United the parliaments of Great Britain and Ireland, abolished the Irish Parliament in Dublin, and ended Irish legislative independence granted in 1782. The Act originated from Britain's difficulties in governing Ireland especially after the Irish rising of 1798, and was designed to strengthen British security against France. The Act came into force on 1 January 1801. In place of her own House of Commons of 300 members, Ireland was given 100 MPs at Westminster, while 28 Irish peers were elected for life by the whole Irish peerage to represent them in the Lords. The Act was intended to pave the way for catholic emancipation in Ireland but George III refused to consent and Pitt, the prime minister, resigned.

Cannon, John. "Union, Act of (Ireland)." A Dictionary of British History. : Oxford University Press, , 2009. Oxford Reference. Date Accessed 1 Apr. 2025 <https://www-oxfordreference-com.offcampus.lib.washington.edu/view/10.109....