The Complex Factors Behind the Loss of Irish Farm Lands

The loss of farm lands in Ireland has been a multifaceted and prolonged process that involves various historical, social, and economic factors. This article explores the diverse causes behind the loss of farm lands throughout Irish history, highlighting the impact of illness, financial struggles, compulsory purchases, natural disasters, and external invasions.

Illness and Financial Struggles

The health and financial well-being of farmers have significantly contributed to the loss of farm lands. Farmers who suffered from ill health were often unable to maintain their properties, leading to them having to sell or lease their land to others. Similarly, financial struggles, including difficulties in meeting mortgage payments or managing agricultural debts, resulted in many farmers losing their land to creditors or by selling to alleviate financial burdens.

Compulsory Purchase Orders and Land Seizures

Forced displacements of farmers have occurred through the use of compulsory purchase orders (CPOs), which are legally binding orders to acquire land for public use. In addition, historical invasions and the subsequent seizure of land by conquerors also played a major role. The Vikings, for instance, began their encroachment on Irish farmland in 837 AD, with significant settlements in Dublin, Wexford, Waterford, Cork, and Limerick. These invasions involved the use of violence and coercion to secure land.

Following the arrival of the Cambro-Normans in 1170 AD, they were initially invited to Ireland but quickly began to overstep their bounds, aggressively taking over farmland for themselves. These Normans later developed into the British and continued to expand their control over Irish lands. The Norman influence dramatically shifted the tenancy structure, as kings evolved into feudal lords, turning tenants into villains without direct land ownership.

Natural Disasters and Coastal Erosion

Nature has also been a significant factor in the loss of farm lands, particularly through natural disasters and coastal erosion. For example, the Barleycove beach in County Cork was formed by the influx of sand carried by a tsunami resulting from the 1755 earthquake in Lisbon, Portugal. Additionally, many coastal farms have disappeared due to the gradual process of coastal erosion, gradually being swallowed by the sea.

The Tenant Farming System and the Loss of Land

Despite the various historical and natural factors, it is important to note that the Irish people did not lose their farm lands in the conventional sense. In Gaelic Ireland, ordinary people were tenants of the kings and effectively sharecroppers, not owners of the land. The feudalisation of Ireland, following the arrival of the Cambro-Normans, further solidified this tenant-farming system, with ordinary people becoming villains who retained no land ownership.

The wars of the 16th and 17th centuries significantly affected the ownership of land. Many Gaelic and "Old English" lords lost their lands, while the tenants, mostly the ordinary Irish, remained as tenants of the new landowners. It was not until the land reforms of the 19th century that ordinary Irish people were able to gain ownership of land.

In conclusion, the loss of farm lands in Ireland has been influenced by a complex interplay of historical, social, and economic factors. From compulsory purchase orders to natural disasters and historical invasions, various mechanisms have led to the loss or transfer of land ownership throughout Ireland's history.

The key takeaways from this article include the impact of illness and financial struggles on land loss, the role of compulsory purchase orders and land seizures, the influence of natural disasters, and the tenant-farming system under the feudalisation.