To Barbados or Bofin: the fate of Irish Catholic priests imprisoned in the aftermath of the Cromwellian conquest, 1653 to 1662

The position of Catholic priests in Ireland changed dramatically in the aftermath of the Cromwellian conquest of the country, which was completed in 1653. From a situation where de facto tolerance of the faith was widespread, laws against Roman clergy were now implemented with rigour. Many priests were arrested and executed while many more escaped to the sanctuary of the Catholic countries of continental Europe. As they sought to rid the country of any remnant of a Catholic clerical presence, the Commonwealth authorities undertook a number of schemes that were designed to ensure that the small number of priests who remained in captivity in Ireland would be unable to play any further role in the pastoral care of the Catholic population.