Cromwellian Settlement

After Cromwell’s victory, huge areas of land were confiscated and the Irish were banished to the lands of Connaught. Most of the lands of Clare, Galway and Mayo were taken over by Irish people whose land in other parts of the country had been taken from them. This movement of large numbers of people out of their lands and the transfer of these lands to English people was known as the Cromwellian Settlement.

Oliver Cromwell

Oliver Cromwell landed in Ireland in 1649 to re-conquer the country on behalf of the English Parliament. He left in 1650, having taken eastern and southern Ireland. The land that was confiscated by his forces after his victory was used for settlement of English and Scottish people in Ireland.

University of Texas Libraries

Oliver Cromwell
University of Texas Libraries

Oliver Cromwell

Oliver Cromwell landed in Ireland in 1649 to re-conquer the country on behalf of the English Parliament. He left in 1650, having taken eastern and southern Ireland. The land that was confiscated by his forces after his victory was used for settlement of English and Scottish people in Ireland.

University of Texas Libraries

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Many other Irish people were transported to work on plantations in the West Indies. Irish soldiers were given the opportunity to exile. Large numbers of Irish men left to become soldiers in other armies in Europe and never returned. Good lands were given to Cromwell’s soldiers and to the supporters of the Parliamentarians. Other lands were bought by English merchants and some of these new owners took on Catholic tenants.