18th Century Ireland?

Question

In 18th Century Ireland, would landlords have been considered to be part of the elite?

&what would have been the basic hierarchical structure of Ireland at that time?

Answer 1

According to the following link, the land lord class was new to Ireland as of the 18th century.  I cannot say however that it was elite.  I think the elite, would have been the members of Parliament (which could have been landlords, though I am uncertain of that fact) or the Roman Catholic Church.  

http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topi...