THE PLANTATION OF LAOIS AND OFFALY

1. THE PLANTATION OF LAOIS AND OFFALY Laois & Offaly

2. Why was Laois and Offaly ‘planted’? • The O’Mores of Laois and the O’Connors of Offaly were constantly stealing and raiding the English farmers who lived in the Pale. • They destroyed crops and stole animals. • They demanded a ‘BLACK RENT’ from these families. • This was rent paid to the Gaelic clans and in return they promised not to raid or steal from those who paid.

3. Do you think this was fair? YES NO WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

4. The rules of the Laois-Offaly Plantation Those who were granted land had to promise the following: • Use English farming methods. • Only employ loyal subjects • Be prepared to defend your land at all costs • DO NOT rent land to any Gaelic families • Make sure the roads were kept in good order.

5. DID IT WORK?

6. IT WAS A FAILURE • WHY? • It was supposed to save money so when the army left, the settlers had no protection from raids. • Why on earth would you want to leave the comfort of you own warm two-story home in England to go live in the ‘sticks’ of Ireland? • Because the English didn’t want to come over here the people who did come over had to break the rules and employ the disloyal Gaelic people • Also Queen Mary died and her sister Elizabeth had other problems to deal with first.