Daniel O'Connell (1775-1847) was a prominent Irish political leader and advocate for Catholic rights during the early 19th century.
Often referred to as "The Liberator" or "The Emancipator," O'Connell is best known for his successful campaign to achieve Catholic Emancipation in 1829, which allowed Catholics to sit in the British Parliament and hold public office.
Early life of Daniel O'Connell
Born in 1775 in County Kerry, his parents were Morgan O'Connell and Catherine O'Mullane. Members of a wealthy Catholic family he was raised in Derrynane House belonging to his Uncle. At the age of 16, Daniel and his eldest brother attended the English Jesuits College at Douai. Soon after, Louis XVI, the last King of France, was executed in 1793 during the French Revolution, so both brothers fled to London.
During his time in London, Daniel O'Connell took up legal studies and trained as an apprentice at The Honourable Society of Lincoln’s Inn. After the repeal of some Irish Penal Laws with the Roman Catholic Relief Act of 1793, O'Connell returned home to Ireland. His return to Ireland marked the beginning of his long and influential career as a political leader and advocate for Catholic rights.
Daniel O'Connell's Career
When O'Connell returned to Ireland in 1795 he established himself as a barrister. He gained a reputation for his legal skill, particularly in defending Irish Catholics, who were often marginalized and faced legal discrimination. His legal career provided him with the platform and financial stability to engage in political activism.
Early in his career, O'Connell strongly opposed the use of violence to achieve political ends. This stance was shaped by his experiences during the French Revolution and the violent uprising of the United Irishmen in 1798. He believed peaceful, constitutional methods were the best way to secure rights for Catholics and Irish people in general.
Catholic Emancipation movement
In the early 1820s, Daniel O’ Connell turned his attention to the cause of Emancipation. In 1823, O'Connell founded the Catholic Association, which became one of the most effective political organizations in Irish history. The Association aimed to achieve Catholic Emancipation through peaceful means, such as mass mobilization, fundraising (through the "Catholic Rent"), and legal advocacy. The Catholic Association attracted widespread support among Irish Catholics, making it a powerful force in Irish politics.
O’ Connell and the Catholic Association next allied themselves with the Catholic clergy in persuading the 40 shilling freeholders to go against their landlord's wishes and vote in MP's who supported emancipation.
In 1828 The Duke of Wellington, at the behest of George lV, became Prime Minister, and like his Home Secretary Sir Robert Peel, was opposed to Emancipation. They both watched in alarm as O'Connell and his Association organized huge demonstrations. O’ Connell himself sat for and succeeded in winning the seat for County Clare. He had taken advantage of the fact whilst a Catholic could not sit as an MP, there was no law forbidding one to stand for election. This forced Peel, a bitter opponent of O’Connell, to reconsider his stand on the question of Catholic emancipation as he feared the consequences for peace in Ireland, and he was able to persuade Wellington to go along with him.
In 1829 the bill granting full Emancipation for Catholics was passed in parliament. However, the level of qualifying as a voter was raised from 40 shillings to £10, thereby disqualifying most of those who had helped O'Connell.
The Repeal movement
After achieving Catholic Emancipation, O'Connell continued to advocate for Irish rights, focusing on the repeal of the Act of Union (1801), which had dissolved the Irish Parliament and integrated Ireland into the United Kingdom. In 1840, he founded the Repeal Association, aiming to restore the Irish Parliament. Although he organized massive "monster meetings" to rally support, the movement faced significant opposition from the British government, and O'Connell was eventually arrested in 1844 on charges of conspiracy. Despite these setbacks, O'Connell remained a significant figure in Irish politics until his death in 1847 at Derrynane House.
Sources:
Kee, R. The Green Flag, a History of Irish Nationalism. Penguin Books. London 2000 edition.
Bardon, J. A History of Ireland. Gill and Macmillan. Dublin 2009 edition.
Madden, F.J.M. The History of Ireland. Teach Yourself Books. Hodder Education London. 2007 edition.
