Kilkenny Statutes a series of law initiated in 1704 by the ruling
English over the Irish. Under these laws, the Catholics could no
longer practice law, run for elected office, serve in the military,
purchase land or own property, including horses, with a value greater than 5
pounds. Catholic education, religion and language were outlawed and
forced underground, creating open-air masses and hedge schools.
Marriage between Irish Catholics and English Protestants was forbidden.