Charles O'Neill, 1st Earl O'Neill
Encyclopedia
Charles Henry St John O'Neill, 1st Earl O'Neill KP PC (I)
(22 January 1779 – 12 February 1841) was an Irish politician, peer and landowner.
He was born in 1779 to John O'Neill, 1st Viscount O'Neill, of Shane's Castle
, County Antrim
, Ireland
, and educated at Eton College
before joining Christ Church, Oxford
on 23 November 1795. He became the second Viscount O'Neill in 1798 after the death of his father and then the first Earl O'Neill
in 1800 after the Act of Union
, when it was decided that O'Neill should have precedence in the Irish peerage. After the passing of the act he was elected as one of the 28 Irish peers allowed to sit in the House of Lords
in September 1800. In 1807 he was appointed one of the joint Postmasters General of Ireland
along with Richard Trench, 2nd Earl of Clancarty and in 1809 with Laurence Parsons, 2nd Earl of Rosse
; in practice this was merely an honorary appointment, with the Post Office secretary (Sir Edward Lees) doing much of the work. He was made a member of the Order of St. Patrick
on 13 February 1809 and Lord Lieutenant of Antrim
on 17 October 1831. He died on 25 March 1841 with no heirs; as such the earldom became extinct and the viscountcy transferred to his younger brother John O'Neill, 3rd Viscount O'Neill.
Privy Council of Ireland
The Privy Council of Ireland was an institution of the Kingdom of Ireland until 31 December 1800 and of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland 1801-1922...
(22 January 1779 – 12 February 1841) was an Irish politician, peer and landowner.
He was born in 1779 to John O'Neill, 1st Viscount O'Neill, of Shane's Castle
Shane's Castle
Shane's Castle is a ruined castle near Randalstown in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. The castle is on the north-east shores of Lough Neagh. Built in 1345 by a member of the O'Neill dynasty, it was originally called Eden-duff-carrick...
, County Antrim
County Antrim
County Antrim is one of six counties that form Northern Ireland, situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland. Adjoined to the north-east shore of Lough Neagh, the county covers an area of 2,844 km², with a population of approximately 616,000...
, Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
, and educated at Eton College
Eton College
Eton College, often referred to simply as Eton, is a British independent school for boys aged 13 to 18. It was founded in 1440 by King Henry VI as "The King's College of Our Lady of Eton besides Wyndsor"....
before joining Christ Church, Oxford
Christ Church, Oxford
Christ Church or house of Christ, and thus sometimes known as The House), is one of the largest constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in England...
on 23 November 1795. He became the second Viscount O'Neill in 1798 after the death of his father and then the first Earl O'Neill
Earl O'Neill
Viscount O'Neill was a title in the Peerage of Ireland. It was created in 1795 for John O'Neill, who had earlier represented Randalstown and County Antrim in the Irish House of Commons. He had already been created Baron O'Neill, of Shane's Castle in the County of Antrim, in 1793, also in the...
in 1800 after the Act of Union
Act of Union 1800
The Acts of Union 1800 describe two complementary Acts, namely:* the Union with Ireland Act 1800 , an Act of the Parliament of Great Britain, and...
, when it was decided that O'Neill should have precedence in the Irish peerage. After the passing of the act he was elected as one of the 28 Irish peers allowed to sit in the House of Lords
House of Lords
The House of Lords is the upper house of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. Like the House of Commons, it meets in the Palace of Westminster....
in September 1800. In 1807 he was appointed one of the joint Postmasters General of Ireland
Postmasters General of Ireland
The Postmasters General of Ireland, held by two people simultaneously, was a new appointment set up as part of the establishment of the Irish Post Office independent from that of Great Britain, by the Act 23, 24 George III in 1784. The post lasted nearly fifty years...
along with Richard Trench, 2nd Earl of Clancarty and in 1809 with Laurence Parsons, 2nd Earl of Rosse
Laurence Parsons, 2nd Earl of Rosse
Lawrence Parsons, 2nd Earl of Rosse , known as Sir Lawrence Parsons, Bt, from 1791 to 1807, was an Irish peer....
; in practice this was merely an honorary appointment, with the Post Office secretary (Sir Edward Lees) doing much of the work. He was made a member of the Order of St. Patrick
Order of St. Patrick
The Most Illustrious Order of Saint Patrick is a British order of chivalry associated with Ireland. The Order was created in 1783 by George III. The regular creation of knights of Saint Patrick lasted until 1921, when most of Ireland became independent as the Irish Free State...
on 13 February 1809 and Lord Lieutenant of Antrim
Lord Lieutenant of Antrim
This is a list of people who have served as Lord-Lieutenant of Antrim. The office was created on 23 August 1831.*Charles O'Neill, 1st Earl O'Neill 17 October 1831 – 25 March 1841*George Chichester, 3rd Marquess of Donegall 24 April 1841 – 20 October 1883...
on 17 October 1831. He died on 25 March 1841 with no heirs; as such the earldom became extinct and the viscountcy transferred to his younger brother John O'Neill, 3rd Viscount O'Neill.