catholic emancipation

Above : Picture Of Earl Donoughmore

Above : Painting Of Lord George Beresford

In 1826 another Catholic Petition was presented, and met the same fate as its numerous predecessors. Direct political action was now resolved on. There was a Parliamentary vacancy in Waterford, and Lord George Beresford, brother of the Marquis of Waterford, expected to be returned unopposed. It was decided that Mr. Villiers Stuart, member of an old Protestant family, but a man of very liberal views, should be introduced as a rival candidate under the auspices of the Association.

Above : Painting Of Daniel O’Connell

A bolder stroke than any which they had yet attempted was now prepared by the Catholic Association. A Parliamentary vacancy had occurred in Clare, owing to the appointment of Mr. Vesey Fitzgerald, the sitting member, to an office under Government, the holding of which forced him to seek re-election. The Association resolved to put forward a Catholic candidate, O’Connell himself. His election would bring the whole question of Emancipation to an issue, as he declared from the first that he would not take the oaths against the Mass, Transubstantiation, etc. O’Connell at first was rather reluctant to undertake the contest. Fitzgerald was himself a man of liberal views, and his father, who was now dying, had suffered for his opposition to the Union. When once, however, he had made his choice, he entered into the fight with the whole vigour of his nature.