C.S. Parnell

• Early Life:

  • Charles Stewart Parnell was born on 27 June 1846 in Wicklow to Anglo-Irish Protestant landowners.
  • He studied at Cambridge University but never finished his studies.
  • He was elected to parliament in 1875 as a member of the Home Rule Party in Meath.
• Parnell and the Home Rule Party (1):

  • He had links with the IRB and agreed with their method of parliamentary obstruction, which was talking for so long to delay the opposing party and the passing of legislation.
  • Parnell was popular with Irish farmers as he tried to solve the Land Question. Britain wanted to give loans to farmers and to get rid of renting, while he tried to get lower rents and prevent evictions.
  • The Home Rule Party benefitted from Parnell and won 63 seats in the British General Election of 1880. He became leader of the Party.
• Parnell and the Home Rule Party (2):

  • Parnell used political agitation - encouraging locals to protest for better treatment - to persuade Britain to reform land in Ireland.
  • In 1881, Parnell was sent to Kilmainham Gaol for his speeches and political agitation. Violent protests emerged because of his imprisonment. Gladstone decided an agreement had to be reached.
  • In May 1882, Parnell and Gladstone signed the Kilmainham Treaty, giving tenants help for rent. This boosted the popularity of H.R.P.
  • Four days later, IRB radicals killed British politicians. Peaceful political method were favoured.
• Fight for Home Rule:

  • In 1882, the Home Rule Party was renamed to the Irish Parliamentary Party.
  • In 1884, all men owning property worth £10 or more could vote, increasing the vote count by 300k.
• First Home Rule Bill (1886):

  • In the 1885 General election, the IPP won 86 seats. Parnell could either join the Conservatives or form an alliance with the Liberals.
  • Parnell allied with the Liberals in January 1886, making Gladstone the PM again. As a result, the First Home Rule Bill was put forward.
  • The bill meant Irish MPs would leave Westminster, Ireland would have a Dublin parliament and this parliament could make internal affair laws while Westminster was for external affair laws.
  • Conservatives were against the Home Rule Bill. The Bill was defeated in June 1886, with 341 votes to 311.
• False Accusations:

  • In 1887, false accusations of pro-violence views and involvement in the Phoenix Park murders were made against Parnell in a newspaper. While investigating the letter, it was found to be a forgery. Parnell's name was cleared and he received a standing ovation in the House of Commons.
• Parnell's Fall:

  • His relationship with Katharine O'Shea was the cause of his political downfall. She was married to William O'Shea but separated from him before meeting Parnell. They didn't divorce because of inheritance money.
  • When they decided to divorce in 1890, their relationship was publicised. This drove Parnell's reputation to the ground.
  • Parnell's reputation caused the IPP to split, where he became leader of the Irish National League.
  • He married O'Shea but died 5 months later.