisoners to the People of Ireland (1849)