27 (40) The Liberator The American war of independence against England aroused rebellion in Ireland. The struggle led to improvements for the Irish. The Catholics won their right to vote in 1793. But Britain did not want to loose her colony. Therefore in 1801 the Act of Union was created and it tied Ireland closer to the Westminster parliament, shamelessly called "the Mother of All Parliaments". The 19th century saw the lawyer Daniel O'Connell enter into history. He was the first Catholic ever to gain admittance to the bar association and to political power. He contributed to The Emancipation Act in 1822, laws promoting Home Rule. O'Connell was a true great man in the history of Irish independence. He is still called "the Liberator". 26 28 First published: Friday 20th December, 2002 Send a to the author! You may also use this form