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At the beginning of the nineteenth century, the so-called "Irish Question", regarding the response of the British government to rising nationalistic sentiments in Ireland, began to once again emerge into the public consciousness.

[citation needed] As a result of pressure from the opposition as well as Ireland, the incumbent government administration was forced to repeal portions of the Penal laws and grant increased authority to the Irish parliament.

[citation needed] Lord Byron was impressed by Lines on the Entry of the Austrians into Naples, which was written by Irish writer Thomas Moore in 1821.

Byron criticised the attitudes displayed by the Irish people towards the Crown, an institution he perceived as oppressing them, and was dismayed by the positive reception George IV received during his visit.

In his second speech to the House of Lords, which he delivered on 21 April 1812, Byron spoke in defense of the civil rights of Irish Catholics.