What was the Plantation of Ulster?
Q: What was the Plantation of Ulster?
A: The Plantation of Ulster was the organised colonisation (plantation) of Ulster, a province of Ireland. People from Scotland and England were sent by the English government to live there at the beginning of the 17th century.
Q: Why did the English government send people to colonise Ulster?
A: The English government sent people to colonise Ulster in order to stop those living in the area from fighting against English rule. It had been particularly resistant to English control during the previous century.
Q: Who owned most of the land taken for colonists?
A: Most of the land taken for colonists was owned by Irish chieftains belonging to two dynasties - Uí Néill and Uí Domhnaill - in Gaelic.
Q: How much land was taken for colonization?
A: An estimated half a million acres (2,000 km²) were taken for colonization across six counties - County Donegal (called Tyrconnell at that time), Tyrone, Fermanagh, Cavan, Coleraine and Armagh. Most parts of counties Antrim and Down were privately colonised as well.
Q: Who were these colonists called?
A: These colonists were referred to as "British tenants". They mostly came from Scotland and England and had to be Protestant and able to speak English.
Q: What religion did most Scottish colonists follow?
A: Most Scottish colonists followed Presbyterianism while those from England belonged mainly to Church of England.
Q: How does it compare with other Plantations in Ireland?
A: The Plantation of Ulster was largest among all Plantations carried out in Ireland during this period.
