Ribbonism, whose adherents were usually called Ribbonmen refers to the secret associations among 19th century lower class rural Irish Catholics, organised in opposition to Orangeism. The Ribbonmen's organisation was similar to that of the Whiteboys or the Defenders (Ireland) of earlier periods. The ideology of the Ribbonmen was anti-British, anti Protestant and anti-landlord. It could be classified as a primitive form of nationalism. The Ribbonmen were involved in violent riots (some of which ended in deaths) with the Orange Order in the north of Ireland and elsewhere used violence to resist paying tithes to the Protestant Church of Ireland. The name is derived from a green ribbon worn as a badge in a button-hole by the members. The Orange Order is a Protestant fraternal organisation largely based in the province of Ulster, Ireland and in western Scotland but which has a worldwide membership. ... The Whiteboys were a secret Irish organisation. ... The Defenders (Ireland) were a militant peasant secret society in 18th century Ireland, who were involved in the 1798 rebellion. ... The Orange Order, also known as the Orangemen, is a Protestant fraternal organisation largely based in the province of Ulster, Ireland and in western Scotland but which has a worldwide membership. ... The Church of Ireland is an autonomous province of the Anglican Communion, operating seamlessly across the border between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. ...

Ribbonists were most active between 1835 and 1855 and in the Tithe War. 1835 was a common year starting on Thursday (see link for calendar). ... 1855 was a common year starting on Monday (see link for calendar). ... The Tithe War in Ireland (1831-36) refers to a series of periodic skirmishes and violent incidents connected to resistance to the obligation of Irish Catholics to pay tithes for the upkeep of the Protestant Anglican Clergy. ...

See Also

• History of Ireland (1801-1922)

This article incorporates text from the public domain 1907 edition of The Nuttall Encyclopaedia. From 1801 to 1922 the whole island of Ireland formed a constituent part of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland (UK). ... The public domain comprises the body of all creative works and other knowledge—writing, artwork, music, science, inventions, and others—in which no person or organization has any proprietary interest. ... The Nuttall Encyclopaedia is an early 20th century encyclopedia, edited by Rev. ...