The
Protestant Ascendancy — known simply as
the Ascendancy — was the political, economic and social domination of
Ireland by a minority of landowners, Protestant clergy and members of the professions, all members of the
Established Church (the
Church of Ireland and
Church of England) between the 17th century and the early 20th century. The Ascendancy excluded other groups from politics and high society – widely seen as primarily
Roman Catholics, but also members of the
Presbyterian and other Protestant denominations, along with non-Christians such as
Jews. Until the
Reform Acts (1832-1928) even the majority of Irish Protestants were effectively excluded from the Ascendancy, being too poor to vote. In general, the privileges of the Ascendancy were resented by
Irish Catholics, who made up the majority of the population.