Members of the Anglican Church of Ireland were once again elevated to the top of the social and political ladder. Only Irish Protestants were permitted to serve in the Irish Parliament. Passage of the Penal Laws placed an enormous burden on Catholics by stripping them of religious, financial, and social rights. The Penal Laws severely restricted the practice of their religion. Bishops were banished under penalty of death and priests were forced to conduct their services in secret.
Catholics couldn t carry arms, teach, practice law, hold office or vote.
Restrictions were placed on the amount of land a Catholic could own or lease. This would further reduce the amount of land owned by Catholics. Catholics were also required to pay tithes to the Church of Ireland, a tremendous burden when coupled with high rents. Presbyterians, the Scots-Irish, were also subject to laws restricting their rights. They were required to pay tithes, were not allowed to hold office, and Presbyterian ministers were prohibited from performing marriages.