White Boys

the name of secret peasant organizations in Ireland which were engaged in a struggle against national and social oppression from the beginning of the 1760’s to the end of the 19th century. The White Boys usually operated at night, and they wore white shirts over their clothing. In response to the seizure of communal lands by English landlords, the eviction of tenant farmers from their land, and increases in the amount of rent, the White Boys carried out raids on estates and meted out justice to landlords, managers, and tax collectors.