The Repealer Repulsed Book

"The Repealer Repulsed is an account of Daniel O'Connell's visit to Belfast in January 1841. Henry Cooke, the celebrated Presbyterian leader, publicly challenged O'Connell to debate Repeal during the visit. O'Connell refused to debate Cooke, partly because of his unwillingness to elevate his rival's stature but also for fear of violence. In contrast to O'Connell's usual triumphant rallies, the Belfast visit produced extensive rioting and the planned ceremonial welcomes for O'Connell in border towns were cancelled for fear of disorder. O'Connell himself travelled in disguise." The Repealer Repulsed was an 'instant book', written and published in haste to discredit O'Connell. It has been described as a foundation text of Ulster unionism, containing one of the earliest polemics to cite the industrial development of Belfast as an argument in favour of the Union and it provides valuable insight into the construction of political Protestantism.