County Kerry was a UK Parliament constituency in Ireland, returning two Members of Parliament. In 1885, it was divided into four constituencies.
History County Kerry had been represented by two seats in the Irish House of Commons. From 1801, under the Acts of Union 1800, it was represented by two MPs in the United Kingdom House of Commons. It comprised the whole of County Kerry, except for the borough of Tralee. The boroughs of Ardfert and Dingle were disfranchised in 1801.
Under the Redistribution of Seats Act 1885, Tralee lost its separate franchise and the county was divided into four divisions: East Kerry, North Kerry, South Kerry and West Kerry.
Members of Parliament Year1st Member1st Party2nd Member2nd Party 1801 James Crosbie Maurice Fitzgerald Whig 1806 Henry Arthur Herbert (1756–1821) 1812 James Crosbie 1826 William Hare(Viscount Ennismore from 1827) Whig 1830 William Browne Whig Tory 1831 Frederick Mullins Repeal Association Daniel O'Connell Repeal Association 1832 Charles O'Connell Repeal Association 1835 Morgan John O'Connell Repeal Association 1837 Arthur Blennerhassett Conservative 1841 William BrowneWhig 1847 Henry Arthur Herbert (1815–66) Peelite 1852 Valentine Browne(Viscount Castlerosse from 1853) Whig 1859Liberal Liberal 1866 by-election Henry Arthur Herbert (1840–1901) Liberal 1872 by-election Rowland Blennerhassett Home Rule League 1880 Sir Rowland Blennerhassett, 4th Bt Liberal Party
Elections Elections in the 1830s FitzGerald was appointed as Vice-Treasurer of Ireland, causing a by-election.
Elections in the 1840s
Elections in the 1850s
Browne was appointed Comptroller of the Household, requiring a by-election.
Herbert was appointed Chief Secretary for Ireland, requiring a by-election.
Browne was appointed Treasurer of the Household, requiring a by-election.
Elections in the 1860s
Herbert's death caused a by-election.
Browne was appointed Vice-Chamberlain of the Household, requiring a by-election.
Elections in the 1870s Browne succeeded as Earl of Kenmare, causing a by-election.
Elections in the 1880s
References
The Parliaments of England by Henry Stooks Smith (1st edition published in three volumes 1844–50), 2nd edition edited (in one volume) by F. W. S. Craig (Political Reference Publications, 1973)