Patrick Joseph O'Brien (MP)
Encyclopedia
Patrick Joseph O'Brien was Irish Nationalist Member of Parliament for North Tipperary
, 1885-1906.
He was the only son of James O'Brien of Nenagh, Co. Tipperary, and of Bridget, daughter of John Gunning Regan. He was educated at local schools and became a hotel proprietor. In 1878 he married Bridget, daughter of Denis Hayes of Ballintoher, Nenagh. He was chairman of the Nenagh Town Commissioners, 1880-87 and 1890-91, and first Catholic Chairman of the Nenagh Board of Guardians, 1885-99. In 1882 he was arrested as a suspect and confined in Naas gaol. Later he was a County Councillor, and Chairman of the District Council, 1899-1900.
He was elected to represent the new seat of North Tipperary, in which Nenagh was situated, in 1885, defeating the Conservative candidate by a margin of 19 to one. He was then returned unopposed in 1886. When the Irish Parliamentary Party split over the leadership of Charles Stewart Parnell
in December 1890, O'Brien joined the Anti-Parnellites. In the 1892 general election he was opposed by a Unionist candidate but won by a margin of almost nine to one. Thereafter he was returned unopposed for North Tipperary until he retired at the general election of 1906 owing to failing eyesight. He died on 10 January 1911.
He should not be confused with the better-known Pat O'Brien
, who was M.P. for North Monaghan (1886-1892) and Kilkenny City (1895-1917).
The Times (London), 11 January 1911
Brian M. Walker (ed.), Parliamentary Election Results in Ireland, 1801-1922, Dublin, Royal Irish Academy, 1978
North Tipperary (UK Parliament constituency)
North Tipperary was a UK Parliament constituency in Ireland, returning one Member of Parliament 1885–1922.This constituency comprised the northern part of County Tipperary. Prior to the United Kingdom general election, 1885 the area was part of the Tipperary...
, 1885-1906.
He was the only son of James O'Brien of Nenagh, Co. Tipperary, and of Bridget, daughter of John Gunning Regan. He was educated at local schools and became a hotel proprietor. In 1878 he married Bridget, daughter of Denis Hayes of Ballintoher, Nenagh. He was chairman of the Nenagh Town Commissioners, 1880-87 and 1890-91, and first Catholic Chairman of the Nenagh Board of Guardians, 1885-99. In 1882 he was arrested as a suspect and confined in Naas gaol. Later he was a County Councillor, and Chairman of the District Council, 1899-1900.
He was elected to represent the new seat of North Tipperary, in which Nenagh was situated, in 1885, defeating the Conservative candidate by a margin of 19 to one. He was then returned unopposed in 1886. When the Irish Parliamentary Party split over the leadership of Charles Stewart Parnell
Charles Stewart Parnell
Charles Stewart Parnell was an Irish landowner, nationalist political leader, land reform agitator, and the founder and leader of the Irish Parliamentary Party...
in December 1890, O'Brien joined the Anti-Parnellites. In the 1892 general election he was opposed by a Unionist candidate but won by a margin of almost nine to one. Thereafter he was returned unopposed for North Tipperary until he retired at the general election of 1906 owing to failing eyesight. He died on 10 January 1911.
He should not be confused with the better-known Pat O'Brien
Pat O'Brien (Irish politician)
Patrick O'Brien , generally known as Pat, was Irish Nationalist MP in the House Of Commons of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and as member of the Irish Parliamentary Party represented North Monaghan and Kilkenny City . He was Chief Whip of the Irish Party from 1907 until his...
, who was M.P. for North Monaghan (1886-1892) and Kilkenny City (1895-1917).
Sources
Michael Stenton and Stephen Lees, Who’s Who of British Members of Parliament, Vol.2 1886-1918, Sussex, Harvester Press, 1978The Times (London), 11 January 1911
Brian M. Walker (ed.), Parliamentary Election Results in Ireland, 1801-1922, Dublin, Royal Irish Academy, 1978