The 1790s were a time of agitation in Ireland. Much of it was led by two Irish nationalist groups — the Society of United Irishmen (whose leaders were mainly Presbyterians) and the Defenders (a mainly Catholic rural "vigilante" group). The United Irishmen was founded in October 1791 by liberal Protestants in Belfast. They wanted greater independence from Britain and called for parliamentary reform with equal representation for all Irish males, regardless of religion. Opposing them was the unionist Protestant Peep-o'-Day Boys, a rural "vigilante" group much like the Defenders.