Heads of Ireland

Chief Secretaries of Ireland


1847-1856: Charles Herbert (Radical)

-sees disintegration of repeal assoc after death of "father of the nation" o'connell, more radical irish confed emerges

-elections are for radicals due to popularity of baines

-made tentative steps towards land reform, with recognition of custom of ulster


1856-1860: Isaac Butt (Moderate)

1858 def. George Henry Moore (Radical)


-establishes denominational schools with govt funding for all religions

-unseated by baines, due to assembly responsibility not established


1860-1862: George Henry Moore (Radical)

1861 def. Isaac Butt (Moderate)

-constantly opposed by assembly members for not following assembly responsibility

-measures consistently frustrated

-eventually goes on to resign, allow isaac butt to take over, in what is instrumental to the formation of assembly responsibilty convention


1862-1873: Isaac Butt (Moderate)

1864 def. George Henry Moore (Radical)

1867 def. Sean O'Connor (Radical)

1870 def. Sean O'Connor (Radical)

-crisis gives him popularity with people who otherwise prefer radicals, wins landslide

-opposed to burgeoning land reform movement but still enables very limited redistribution

-popularity eventually dissipates over his latent toryism, results in radical victory


1873-1882: Sean O'Connor (Radical)

1873 def. Isaac Butt (Moderate)

1876 def. John Parnell (Moderate)

1879 def. John Parnell (Moderate)


-institutes more radical land reform

-defends and promotes irish language, funds irish schools


1882-1891: John Parnell (Moderate)

1882 def. Sean O'Connor (Old Radical), [some name](New Radical)

1885 def. Sean O'Connor (Radical), [some name](Fenian)

-radical party split between old and new radicals, primarily land focused with new radicals believing land reform too moderate


1891-1896: John Redmond (Moderate)

1896-1901: John Redmond (Moderate-Radical Alliance)

-firmly catholic but belongs to established family, shows weakening religious divides and rise of anti-fenian sentiments


1901-1902: [some name](Fenian)

-successfully gains recognition of full irish legislative independence in some areas


1901-xxxx: [some name](Radical-Moderate Alliance)