List of Irish general elections (pre‑1801)

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This is a list of general elections to the Irish House of Commons, the lower house of the Parliament of Ireland before its abolition under the Acts of Union 1800.

Contents

Before 1768, parliaments were often long-lived and dissolved only on the demise of the Crown. The Octennial Act of 1768 limited the maximum duration of Parliament to eight years, creating more regular elections. [1]

The Irish Parliament was abolished under the Acts of Union 1800, which merged the Kingdom of Ireland and the Kingdom of Great Britain to form the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. It was succeeded by representation of Ireland in the Parliament of the United Kingdom, with Irish MPs sitting at Westminster. [1]

General elections

Election yearNotes / Context
1692 First general election after the Williamite War in Ireland. [2]
1695
1703
1713
1715
1727 Election after death of George I; Catholics disenfranchised. [3]
1761
1769 First election under Octennial Act rules. [1]
1776 Held under Octennial Act maximum-term provision. [2]
1783 Held following Constitution of 1782, increasing legislative independence. [1]
1790
1797 Final general election before the Acts of Union 1800; Catholics (meeting property requirements) could vote under the Catholic Relief Act 1793. [2]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Johnston‑Liik, E. M. (2002). History of the Irish Parliament, 1692–1800: Commons, Constituencies and Statutes. Vol. 1. Belfast: Ulster Historical Foundation.
  2. 1 2 3 Johnston‑Liik, E. M. (2002). History of the Irish Parliament, 1692–1800: Commons, Constituencies and Statutes. Vol. 2. Belfast: Ulster Historical Foundation.
  3. McCracken, J. L. (1947). "Irish parliamentary elections, 1727–68". Irish Historical Studies. 5 (19): 209–230.