22 (40) Worse than Animals Many other colonized nations were treated better than the Irish, even though the disposition of colonialism always is rancorous and violent. The Irish, particularly the Catholics, were regarded as inferior creatures, without human needs and rights. The confiscation of land and the religious and political oppression in combination with the Great Famine in 1845-47 resulted into a halving of the population. Two million Irishmen either emigrated or died. During the 19th century, Dingle had in fact better contacts with USA and Spain than with Dublin and London. The geographical position of the West Coast facilitated the relations to Spain down the centuries.   21 23 First published: Friday 20th December, 2002 Send a to the author! You may also use this form