The Peerage of Ireland refers to the system of nobility in Ireland, which includes titles such as Duke, Marquess, Earl, Viscount, and Baron. Established in the medieval period, it was a way to recognize and reward individuals for their service to the Crown. The titles are hereditary, passed down through generations, although some can be created by the monarch. Unlike the Peerage of England, the Irish peerage has a unique history, particularly after the Act of Union in 1801, which merged the Irish and British parliaments. Today, many titles remain, but the peerage has largely become ceremonial, with few powers or privileges associated with it.