Subjects · Leaving Cert History
Leaving Cert History: Ireland 1870–1914
How often Ireland 1870–1914 comes up on the History papers, every year it was asked, and questions to try.
HL Asked on 10 of the last 10 Higher Level papers, most recently in 2026. banker
OL Asked on 10 of the last 10 Ordinary Level papers, most recently in 2026. banker
Quick ones on Ireland 1870–1914.
- Charles Stewart Parnell
- Isaac Butt
- Michael Davitt
- 1890
- 1886
- 1881
- 1882
- 1891
- 1879
Show the answers
(a) Isaac Butt
(b) 1881
(c) 1882
Higher Level
Asked on 10 of the last 10 Higher Level papers, most recently in 2026. banker
Every paper, year by year
| Year | Where it came up |
|---|---|
| 2026 | Ireland Topic 2 (DBQ) |
| 2025 | Ireland Topic 2 |
| 2024 | Ireland Topic 2 |
| 2023 | Ireland Topic 2 |
| 2022 | Ireland Topic 2 |
| 2021 | Ireland Topic 2 |
| 2019 | Ireland Topic 2 |
| 2018 | Ireland Topic 2 |
| 2017 | Ireland Topic 2 |
| 2016 | Ireland Topic 2 |
Links open the State Examinations Commission’s paper for that year.
More Ireland 1870–1914 questions
Ireland 1870–1914, 2 marks
In which year was the Plan of Campaign launched?
- 1879
- 1903
- 1886
Show the answer
1886
Led by John Dillon, William O'Brien and Tim Harrington, tenants offered landlords a fair rent. If it was refused, they paid it into a fund to help evicted tenants.
Ireland 1870–1914, 2 marks
In which year was the Ashbourne Land Purchase Act passed?
- 1903
- 1885
- 1881
Show the answer
1885
Named after Lord Ashbourne, it let tenants borrow the full purchase price to buy their holdings. It was an early step towards tenants owning the land.
Ireland 1870–1914, 2 marks
Which Chief Secretary was nicknamed 'Bloody Balfour'?
- Arthur Balfour
- George Wyndham
- W.E. Forster
Show the answer
Arthur Balfour
Balfour's nickname came after police shot dead three people at Mitchelstown in 1887. As Chief Secretary he combined coercion with land purchase and the Congested Districts Board.
Ordinary Level
Asked on 10 of the last 10 Ordinary Level papers, most recently in 2026. banker
Every paper, year by year
| Year | Where it came up |
|---|---|
| 2026 | Ireland Topic 2 (DBQ) |
| 2025 | Ireland Topic 2 |
| 2024 | Ireland Topic 2 |
| 2023 | Ireland Topic 2 |
| 2022 | Ireland Topic 2 |
| 2021 | Ireland Topic 2 |
| 2019 | Ireland Topic 2 |
| 2018 | Ireland Topic 2 |
| 2017 | Ireland Topic 2 |
| 2016 | Ireland Topic 2 |
Links open the State Examinations Commission’s paper for that year.
More Ireland 1870–1914 questions
Ireland 1870–1914, 2 marks
Who founded the Irish National Land League in 1879?
- Isaac Butt
- Arthur Griffith
- Michael Davitt
Show the answer
Michael Davitt
Davitt, a Mayo man whose family had been evicted, set up the Land League to fight for tenant farmers during the bad years of the late 1870s.
Ireland 1870–1914, 2 marks
Who was president of the Irish National Land League?
- John Redmond of Wexford
- Charles Stewart Parnell
- Michael Davitt of Mayo
Show the answer
Charles Stewart Parnell
Parnell, a Protestant landlord and MP, was made president in 1879. Linking the land question to Home Rule became known as the New Departure.
Ireland 1870–1914, 3 marks
What were the three Fs demanded by the Land League?
- Fair rent, fixity of tenure and free sale
- Free trade, fair wages and full employment
- Fair rent, free schooling and farm grants
Show the answer
Fair rent, fixity of tenure and free sale
These were the three demands of tenant farmers: a rent they could afford, the right not to be evicted, and the right to sell their interest in the farm.