In 1843, Daniel O'Connell's Repeal Association organized a series of massive 'Monster Meetings' across Ireland, demanding the repeal of the Act of Union and the restoration of an Irish parliament. The meetings, which drew crowds of up to 100,000 people, were a demonstration of the power of mass democratic politics and the depth of support for Irish self-government. The movement was ultimately suppressed by the British government, which banned a planned meeting at Clontarf.

The Monster Meetings are a subject of celebratory poetry, with poets like Thomas Davis and others hailing the gatherings as a sign of Ireland's national awakening. The meetings' peaceful nature is often contrasted with the violence of earlier rebellions, suggesting the power of constitutional agitation. The poetry of the period reflects the hopes and frustrations of the Repeal movement, which would later inspire the Young Ireland rebellion.