<P> By the 18th century, the Anglo - Irish ruling class had come to see Ireland, not England, as their native country . A Parliamentary faction led by Henry Grattan agitated for a more favourable trading relationship with Great Britain and for greater legislative independence for the Irish Parliament . However, reform in Ireland stalled over the more radical proposals toward enfranchising Irish Catholics . This was partially enabled in 1793, but Catholics could not yet become members of the Irish Parliament, or become government officials . Some were attracted to the more militant example of the French Revolution of 1789 . </P> <P> Presbyterians and Dissenters too faced persecution on a lesser scale, and in 1791 a group of dissident Protestant individuals, all of whom but two were Presbyterians, held the first meeting of what would become the Society of the United Irishmen . Originally they sought to reform the Irish Parliament which was controlled by those belonging to the state church; seek Catholic Emancipation; and help remove religion from politics . When their ideals seemed unattainable they became more determined to use force to overthrow British rule and found a non-sectarian republic . Their activity culminated in the Irish Rebellion of 1798, which was bloodily suppressed . </P> <P> Ireland was a separate kingdom ruled by King George III of Britain; he set policy for Ireland through his appointment of the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland or viceroy . In practice, the viceroys lived in England and the affairs in the island were largely controlled by an elite group of Irish Protestants known as "undertakers ." The system changed in 1767, with the appointment of An English politician who became a very strong Viceroy . George Townshend served 1767 - 72 and was in residence in The Castle in Dublin . Townsend had the strong support of both the King and the British cabinet in London, and all major decisions were basically made in London . The Ascendancy complained, and obtained a series of new laws in the 1780s that made the Irish Parliament effective and independent of the British Parliament, although still under the supervision of the king and his Privy Council . </P> <P> Largely in response to the 1798 rebellion, Irish self - government was ended altogether by the provisions of the Acts of Union 1800 (which abolished the Irish Parliament of that era). </P>

When did ireland become a first world country