the late 18th century saw an easing of enforcment of the penal laws and a number of relief acts (mainly in times of war) towards Catholics in Ireland. There seemed to be a push for reform and full emancipation in the 1780s and became very much apparent in the 1790s. British interests, especially in the background of the napoleonic wars was to both secure their flank and to have a loyal catholic population to draw from militarily, financially and economically for the war, reflected by the relief acts. Protestants in Ireland felt increasingly at risk, with the likes of the 1641 massacre playing on their minds, but more generally fearing granting Catholics the right to sit in parliament would mean eventual stripping of the protestant position in Ireland, notably in regards to land.
The overall solution was hypothesised to be, and the one that ultimately came about was the Act of Union, with promise of catholic emancipation. However it came after the 1798 rebellion which considerably blunted any softening in opinion towards the Catholic Question, emancipation not being granted until much later.
The question is therefore, would it be possible for union earlier in the 1790s (pre 1798) or butterflying away the United Irishmen and their rebellion, and with such a union emancipation, as what was even expected by many in the aftermath of the otl union?
The overall solution was hypothesised to be, and the one that ultimately came about was the Act of Union, with promise of catholic emancipation. However it came after the 1798 rebellion which considerably blunted any softening in opinion towards the Catholic Question, emancipation not being granted until much later.
The question is therefore, would it be possible for union earlier in the 1790s (pre 1798) or butterflying away the United Irishmen and their rebellion, and with such a union emancipation, as what was even expected by many in the aftermath of the otl union?