Queen Victoria, one of the most iconic monarchs in British history, led an era of profound socio-political change in Ireland. His particularly eventful reign witnessed a deeply troubled period in Ireland, with the emergence of the Great Famine and the rise of the Irish nationalist movement… A look back at the reign of a divisive monarch in Ireland.
Victoria acceded to the throne at the age of 18 in 1837, inheriting an extensive kingdom that included many territories, including Ireland.
The Act of Union of 1801 formalized Ireland’s annexation to Great Britain, ushering in a new era of Anglo-Irish relations… often tense.
At this time, the English were imposing their hold on the Irish, while discriminating against them and making them live in squalor. They exploited Ireland’s resources to enrich themselves, while depriving them of many of their civil rights (practices aimed mainly at Irish Catholics).
The Great Famine of 1845-1852, caused by a blight epidemic that rotted potato fields, had a devastating effect on Ireland. Faced with a humanitarian crisis, Victoria made a personal donation of £2,000, a significant sum at the time, to help the starving Irish.
However, the government policies of the time exacerbated the suffering, prompting much criticism. Many experts believe that the British government of the time reacted “weakly” to Ireland’s state of emergency. Potentially deliberate inaction, which led to the mass deaths of hundreds of thousands of Irish people.
It is estimated that between 500,000 and 1 million Irish people died during this period.
Queen Victoria’s gift was not enough to help Ireland, even though it was considered a territory belonging to the British Empire…
Victoria visited Ireland four times during her reign, seeking to strengthen ties with the Irish population and ease existing tensions.
These visits were marked by grand ceremonies, and gave the Queen an insight into the reality of life in Ireland.
Anecdotally, the monarch was particularly sensitive to the wild beauty of Ireland… She is said to have fallen under the spell of a viewpoint in Killarney National Park. She was so taken with the panorama, overlooking the local lakes, that she even allowed her ladies-in-waiting to admire the view with her!
Since then, the panorama has become a tourist attraction: known as the“Ladies View“, it will forever bear the imprint of Queen Victoria!
Victoria’s reign saw Ireland modernize with the advent of industrialization. Urbanization has accelerated, with people moving from rural areas to cities in search of better economic opportunities.
These changes have redefined the Irish landscape, giving rise to new challenges and opportunities.
Queen Victoria – Public domain
During the Victorian era, the Irish nationalist movement gained in strength. Organizations like the Fenians and the Home Rule League were born, fighting for Irish autonomy.
Queen Victoria thus became a controversial figure for many Irish people. As a result, many Irish nationalists and anti-monarchists began to loudly proclaim their dislike of British interference in Irish affairs.
A true symbol of British power, Queen Victoria was highly heckled and criticized, with some calling for a call to arms to liberate Ireland from British and Victorian rule.
Although Queen Victoria is considered a great monarch by the British, she is not always unanimously supported in Ireland. Its impact on the Emerald Isle remains complex.
For some, his reign is synonymous with oppression and colonialism. For others, it symbolizes a period of progress and modernization. Despite the controversies, his reign left an indisputable mark on Irish history.
