RIBBONISM, in Irish history, the name given a group of secret associations among the lower classes in Ireland throughout the half century extending from 1820-70 at its greatest height from about 1835 to 1855. Its origin and organization are alike wrapped in obscurity, but it appears in the beginning at least to have been political in its aims, and it seems probable that it grew out of the northern Defenders who banded themselves to oppose the Orange organization. Earlier associations with some what similar aims were the Whiteboys and the Threshers, and in particular corners of the island, the Carders, Shanavests and Caravats. Though everywhere condemned by the Roman Catholic clergy, Ribbonism included none bat Roman Cathohcs within its numbers, and it maintained its influence by a system of oaths and secret signs and passwords. One striking feature of Ribbonism, as distinguished from most Irish patriotic associations, was the fact that its adherents belonged exclusively to the very lowest and most ignorant classes, the hum bler peasantry', farm servants, laborers and petty shopkeepers, laardly even the smallest farmers or their sons apparently belonging to it in any part of Ireland, 'So far as there was any unity in its aims, it aimed at making itself a public conscience on all agrarian questions; but, the Ribbonism of one period and of one district was not the Ribbonism of another. In Ulster
it professed to be a defensive or retaliatory league against OrangeIsm. In Munster it was at first a combination against tithe-proctors. In Connaught it was an organization against rack renting and evictions. In Leinster it often was mere trade unionism. The name originated in a badge worn by the members.