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County Louth (UK Parliament constituency)

County Louth is a former parliamentary constituency in Ireland, which was represented in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. It returned two Members of Parliament (MPs) from 1801 to 1885, and one MP from 1918 to 1922.

History

From 1801 to 1885, the constituency comprised County Louth, except for the parliamentary boroughs of Drogheda and Dundalk. It succeeded the constituency of County Louth in the Irish House of Commons. Between 1885 and 1918 the county was divided into the county divisions of North Louth and South Louth. In 1918, the reunited constituency covered the entire county of Louth plus a small part of County Meath near Drogheda.

At the 1918 general election, Sinn Féin won by 255 votes, its narrowest margin of victory in that election. John J. O'Kelly, a native of County Kerry, resident in Glasnevin, Dublin, was Louth's first TD. The constituency was merged with Meath to form the 5-seat Louth–Meath constituency for the 2nd and 3rd Dála.

Members of Parliament

MPs 1801–85

MPs 1918–22

Elections

Elections in the 1830s

Dawson's death caused a by-election.

FitzGerald's death caused a by-election.

Elections in the 1840s

Chester resigned by accepting the office of Steward of the Chiltern Hundreds, causing a by-election.

Elections in the 1850s

Fortescue was appointed a Lord Commissioner of the Treasury, requiring a by-election.

Elections in the 1860s

Bellew resigned after he was appointed a law commissioner, causing a by-election.

Parkinson-Fortescue was appointed Chief Secretary for Ireland, requiring a by-election.

Parkinson-Fortescue was appointed Chief Secretary for Ireland, requiring a by-election.

Elections in the 1870s

Callan was also elected MP for Dundalk and opted to sit there.

Elections in the 1880s

Sullivan declined to take the seat, causing a by-election.

Elections in the 1910s

References

Sources

  • The Parliaments of England by Henry Stooks Smith (1st edition published in three volumes 1844–50), 2nd edition edited (in one volume) by F.W.S. Craig (Political Reference Publications 1973)