Purchase of Land (Ireland) Act 1885 facts for kids
| Act of Parliament | |
|
|
| Citation | 48 & 49 Vict. c. 73 |
|---|---|
| Dates | |
| Royal assent | 14 August 1885 |
The Purchase of Land (Ireland) Act 1885, also known as the Ashbourne Act, was an important law passed by the Parliament of the United Kingdom in 1885. A Conservative Party government, led by Lord Salisbury, created this Act. It was named after Edward Gibson, 1st Baron Ashbourne, who was a key government official in Ireland at the time.
This law helped people in Ireland buy land. It set up a special fund of £5 million. This money allowed tenants (people who rented land) to get loans from the government. They could then use these loans to buy the land they lived on.
Contents
Helping People Buy Land
The Ashbourne Act made it easier for tenants to become landowners. Before this, many people rented their farms from wealthy landlords. This Act aimed to change that.
Affordable Loans for Tenants
The loans offered by the government were designed to be very affordable. People could pay back the money over 48 years. The interest rate was set at 4% each year. This low interest rate and long repayment period made it possible for many more people to buy their own land.
Strengthening Previous Land Laws
The Ashbourne Act built upon earlier laws called the Irish Land Acts. Those laws had already started to help tenants buy land, but only in certain situations. The Ashbourne Act made this right more formal and widespread. It also provided money to the Land Commission, which was the group in charge of managing these land sales.
Why the Act Was Passed
Some people believe the Act was passed for political reasons. The government at the time, led by Lord Salisbury, was a Conservative Party government. They knew their time in power might be short. The Liberal Party had more members in Parliament.
Seeking Political Support
Lord Salisbury hoped to gain the support of Charles Stewart Parnell. Parnell led the Irish Party, a group of politicians from Ireland. Their support was important for Salisbury's government to stay in power. The Ashbourne Act was seen as a way to win over Parnell and his party.
A Failed Political Strategy
However, this plan did not fully work. Soon after, William Ewart Gladstone and the Liberal Party came into government. Gladstone then tried to pass a law called the Government of Ireland Bill 1886. This bill would have given Ireland more self-governance, but it also failed.
Extending the Act
The Ashbourne Act was so helpful that it was extended a few years later. In 1889, the government added another £5 million to the fund for loans. This extension became law in August 1891. It was one of several laws known as the Land Purchase (Ireland) Acts.
See also
