In Ireland, there are national heroes who can’t be ignored. And Daniel O’Connell is one of them! Nicknamed “The Liberator”, or “the King without a crown”, Daniel O’Connell (1775-1847) was an Irish Catholic lawyer who was deeply committed to the struggle for Irish independence. A great pacifist, this Irishman fought throughout his life to put an end to the social and religious divisions in force in his time in Ireland (during the anti-Catholic segregation introduced by the English colonists). By repealing certain anti-Catholic measures, he became a key figure in the Irish nationalist struggle. Such was his work that Dublin’s main avenue now bears his name: “O’Connell Street”. A consecration!
Daniel O’Connell – Public Domain
Daniel O’Connell was born into a wealthy family on August 6, 1775.
Under the tutelage of his uncle, Maurice O’Connell, Daniel studied brilliantly and decided to go into law. He began to take a keen interest in politics, and was officially admitted to the bar in 1798.
He took a close interest in the discrimination suffered by the Irish Catholic class.
It was at this time that Ireland bore the brunt of theAct of Union, signed 30 years earlier in 1801, which formalized Ireland’s membership of the United Kingdom. During these years, the British voluntarily forbade Irish Catholics to vote, stand for Parliament or even own arms or a horse. This anti-Catholic segregation was a ploy to extend British influence over Irish territory, and weaken the civil rights of the local population.
Outraged by the situation, Daniel O’Connell is convinced that there is a non-violent way to achieve Irish independence and Catholic emancipation.
He then wanted to enter the Irish political arena, in order to use the British criminal justice system to win his case. And without having to resort to violence.
In 1810, he founded the Catholic Association, an organization designed to raise public awareness of the Catholic cause. To operate, Daniel O’Connell asks his members for a monthly fee of just 1 penny, which attracts countless members and makes the association a success. With the funds raised, the association worked to promote emancipation and help the poorest of the poor.
By this time, Daniel O’Connell was already an influential politician, with considerable popularity in the Catholic community. Not wanting to stop there, he ran for the seat of County Clare in the House of Commons. He won the vote hands down, but encountered a major difficulty. To enter the House of Commons, he had to swear an oath of allegiance to George IV, King of England and Supreme Head of the Anglican Church. Faced with such a request, Daniel O’Connell categorically refused to take the oath of office, and therefore did not enter the House of Commons.
It was then that the Duke of Wellington (Prime Minister) and Robert Peel (Home Secretary), asked the King of England to make an exception, and accept O’Connell, so as not to aggravate the delicate situation in Ireland, and encourage a new rebellion.
Uniquely, Georges IV agreed to admit to the Chamber any member of the Christian faith, whether Catholic, atheist or other. This law was passed in 1829, and criticized at length by its detractors. O’Connell, for his part, is praised and acclaimed by the entire Catholic community for his struggle and courage.
Royal coat of arms after the Act of Union
In 1841, O’Connell was elected Dublin’s first Catholic mayor. A first that is not to the taste of the British! He tried to abolish the tithe, a kind of tax paid by workers, which was then donated to the Anglican Church. He succeeds.
He then attacked theAct of Union, a text dating from 1801 which set out the various terms binding Ireland to Great Britain. He founded theRepeal Association, calling for Irish independence and the conversion of Queen Victoria to Queen of Ireland.
To promote this idea, he went on a political tour of Ireland in 1844 to raise awareness of his cause. Nevertheless, O’Connell’s meetings were of a rare magnitude, and greatly disturbed the British government, which decided to ban such gatherings. Still convinced that the pacifist path was the best option, O’Connell decided to cancel the final meetings, but was imprisoned anyway.
Following his imprisonment, his association gradually disintegrated, and the Irish no longer followed him. In particular, many decide to fight back violently.
When Daniel O’Connell is released from prison, he’s very tired and emaciated. He died a few months later, in 1847, of cardiovascular disease, at the age of 71. He was in Italy at the time, on a religious pilgrimage. His head was buried in Rome, while the rest of his body was interred in Dublin’s Glasnevin cemetery. In tribute, Dublin’s main avenue was renamed “O’Connell Street” in the 20th century. There’s a statue of him there, as well as one of Charles Stewart Parnell, another politician who served the same interests as Daniel O’Connell.
