Confederation of Kilkenny

In Irish history, title given to the series of assemblies of Old English and Gaelic Irish Catholics held 1642–48. The confederation was organized by the Catholic clergy after the Old English joined the Gaelic Irish rebellion against government forces begun in 1641. However, fundamental divisions between the groups, and between secular and clerical leaders, paralyzed its ability to conduct war, and dissension increased from 1646 after conservative elements within the Old English sought peace with the Marquis of Ormond (1610–1688), commander of the royalist forces. Failure to form a united front proved fatal as the English Parliament, victorious in the English Civil War (1642–51), turned its attention to Ireland, and Oliver Cromwell's campaign of 1649–51 crushed all opposition.

The confederation originally intended to administer Catholic areas of Ireland until a settlement could be agreed, asserting their rights as subjects of Charles I; their motto was Pro Deo, Rege et Patria Hibernia Unanimis, ‘For God, King and Ireland United’.