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Cartoon, End of the Irish Farce of Catholic Emancipation
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Cartoon, End of the Irish Farce of Catholic Emancipation
Cartoon, End of the Irish Farce of Catholic Emancipation, by James Gillray. Showing a scene outside Heaven, with St Peter at the gate of Popish Supremacy and a crowd of Catholic priests and clergy, some of them politicians in costume such as Fox, Buckingham and Grenville, blown back by shadowy British politicians in profile (left). With a parodic verse in the style of Milton below. Date: 1806
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Media ID 14230275
© The Sharp Illustration Collection / Mary Evans Picture Library
1800s 1806 Blowing Blown Buckingham Bull Clergy Comment Criticism Emancipation Farce Gillray Grenville Harsh Heaven Intolerance Milton Papal Parody Patrick Peter Petition Politicians Popish Priests Satire Satirical Shadowy Supremacy Tolerance Verse
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EDITORS COMMENTS
James Gillray's bitterly satirical print, "End of the Irish Farce of Catholic Emancipation," offers a scathing commentary on the ongoing debate over Catholic Emancipation in Ireland during the early 19th century. The scene unfolds outside the gates of Heaven, where St. Peter stands firm, barring entry to a crowd of Catholic priests and clergy, as well as politicians such as Fox, Buckingham, and Grenville, dressed in their respective costumes. The shadowy figures of British politicians loom in the background, blowing back the Irish petitioners with a gust of wind. The parodic verse below, written in the style of John Milton, adds to the print's harsh criticism. It reads: "But now, alas! The long-desired boon, Which Ireland's Saints and Politicians crave, Is snatch'd away by England's haughty scorn, And Heaven's Gate denies them all entrance. No more for them the blissful realms above, But everlasting purgatory below, Where they must dwell, and suffer endless pain, For daring to seek the Popish Bull's embrace." This powerful image reflects the deep-seated intolerance and animosity towards Catholicism that persisted in England during this period. The print was published in 1806, a time when the issue of Catholic Emancipation was a contentious political topic, and Gillray's biting satire served to fuel the flames of the ongoing debate. The print's enduring significance lies in its ability to capture the complexities and tensions of this pivotal moment in Irish and British history.
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