Young Wolfe's Ireland had long been dominated by England, but things did not start out that way. Before the reign of Henry VIII, English people lived in Ireland (they had since the 12th century) but did not control Irish affairs. Life, however, changed dramatically for the Irish people when Henry VIII was king (1509-1547). He wanted to rule Ireland.

In order to actualize his objective, Henry VIII sent English Protestants to Ireland. Their mission was to "colonize" an already established, largely Catholic country. Elizabeth I continued her father's efforts with a more audacious plan: establish English plantations throughout Ireland. She achieved even more dramatic results than her father.

Declaring that all newly established plantations belonged to England, Elizabeth forced the Irish people to rent the very land they had once owned. This effort to "colonize" Ireland was very successful, especially in the areas around Dublin and in the province of Ulster.

The town of "Derry" became "Londonderry." The Irish Parliament, which had so effectively managed the daily affairs of Ireland, became "Irish" in name only. England had taken control of the "Emerald Isle."

Whenever the Irish were fed up, and attempted to regain their independence, English forces defeated them. These dark centuries became known as the time of "Protestant Ascendancy." Wolfe Tone, whose family was Irish Protestant, was born during the time of this "Ascendancy."

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