March 3rd , 1831
The Tithe War (Irish: Cogadh na nDeachúna) was a campaign of mainly nonviolent civil disobedience, punctuated by sporadic violent episodes, in Ireland between 1830 and 1836 in reaction to the enforcement of tithes on the Roman Catholic majority for the upkeep of the established state church, the Church of Ireland. Tithes were payable in cash or kind and payment was compulsory, irrespective of an individual’s religious adherence.
The Tithe War was a period of civil unrest in Ireland during the early 1830s, sparked by opposition to the payment of tithes to the Established Church (the Church of Ireland), which was predominantly Anglican. The majority of the population in Ireland at that time was Roman Catholic and resented having to pay tithes to support a church that they did not belong to. This resentment led to widespread resistance and conflict.
One notable incident during the Tithe War occurred in Graiguenamanagh, County Kilkenny. In this instance, 120 police were dispatched to seize cattle from the local population as payment for the tithes owed. Such actions were common during the Tithe War, as the authorities frequently resorted to confiscating livestock when cash payments were not made. These seizures often led to confrontations and violence, as the local communities resisted the taking of their animals, which were vital to their livelihood.
The Tithe War eventually led to changes in how the Church of Ireland was funded. The Tithe Commutation Act of 1838 was introduced, which reduced the burden of tithe payments on the agricultural community and aimed to alleviate some of the tensions. However, the issue of tithes and the broader question of land ownership and control remained contentious issues in Ireland, contributing to further unrest and calls for land reform throughout the 19th century.
The incident in Graiguenamanagh is just one example of the many confrontations that occurred during the Tithe War, illustrating the deep divisions and the struggle for religious and economic justice in Ireland during this period.
