Podcast Summary: Empire
Episode 232: Colonising Ireland: The First Plantations (Ep 2)
Release Date: February 25, 2025
Hosts: William Dalrymple and Anita Anand
Guest Expert: Professor Jane Almayer

Introduction

In Episode 232 of Empire, hosts William Dalrymple and Anita Anand delve into the complex history of English colonization in Ireland, focusing on the first plantations initiated during the Tudor period. Joined by Professor Jane Almayer, the discussion navigates through military strategies, socio-economic impacts, and the enduring legacy of these early colonial endeavors.

Tudor Control and Military Strategies

The episode begins by exploring how the Tudor dynasty managed to exert control over Ireland more effectively than their Anglo-Norman predecessors. Professor Almayer explains, “They basically took Dublin and established their administrative and military headquarters there, using it as a base for raids and establishing garrisons in strategic areas” (04:04).

The hosts discuss the construction of fortified castles and tower houses, such as those in Carrickfergus, which served as centers for English troops. Dalrymple highlights the military architecture, noting, “You see a lot of military architecture popping up, especially in areas where they want to exercise control” (04:55).

Religious and Cultural Divides

A significant portion of the conversation addresses the intertwining of religious conflict and colonization. As Elisabeth I's reign progressed, the Protestant-Catholic divide intensified, influencing both colonization policies and resistance movements. Anita Anand observes, “By this stage, the reign of Elizabeth I... begins to really assert itself” (06:28).

Edmund Spencer's writings, particularly his tract A View of the State of Ireland, are scrutinized for their role in advocating the eradication of the Gaelic Irish. Professor Almayer discusses Spencer’s rhetoric: “He describes Ireland as a diseased portion of the state, it must first be cured and reformed” (12:28).

Economic Transformation and Land Confiscation

The episode delves into the economic motivations behind the plantations, emphasizing the shift from a barter-based economy to one centered around money and commercialization. The guest expert explains, “There's this push for commercialization, urbanization and the replacement of an economy that's effectively a barter one with one that is around money” (08:25).

Land confiscation was rampant, with millions of Irish acres seized and redistributed to English and Welsh colonists. “For example, in the 17th century, something like 8 million Irish acres are confiscated. That is a third of the entire country” (07:30). This transfer of land often resulted in the displacement of indigenous populations, who were either forcefully removed or coerced into labor without adequate compensation.

Plantations in Ulster and the Establishment of Londonderry

A focal point of the episode is the plantation of Ulster, particularly the founding of Londonderry by the Honorable Society. Professor Almayer outlines the meticulous planning behind the city’s establishment: “They are instructed... to bring civilization to this economic backwater and to commercialize it” (31:11).

The construction of Derry's formidable walls and the segregation of Protestant settlers from the Catholic population in areas like the Bogside are examined as early instances of enforced division. “The walls date from the 1610s... the Irish Catholics are living in the hinterland... it's the Bogside” (34:01).

Resistance and Social Hierarchy

Resistance to colonization manifested through rebellions, guerrilla warfare, and cultural preservation. The discussion highlights the brutal tactics employed by the English, including massacres, executions, and the use of famine as a weapon. “Something like a third of the population of Ulster is massacred” (18:28).

Additionally, the creation of a hierarchical society was evident, with Protestant colonists establishing dominance over the indigenous Catholic population. The guest expert notes, “You have this quite hierarchical society... it is an extraordinarily ambitious blueprint that the King has for Ulster” (26:15).

Legacy and Comparison to Other Empires

The hosts draw parallels between the plantation policies in Ireland and later colonial ventures, such as those in India and the Americas. The infusion of ethnocentric ideologies from settlers like the West Countrymen, including figures like Sir Walter Raleigh, is discussed as a precursor to broader imperialistic strategies. “There are so many direct comparisons, Anita, made between the Indians in the Americas with the Irish” (29:37).

Notable Quotes

• Professor Jane Almayer: "They basically take Dublin and have their administrative military headquarters in Dublin and then they have these raids from Dublin... it's military force." (04:27)

• Anita Anand: "Edmund Spencer writes... 'Ireland as a diseased portion of the state, it must first be cured and reformed...'" (12:28)

• Guest Expert: "Plantations have been happening actually under the Tudors as well... you've got four provinces in Ireland, and under the Tudors we see Munster being planted." (22:35)

• Professor Jane Almayer: "This beautiful sort of silver thread which you can reach right into Yeats's poetry... keep alive, even though there is a real attempt to kind of squash them down at this point." (37:13)

Conclusions

Episode 232 of Empire provides an in-depth examination of the early English plantations in Ireland, highlighting the combination of military strategy, economic ambition, and cultural imposition that fueled colonization. The discussion underscores the profound and lasting impacts of these policies on Ireland's societal fabric, interweaving themes of resistance, identity, and the quest for dominance that resonate through the annals of imperial history.

Note: Timestamps are referenced in brackets for notable quotes and key points throughout the summary.