Irish Confederates

The Irish Confederates were a group that emerged during the Irish War of the Three Kingdoms (1641–1653). Formed mainly by Catholic landowners and supporters, they aimed to gain greater rights and autonomy for Catholics in Ireland. They established their own government, known as the Confederate Parliament, around 1642. Their cause was rooted in opposition to English Parliamentarian rule and the Protestant Ascendancy. The Confederates fought against both Royalists and Parliamentarians, seeking to secure land and political power for Catholics. Their movement ultimately ended after military defeats and political fragmentation, leading to a loss of power for Catholics in Ireland.