Timothy Daniel Sullivan
Encyclopedia
Timothy Daniel Sullivan (29 May 1827 - 31 March 1914) was an Irish
nationalist
, journalist
, politician
and poet
who wrote the Irish national hymn "God Save Ireland
", in 1867. He was born at Bantry
, County Cork
.
, supporting Charles Stewart Parnell
in the 1880 general election
, being "convinced that without self-government there could never be peace, prosperity or contentment in Ireland". He joined the Irish Parliamentary Party
when it was established in 1882. When the party split in 1891 he became an Anti-Parnellite
until the Nationalist factions were reunited in 1900.
Sullivan represented a number of constituencies in the House of Commons of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland
. He was elected from Westmeath
in 1880 and served until 1885. He then became the first MP
from Dublin College Green
until he was defeated by a Pro-Parnellite in the 1892 general election
. Four days later he was returned unopposed for West Donegal
which he represented until he retired in 1900.
He was Lord Mayor of Dublin
in 1886 and 1887.
, Dublin Weekly News and Young Ireland). In December 1887 he published reports of meetings by the National League
. As a result he was convicted and imprisoned for two months under the Crimes Act
.
As well as writing the Irish national hymn "God Save Ireland
", he wrote the adopted anthem of the All-for-Ireland League
: "All for Ireland ! One for all ! and popular pieces such as "Song from the Backwoods" and "Michael Dwyer".
from 1936 to 1946. His daughter Frances was an Irish-language activist in Craobh an Chéitinnigh, the Keating branch of the Gaelic League (Conradh na Gaelige) and a lecturer in Irish. His daughter Anne (who had sixteen children) was the mother of politician Kevin O'Higgins
, one of the dominant political figures of the 1920s. His great-grandson Thomas O'Higgins was Chief Justice from 1974 to 1985.
The Nationalist historian Alexander Martin Sullivan
was his brother.
Irish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
nationalist
Irish nationalism
Irish nationalism manifests itself in political and social movements and in sentiment inspired by a love for Irish culture, language and history, and as a sense of pride in Ireland and in the Irish people...
, journalist
Journalist
A journalist collects and distributes news and other information. A journalist's work is referred to as journalism.A reporter is a type of journalist who researchs, writes, and reports on information to be presented in mass media, including print media , electronic media , and digital media A...
, politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
and poet
Poet
A poet is a person who writes poetry. A poet's work can be literal, meaning that his work is derived from a specific event, or metaphorical, meaning that his work can take on many meanings and forms. Poets have existed since antiquity, in nearly all languages, and have produced works that vary...
who wrote the Irish national hymn "God Save Ireland
God Save Ireland
"God Save Ireland" is an Irish rebel song. It served as an unofficial Irish national anthem for Irish nationalists from the 1870s to the 1910s. During the Parnellite split it was the anthem of the anti-Parnellite Irish National Federation....
", in 1867. He was born at Bantry
Bantry
Bantry is a town on the coast of County Cork, Ireland. It lies on the N71 national secondary road at the head of Bantry Bay, a deep-water gulf extending for 30 km to the west...
, County Cork
County Cork
County Cork is a county in Ireland. It is located in the South-West Region and is also part of the province of Munster. It is named after the city of Cork . Cork County Council is the local authority for the county...
.
Politician
He was a member of the Home Rule LeagueHome Rule League
The Home Rule League, sometimes called the Home Rule Party, was a political party which campaigned for home rule for the country of Ireland from 1873 to 1882, when it was replaced by the Irish Parliamentary Party.-Origins:...
, supporting 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 the 1880 general election
United Kingdom general election, 1880
-Seats summary:-References:*F. W. S. Craig, British Electoral Facts: 1832-1987* British Electoral Facts 1832-1999, compiled and edited by Colin Rallings and Michael Thrasher *...
, being "convinced that without self-government there could never be peace, prosperity or contentment in Ireland". He joined the Irish Parliamentary Party
Irish Parliamentary Party
The Irish Parliamentary Party was formed in 1882 by Charles Stewart Parnell, the leader of the Nationalist Party, replacing the Home Rule League, as official parliamentary party for Irish nationalist Members of Parliament elected to the House of Commons at...
when it was established in 1882. When the party split in 1891 he became an Anti-Parnellite
Irish National Federation
The Irish National Federation was a nationalist political party in Ireland. It was founded in March 1891 by former members of the Irish National League who had left the Irish Parliamentary Party in protest when Charles Stewart Parnell refused to resign the party leadership as a result of his...
until the Nationalist factions were reunited in 1900.
Sullivan represented a number of constituencies in the House of Commons of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland was the formal name of the United Kingdom during the period when what is now the Republic of Ireland formed a part of it....
. He was elected from Westmeath
Westmeath (UK Parliament constituency)
Westmeath is a former UK Parliament constituency in Ireland, returning two Members of Parliament 1801–1885 and one in 1918–1922.-Boundaries:This constituency comprised the whole of County Westmeath, except for the Parliamentary borough of Athlone 1801–1885....
in 1880 and served until 1885. He then became the first MP
Member of Parliament
A Member of Parliament is a representative of the voters to a :parliament. In many countries with bicameral parliaments, the term applies specifically to members of the lower house, as upper houses often have a different title, such as senate, and thus also have different titles for its members,...
from Dublin College Green
Dublin College Green (UK Parliament constituency)
College Green, a division of Dublin, was a UK parliamentary constituency in Ireland. It returned one Member of Parliament to the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom from 1885 to 1922.-Boundaries and boundary changes:...
until he was defeated by a Pro-Parnellite in the 1892 general election
United Kingdom general election, 1892
The 1892 United Kingdom general election was held from 4 July to 26 July 1892. It saw the Conservatives, led by Lord Salisbury, win the greatest number of seats, but not enough for an overall majority as William Ewart Gladstone's Liberals won many more seats than in the 1886 general election...
. Four days later he was returned unopposed for West Donegal
West Donegal (UK Parliament constituency)
West Donegal was a UK Parliament constituency in Ireland, returning one Member of Parliament 1885–1922.Prior to the United Kingdom general election, 1885 the area was part of the Donegal constituency. From 1922 it was not represented in the UK Parliament....
which he represented until he retired in 1900.
He was Lord Mayor of Dublin
Lord Mayor of Dublin
The Lord Mayor of Dublin is the honorific title of the Chairman of Dublin City Council which is the local government body for the city of Dublin, the capital of Ireland. The incumbent is Labour Party Councillor Andrew Montague. The office holder is elected annually by the members of the...
in 1886 and 1887.
Publicist
He owned and edited a number of publications (The NationThe Nation (Irish newspaper)
The Nation was an Irish nationalist weekly newspaper, published in the 19th century. The Nation was printed first at 12 Trinity Street, Dublin, on 15 October 1842, until 6 January 1844...
, Dublin Weekly News and Young Ireland). In December 1887 he published reports of meetings by the National League
National League (Ireland, 1882)
The Irish National League was a nationalist political party in Ireland. It was founded in October 1882 by Charles Stewart Parnell as the successor to the Irish National Land League after this was suppressed...
. As a result he was convicted and imprisoned for two months under the Crimes Act
Irish Coercion Act
The Protection of Person and Property Act 1881 was one of more than 100 Coercion Acts passed by the Parliament of United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland between 1801 and 1922, in an attempt to establish law and order in Ireland. The 1881 Act was passed by parliament and introduced by...
.
As well as writing the Irish national hymn "God Save Ireland
God Save Ireland
"God Save Ireland" is an Irish rebel song. It served as an unofficial Irish national anthem for Irish nationalists from the 1870s to the 1910s. During the Parnellite split it was the anthem of the anti-Parnellite Irish National Federation....
", he wrote the adopted anthem of the All-for-Ireland League
All-for-Ireland League
The All-for-Ireland League , was an Irish, Munster-based political party . Founded by William O'Brien MP, it generated a new national movement to achieve agreement between the different parties concerned on the historically difficult aim of Home Rule for the whole of Ireland...
: "All for Ireland ! One for all ! and popular pieces such as "Song from the Backwoods" and "Michael Dwyer".
Family
A number of his descendants were people of outstanding distinction. His son Timothy was Chief Justice of IrelandChief Justice of Ireland
The Chief Justice of Ireland is the president of the Supreme Court of Ireland.Under Constitution of Ireland, the Chief Justice of Ireland also occupies several positions ex officio, these include;* A possible judge of the High Court....
from 1936 to 1946. His daughter Frances was an Irish-language activist in Craobh an Chéitinnigh, the Keating branch of the Gaelic League (Conradh na Gaelige) and a lecturer in Irish. His daughter Anne (who had sixteen children) was the mother of politician Kevin O'Higgins
Kevin O'Higgins
Kevin Christopher O'Higgins was an Irish politician who served as Vice-President of the Executive Council and Minister for Justice. He was part of early nationalist Sinn Féin, before going on to become a prominent member of Cumann na nGaedheal. O'Higgins initiated the An Garda Síochána police force...
, one of the dominant political figures of the 1920s. His great-grandson Thomas O'Higgins was Chief Justice from 1974 to 1985.
The Nationalist historian Alexander Martin Sullivan
Alexander Martin Sullivan
Alexander Martin Sullivan was an Irish politician, lawyer and journalist from Bantry, County Cork.He was the son of Daniel and Ann Sullivan, and brother to Timothy Daniel Sullivan, who was Lord Mayor of Dublin from 1886 to 1888....
was his brother.
Further reading
- 1911 census return.
- Who's Who of British Members of Parliament: Vol. II 1886-1918, edited by M. Stenton & S. Lees (The Harvester Press 1978)
- Parliamentary Election Results in Ireland 1801-1922, edited by B.M. Walker (Royal Irish Academy 1978)
External links
- Dunboy, and Other Poems by Timothy Daniel O'Sullivan. Fowler, Dublin. 1861
- Irish National Poems, Timothy Daniel O'Sullivan (Ed.) Gill & Sons, Dublin, 1911