Nicholas Lynch (politician)

Nicholas Lynch (1827-29 July 1900) was an Irish politician and businessman who served as Member of Parliament for County Sligo in 1883–1885, as a member of the Irish Parliamentary Party.

Nicholas Lynch
Member of Parliament for County Sligo
In office
1883-1885
Personal details
Born1827 (1827)
Dublin, Ireland
Died29 July 1900 (aged 72–73)
Dublin, Ireland
Political partyIrish Parliamentary Party

Life

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Lynch was born in Dublin in 1827, the son of Thomas Lynch.[1]

Lynch was elected to represent Sligo in August 1883 following the death of the incumbent, Denis Maurice O'Conor, with 1545 votes against 983 for the Conservative candidate. He did not stand for re-election in 1885, when the county was split into two seats.[2] Tim Healy characterised Lynch in his memoirs as "a wealthy man, who, on the hustings or in the House of Commons, was unable to open his mouth".[3]

Lynch was a director of the Hibernian Bank, and following the default of the Munster Bank in 1885 successfully mobilised the Irish Parliamentary Party to move in support of the Hibernian by threatening to arrange a boycott of Bank of Ireland notes, with what Healy noted as an " eloquent and moving" speech to the Party meeting.[3] He resigned his directorship of the Hibernian Bank in 1886.[4]

In his later years he was not politically active. He died in Rathmines, Dublin on 29 July 1900.[5] He left bequests of around £20,000 to charitable causes, primarily religious and educational institutions in Dublin.[6]

References

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  1. ^ M. Stenton, ed. (1976). Who's Who of British Members of Parliament: Volume I 1832-1885. Harvester Press. p. 247.
  2. ^ Walker, B.M., ed. (1978). Parliamentary Election Results in Ireland, 1801-1922. Dublin: Royal Irish Academy. pp. 129, 135. ISBN 0901714127.
  3. ^ a b Healy, T.M. (1891) Letters and Leaders of My Day, vol 1, p. 217
  4. ^ "The Hibernian Bank (Limited)". Irish Times. 23 January 1886.
  5. ^ "Death of Mr Nicholas Lynch". Dublin Daily Nation. 31 July 1900.
  6. ^ "Munificent bequests to Dublin institutions". Irish News and Belfast Morning News. 21 September 1900.
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