Political and social conditions of Ireland
...alification, which required members to have an income from property of at least £600 a year in the case of county constituencies. They were expected to fund their own campaigns. They had to be able, if elected, to spend a large part of every year in London, maintaining the lifestyle appropriate to a Member of Parliament. The great leader as most Catholic Irish saw it at the time, was Daniel O'Connell. These were the political conditions. The Social conditions were as so. The Irish were light-hearted and always ready for music, dancing and story-telling. Communities were highly interactive, and the performing arts were loved. People were generally friendly with each other’s. Beggars and travelers were welcomed and it was traditional never to turn anyone from the door or refuse anyone food. Back when my Ancestors came from Ireland the average family was proud after a days work, if they had potatoes enough to feed their family and anybody that came ...