From 1888 to 1889, a special commission, known as the Parnell Commission, was established in London to investigate allegations that Charles Stewart Parnell and the Irish Parliamentary Party had been involved in criminal activities, including the Phoenix Park Murders. The commission, which was a response to a series of articles in 'The Times,' ultimately cleared Parnell of the most serious charges but damaged his reputation. The commission was a major political event that highlighted the tensions between Britain and Ireland.

The Parnell Commission is a subject of political poetry, with writers defending Parnell against the charges and condemning the British government's attempt to discredit him. The commission's proceedings are often contrasted with the earlier treatment of the Fenians, suggesting a shift in the tactics of British repression. The poetry of the period reflects the intense emotions surrounding the Parnell controversy, which divided Irish nationalism.