[2] Formed to counter the Irish National League's 'Plan of Campaign',[1] one of its stated purposes was to "unite together all friends of law and order of all classes in this county in a body for their mutual defence and protection".
[2] While it was a "landlord dominated organisation",[2] its members (of which there were approximately 770 in 1886)[2] also reportedly included merchants, farmers, shopkeepers, artisans and labourers.
The CDU was organised under the presidency of James Bernard, 4th Earl of Bandon and his assistant Hayes St Leger, 4th Viscount Doneraile to support those impacted by the National League's boycotting campaign.
[4][5] A parallel organisation, the Irish Defence Union, was headed by the Earl of Bandon and "based in London for lobbying and fund-raising purposes".
[5] The CDU, which was also opposed to Home Rule, was reportedly described by the Irish Parliamentary Party politician William John Lane as the "Royal Cattle-Lifting and Outrage Manufacturing Association".