ABSTRACT
The evolution of Irish nationalism within the British state, the form it took as a political movement and the subsequent political cleavages which characterised Ireland under the Union, highlight the dynamic content of nationalism as well as the contradictions which it brings with it. As the character of Irish nationalism emerged in the 1820s and 1830s, its most pronounced feature to Protestants, was the close association between Catholicism and nationalism. The denominational character of Irish nationalism has frequently been identified, though often denied by Irish nationalism. The success of Irish nationalist politics after 1869 in undermining the economic, political and religious dominance of Irish unionism in the south of the country disguised the continuing strength of unionism in Ulster. All Irish nationalists were insistent that the democratic measure should be the island of Ireland and that simple majorities should define the political outcome.
