Description

In the decades following the Restoration of the British Monarchy, the Church of Ireland held a total, state-enforced monopoly on religious power. Protestant Dissent and Controversy in Ireland, 1660-1714 by historian Phil Kilroy explores the fascinating, dangerous world of those who dared to defy the established state religion.

This deeply researched academic work focuses on the vibrant, highly controversial communities of “Dissenters”—specifically the Quakers, Presbyterians, and early Independents. Kilroy examines how these groups faced heavy legal penalties, imprisonment, and public hostility for their refusal to conform. Through an analysis of historical theological pamphlets, public debates, and secret community records, the book reveals how these dissenting groups fought for intellectual freedom, shaping the concepts of civil liberty and religious tolerance in a fiercely divided island.

Why this book matters:

• Unique Historical Focus: Shines a light on the often-overlooked minority religious groups of 17th-century Ireland.

• Deep Theological Research: Essential reading for academic historians and scholars of early modern religion.

• Social Defiance: A fascinating study of grassroots resistance against institutional state power.