For three centuries following the Reformation, the Church of Ireland was the \'Established Church\' (the state Church) of the country.
This status was removed by the Irish Church Act of 1869 as part of Prime Minister Gladstone\'s policy to meet the grievances of Irish nationalists and thereby win their support for the Union with Great Britain, while at the same time addressing the resentment of other Churches who objected to the privileged position enjoyed by an Established Church that could cla.
For three centuries following the Reformation, the Church of Ireland was the \'Established Church\' (the state Church) of the country