The country was suffering at this period from the most fearful distress.  There were many causes for this state of destitution, which were quite obvious to all but those who were interested in maintaining it.  The poorer classes, being almost exclusively Catholics, had been deprived of every means of support.  Trade was crushed, so that they could not become traders; agriculture was not permitted, so that they could not become agriculturists.  There was, in fact, no resource for the majority but to emigrate, to steal, or to starve.  To a people whose religion always had a preponderating influence on their moral conduct, the last alternative only was available, as there was not the same facilities for emigration then as now.  The cultivation of the potato had already become general; it was, indeed, the only way of obtaining food left to these unfortunates.  They were easily planted, easily reared; and to men liable at any moment to be driven from their miserable holdings, if they attempted to effect “improvements,” or to plant such crops as might attract the rapacity of their landlords, they were an invaluable resource.  The man might live who eat nothing but potatoes all the year round, but he could scarcely be envied or ejected for his wealth.  In 1739 a severe frost destroyed the entire crop, and a frightful famine ensued, in which it was estimated that 400,000 persons perished of starvation.

In 1747 George Stone succeeded Dr. Hoadley as Primate of Ireland.  His appointment was made evidently more in view of temporals than spirituals, and he acted accordingly.  Another undignified squabble took place in 1751 and 1753, between the English and Irish Parliaments, on the question of privilege.  For a time the “patriot” or Irish party prevailed; but eventually they yielded to the temptation of bribery and place.  Henry Boyle, the Speaker, was silenced by being made Earl of Shannon; Anthony Malone was made Chancellor of the Exchequer; and the opposition party was quietly broken up.

An attempt was now made to form a Catholic Association, and to obtain by combination and quiet pressure what had been so long denied to resistance and military force.  Dr. Curry, a physician practising in Dublin, and the author of the well-known Historical and Critical Review of the Civil Wars of Ireland; Charles O’Connor, of Belanagar, the Irish antiquary, and Mr. Wyse, of Waterford, were the projectors and promoters of this scheme.  The clergy stood aloof from it, fearing to lose any liberty they still possessed if they demanded more; the aristocracy held back, fearing to forfeit what little property yet remained to them, if they gave the least excuse for fresh “settlements” or plunderings.  A few Catholic merchants, however, joined the three friends; and in conjunction they prepared an address to the Duke of Bedford, who was appointed Lord Lieutenant in 1757.  The address was favourably received, and an answer returned after some time.  The Government already had apprehensions of the French invasion, and it was deemed politic to give the Catholics some encouragement, however faint.  It is at least certain that the reply declared, “the zeal and attachment which they [the Catholics] professed, would never be more seasonably manifested than at the present juncture.”