Early 19th century Tipperary

Before 1830 in most of Ireland many areas had 'surplus' populations. The population increased 100% between 1770 and 1841. Earning from farming, wages or relief was sufficient only to sustain life (in good times). The condition of many of the rural workers was grave.

Irish rural life was dominated for the peasants by an obsession for securing and hanging on to a piece of land.

Incipient 'warfare' existed between the poor, Catholic, Irish peasant tenants and their richer, protestant, English landlords.


North Tipperary was a predominantly rural area. There was significant rural unrest throughout the region in the period 1750-1850.

"There was a move towards growing grain due to the increasing grain prices brought about by the Napoleonic Wars. These high grain prices were an incentive to conversion to tillage, and to early marriage due to rural prosperity. In 1815, The end of the wars brought a fall in grain prices, and many small farmers were ruined."

Also, the potato crop in Ireland failed in 1825.

The peasants lived on potatoes and if lucky a pig and a little milk.

Is this perchance the fate that befell Michael Fogarty? Could this have been the cause of him being apprehended on a criminal charge?

One defining aspect of early 19th century Tipperary was the Act of Union (with the United Kingdom) in 1800. This led to the formation (by Daniel O'Connell of the Repeal Association. The Association was active in North Tipperary prior to the 1832 general election in Britain. O'Connell has also formed the Catholic Association to agitate for Catholic Emancipation. O'Connell was actively campaigning in the area during the 1820s.

Was Michael politically active? Could this have led him to engage in subversive or illegal acts?

Peasants had to pay an alien church tithes that were collected in a most inefficient and provocative manner. Graziers (larger landowners) were exempt.

Is it little wonder the peasant was, from time to time, driven to resistance and 'crime' as self-protection and to provide for the family?