Daniel O’Connell

Daniel O’Connell was born in Kerry in 1775. He was taught at first by a hedge-school master and then he went to France. He saw terrible bloodshed during the French Revolution which caused him to hate any kind of violence. He came back to Ireland in 1798 when he had qualified to be a lawyer.

Freedom for Catholics

Catholics were not allowed to become members of parliament. O’Connell set about getting this changed. He set up a group called the Catholic Association. The membership was 21 shillings (€1.33). Most people did not have this kind of money. Ordinary people were allowed to join for one old penny (less than 1c) per month. Lots of people joined up and they paid their money at the chapel gates every Sunday.

Clare Election

O’Connell went up for election in Clare. There was no secret voting. Tenants had to say out loud who they were voting for. Tenants could be thrown out of their farms if they voted against the landlord. The Catholic people voted for O’Connell, and he was elected. The British had to pass a law allowing Catholics to become members of parliament. This was called Catholic Emancipation (Emancipation means freedom). O’Connell won this for the Irish people without any violence being used.

Repeal of the Act of Union

O’Connell now tried to get rid of the Act of Union. He held meetings all around Ireland. He wanted to hold a big meeting in Clontarf. The government banned the meeting and said it would send in the army if O’Connell tried to hold the meeting. O’Connell called off the meeting. Many people were upset and O’Connell was never as powerful again. He died in 1847 while on a journey to Rome. He is buried in Glasnevin. His grave is marked by a big Round Tower.

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