On December 24, 1691, an Act of the British Parliament was passed that effectively barred Catholics from holding public office in Ireland. This legislative measure was a significant component of the Penal Laws, designed to suppress the political, economic, and social influence of the Catholic majority in Ireland. The act reinforced Protestant ascendancy and had long-lasting implications for Irish society, contributing to widespread discrimination and disenfranchisement of Catholics for centuries. It was a key moment in the systematic marginalization of the Catholic population in Ireland.
