1880 Kilkenny City by-election

The 1880 Kilkenny City by-election took place on 26 February 1880. It arose due to the resignation of the incumbent Liberal MP, Benjamin Whitworth, in order to contest Drogheda. A Mr. Doherty, from Dublin, went forward as a Home Rule candidate, but withdrew, since he had accepted some government contracts.^[1] The only candidate nominated was John Francis Smithwick, who was declared elected unopposed.^[2] Smithwick, although described in The Times as a Liberal, was known as a strong supporter of Home Rule.^[3] Doherty ran against Smithwick in the general election, less than two months later, as a Home Rule candidate. Smithwick won by 318 votes to 204.^[4]

References

1. 'Election Intelligence', The Times, 23 February 1880
2. 'Election Intelligence', The Times, 27 February 1880
3. 'Letters to the Editor', The Times, 4 March 1880
4. Debrett's Illustrated House of Commons and the Judicial Bench, 1882 (Dean and Son, 1882) page 272.