Maynooth Grant facts for kids
The Maynooth Grant was money given by the British government to a Catholic school in Ireland. In 1845, the Prime Minister, Sir Robert Peel, wanted to make things better between Catholic Ireland and Protestant Britain. He decided to give more money to St Patrick's College, Maynooth, a Catholic seminary (a school for training priests) that needed repairs. This idea caused a big argument in the 1840s. It showed how some British Protestants felt against Irish people and Catholics.
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What Was Maynooth College?
In 1795, a law called the Maynooth College Act 1795 created a Catholic seminary in Maynooth, Ireland. It was called St Patrick's College. A seminary is a special school where people study to become priests.
Why the Grant Caused a Stir
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In 1845, Prime Minister Peel suggested giving more money to Maynooth College. He proposed that the school would get over £26,000 each year. It would also receive a one-time payment of £30,000 for repairs.
Peel's friends in government warned him this was a risky political move. However, Peel believed he had to do it to prevent more trouble in Ireland. He knew there was a movement in Ireland to break away from Britain. Catholic priests were very active in this movement. Peel hoped the grant would win their support and separate them from those wanting independence.
Strong Feelings Against the Grant
Many members of Peel's own party, the Conservatives, were very angry. They were mostly Protestant and did not want to fund a Catholic school. They protested strongly against the idea.
Even Queen Victoria supported Peel's decision. She said that Peel should be "blessed by all Catholics" for trying to help Ireland. She felt ashamed of the strong, angry feelings shown by some Protestants. In 1849, she and Prince Albert even visited the college during their trip to Ireland.
A Member of Parliament Speaks Out
In 1845, John Pemberton Plumptre, a member of Parliament, spoke against the grant. He wrote that people should oppose this "new and deep wound" to their Protestant beliefs. He urged them to protect their "blessings and privileges" as Protestants. This shows how important and emotional the issue was in Parliament.
Groups Opposing the Grant
A large meeting called the Anti-Maynooth Conference was held in London. Over 1,000 people from England and Ireland attended. More than a million signatures were collected to protest the grant.
Another group called the "Voluntaryists" also opposed the grant. Their reason was different. They believed the government should not give money to any private school or college. They were upset about the Maynooth Grant because it went against their belief.
The Grant Becomes Law
The Maynooth bill, which became the Maynooth College Act 1845, passed with 323 votes for it and 176 against. This decision, along with the repeal of the Corn Laws (another big change), caused a split in Peel's Conservative party. This split eventually led to the creation of the modern Liberal and Conservative parties in Britain.
William Gladstone, a politician, had previously written that a Protestant country should not pay money to other churches. He resigned from the government because the grant went against his beliefs. However, he still voted for the bill in Parliament. Benjamin Disraeli, another important politician, also opposed the grant. He broke away from his political friends to gain support against Peel.
Even though the grant caused a lot of arguments and weakened Peel's government, it set an important example. Within three years, the government started giving money to Catholic schools in England too.
