The Redistribution of Seats (Ireland) Act 1918 (7 & 8 Geo. 5. c. 65) was an Act passed by the Parliament of the United Kingdom which redistributed the parliamentary constituencies in Ireland for the House of Commons. It was enacted on the same day as the Representation of the People Act 1918 which extended the franchise throughout the United Kingdom.
 | |
| Long title | An Act to provide for the Redistribution of Seats at Parliamentary Elections in Ireland and for purposes connected therewith. |
|---|---|
| Citation | 7 & 8 Geo. 5. c. 65 |
| Dates | |
| Royal assent | 6 February 1918 |
Status: Repealed | |
This Act replaced the distribution of seats which had been enacted by the Redistribution of Seats Act 1885 (48 & 49 Vict. c. 23) and had been in use since the general election of that year. The number of seats was increased from 103 to 105 (and the number of constituencies increased from 101 to 103) with the enfranchisement of two additional universities. The revision was based on a report of a Boundary Commission carried out in 1917 taking population changes in the 1911 census into account. It also followed administrative county boundaries, which in some cases had been altered under the Local Government (Ireland) Act 1898 (or in the case of Dublin, shortly after).[1]
The new constituencies came into effect at the 1918 general election. Sinn Féin had adopted an abstentionist policy since its foundation, and none of its MPs elected in by-elections prior to this election had taken their seats. In its election manifesto, it called for the establishment of an assembly "comprising persons chosen by Irish constituencies as the supreme national authority to speak and act in the name of the Irish people", which would become the revolutionary Dáil Éireann. The First Dáil met in January 1919 and made a Declaration of Independence of the Irish Republic.
The constituencies in the 1918 Act were superseded by those in the Government of Ireland Act 1920, which created two home rule parliaments in Ireland and reduced the Irish seats at Westminster from 105 to 46.[2] The seats designated in the 1920 Act for the Southern Ireland House of Commons and the Northern Ireland House of Commons were used as the 1921 election to the Second Dáil. The seats designated for Westminster in the 1920 Act would only apply in the six counties of Northern Ireland which remained part of the UK, taking effect at the 1922 general election.[3] The remaining twenty-six Irish counties became the Irish Free State on 6 December 1922, ceasing to be part of the United Kingdom.
Redistributed seats
edit
AntrimeditRepresentation increased from 8 to 13 MPs | ||
| Boroughs | ||
|---|---|---|
| 1885 Act | Change | 1918 Act |
| Belfast, East Division (1 MP) | Boundaries extended to include entire county borough. Divided into nine single-member divisions. |
Belfast, Cromac Division (1 MP) |
| Belfast, Duncairn Division (1 MP) | ||
| Belfast, North Division (1 MP) | Belfast, Falls Division (1 MP) | |
| Belfast, Ormeau Division (1 MP) | ||
| Belfast, Pottinger Division (1 MP) | ||
| Belfast, South Division (1 MP) | Belfast, St. Anne's Division (1 MP) | |
| Belfast, Shankill Division (1 MP) | ||
| Belfast, West Division (1 MP) | Belfast, Victoria Division (1 MP) | |
| Belfast, Woodvale Division (1 MP) | ||
| County Divisions | ||
| 1885 Act | Change | 1918 Act |
| Antrim, East Division (1 MP) | Boundaries of parliamentary county altered to align with administrative county. | Antrim, East Division (1 MP) |
| Antrim, Mid Division (1 MP) | Antrim, Mid Division (1 MP) | |
| Antrim, North Division (1 MP) | Antrim, North Division (1 MP) | |
| Antrim, South Division (1 MP) | Antrim, South Division (1 MP) | |
ArmagheditRepresentation unchanged (3 MPs) | ||
| County Divisions | ||
| 1885 Act | Change | 1918 Act |
| Armagh, Mid Division (1 MP) | Boundaries of parliamentary county altered to align with administrative county. | Armagh, Mid Division (1 MP) |
| Armagh, North Division (1 MP) | Armagh, North Division (1 MP) | |
| Armagh, South Division (1 MP) | Armagh, South Division (1 MP) | |
CarloweditRepresentation unchanged (1 MP) | ||
| County Division | ||
| 1885 Act | Change | 1918 Act |
| County Carlow (1 MP) | No change. | County Carlow (1 MP) |
CavaneditRepresentation unchanged (2 MPs) | ||
| County Divisions | ||
| 1885 Act | Change | 1918 Act |
| Cavan, East Division (1 MP) | No change. | Cavan, East Division (1 MP) |
| Cavan, West Division (1 MP) | Cavan, West Division (1 MP) | |
ClareeditRepresentation unchanged (2 MPs) | ||
| County Divisions | ||
| 1885 Act | Change | 1918 Act |
| Clare, East Division (1 MP) | Boundaries of parliamentary county altered to align with administrative county. | Clare, East Division (1 MP) |
| Clare, West Division (1 MP) | Clare, West Division (1 MP) | |
CorkeditRepresentation unchanged (9 MPs) | ||
| Boroughs | ||
| 1885 Act | Change | 1918 Act |
| Cork City (2 MPs) | No change | Cork City (2 MPs) |
| County Divisions | ||
| 1885 Act | Change | 1918 Act |
| Cork, East Division (1 MP) | No change. | Cork, East Division (1 MP) |
| Cork, Mid Division (1 MP) | Cork, Mid Division (1 MP) | |
| Cork, North Division (1 MP) | Cork, North Division (1 MP) | |
| Cork, North East Division (1 MP) | Cork, North East Division (1 MP) | |
| Cork, South Division (1 MP) | Cork, South Division (1 MP) | |
| Cork, South East Division (1 MP) | Cork, South East Division (1 MP) | |
| Cork, West Division (1 MP) | Cork, West Division (1 MP) | |
DonegaleditRepresentation unchanged (4 MPs) | ||
| County Divisions | ||
| 1885 Act | Change | 1918 Act |
| Donegal, East Division (1 MP) | No change. | Donegal, East Division (1 MP) |
| Donegal, North Division (1 MP) | Donegal, North Division (1 MP) | |
| Donegal, South Division (1 MP) | Donegal, South Division (1 MP) | |
| Donegal, West Division (1 MP) | Donegal, West Division (1 MP) | |
DowneditRepresentation unchanged (5 MPs) | ||
| Boroughs | ||
| 1885 Act | Change | 1918 Act |
| Newry (1 MP) | Abolished. | |
| County Divisions | ||
| 1885 Act | Change | 1918 Act |
| Down, East Division (1 MP) | Boundaries of parliamentary county altered to align with administrative county. The parliamentary borough of Newry was absorbed into South Down. Divided into five single-member divisions. |
Down, East Division (1 MP) |
| Down, North Division (1 MP) | Down, Mid Division (1 MP) | |
| Down, North Division (1 MP) | ||
| Down, South Division (1 MP) | Down, South Division (1 MP) | |
| Down, West Division (1 MP) | Down, West Division (1 MP) | |
DublineditRepresentation increased from 6 to 11 MPs | ||
| County Divisions | ||
| 1885 Act | Change | 1918 Act |
| County Dublin, North Division (1 MP) | Boundaries of parliamentary county altered to align with administrative county. Divided into four single-member divisions. |
County Dublin, North Division (1 MP) |
| County Dublin, Pembroke Division (1 MP) | ||
| County Dublin, South Division (1 MP) | County Dublin, Rathmines Division (1 MP) | |
| County Dublin, South Division (1 MP) | ||
| Boroughs | ||
| Before 1885 | Change | After 1885 |
| Dublin, College Green Division (1 MP) | Boundaries extended to include entire county borough. Divided into seven single-member divisions. |
Dublin, Clontarf Division (1 MP) |
| Dublin, College Green Division (1 MP) | ||
| Dublin, Dublin Harbour Division (1 MP) | Dublin, Dublin Harbour Division (1 MP) | |
| Dublin, St James's Division (1 MP) | ||
| Dublin, St Patrick's Division (1 MP) | Dublin, St Michan's Division (1 MP) | |
| Dublin, St Patrick's Division (1 MP) | ||
| Dublin, St Stephen's Green Division (1 MP) | Dublin, St Stephen's Green Division (1 MP) | |
FermanagheditRepresentation unchanged (2 MPs) | ||
| County Divisions | ||
| 1885 Act | Change | 1918 Act |
| Fermanagh, North Division (1 MP) | No change. | Fermanagh, North Division (1 MP) |
| Fermanagh, South Division (1 MP) | Fermanagh, South Division (1 MP) | |
GalwayeditRepresentation reduced from 5 to 4 MPs | ||
| Boroughs | ||
| 1885 Act | Change | 1918 Act |
| Galway Borough (1 MP) | Abolished. | |
| County Divisions | ||
| 1885 Act | Change | 1918 Act |
| Galway, Connemara Division (1 MP) | Boundaries of parliamentary county altered to align with administrative county. The parliamentary borough of Galway was absorbed into Galway Connemara. Divided into four single-member divisions. |
Galway, Connemara Division (1 MP) |
| Galway, East Division (1 MP) | Galway, East Division (1 MP) | |
| Galway, North Division (1 MP) | Galway, North Division (1 MP) | |
| Galway, South Division (1 MP) | Galway, South Division (1 MP) | |
KerryeditRepresentation unchanged (4 MPs) | ||
| County Divisions | ||
| 1885 Act | Change | 1918 Act |
| Kerry, East Division (1 MP) | No change. | Kerry, East Division (1 MP) |
| Kerry, North Division (1 MP) | Kerry, North Division (1 MP) | |
| Kerry, South Division (1 MP) | Kerry, South Division (1 MP) | |
| Kerry, West Division (1 MP) | Kerry, West Division (1 MP) | |
KildareeditRepresentation unchanged (2 MPs) | ||
| County Divisions | ||
| 1885 Act | Change | 1918 Act |
| Kildare, North Division (1 MP) | No change. | Kildare, North Division (1 MP) |
| Kildare, South Division (1 MP) | Kildare, South Division (1 MP) | |
KilkennyeditRepresentation reduced from 3 to 2 MPs | ||
| Boroughs | ||
| 1885 Act | Change | 1918 Act |
| Kilkenny City (1 MP) | Abolished. | |
| County Divisions | ||
| 1885 Act | Change | 1918 Act |
| Kilkenny, North Division (1 MP) | Boundaries of parliamentary county altered to align with administrative county. The parliamentary borough of Kilkenny was absorbed into North Kilkenny. Divided into two single-member divisions. |
Kilkenny, North Division (1 MP) |
| Kilkenny, South Division (1 MP) | Kilkenny, South Division (1 MP) | |
King's CountyeditRepresentation reduced from 2 to 1 MP | ||
| County Divisions | ||
| 1885 Act | Change | 1918 Act |
| King's County, Birr Division (1 MP) | Undivided parliamentary county returned one MP. | King's County (1 MP) |
| King's County, Tullamore Division (1 MP) | ||
LeitrimeditRepresentation reduced from 2 to 1 MP | ||
| County Divisions | ||
| 1885 Act | Change | 1918 Act |
| Leitrim, North Division (1 MP) | Undivided parliamentary county returned one MP. | Leitrim (1 MP) |
| Leitrim, South Division (1 MP) | ||
LimerickeditRepresentation unchanged (3 MPs) | ||
| Boroughs | ||
| 1885 Act | Change | 1918 Act |
| Limerick City (1 MP) | No change. | Limerick City (1 MP) |
| County Divisions | ||
| 1885 Act | Change | 1918 Act |
| Limerick, East Division (1 MP) | No change. | Limerick, East Division (1 MP) |
| Limerick, West Division (1 MP) | Limerick, West Division (1 MP) | |
LondonderryeditRepresentation unchanged (3 MPs) | ||
| Boroughs | ||
| 1885 Act | Change | 1918 Act |
| Londonderry City (1 MP) | No change. | Londonderry City (1 MP) |
| County Divisions | ||
| 1885 Act | Change | 1918 Act |
| Londonderry, North Division (1 MP) | No change. | Londonderry, North Division (1 MP) |
| Londonderry, South Division (1 MP) | Londonderry, South Division (1 MP) | |
LongfordeditRepresentation reduced from 2 to 1 MP | ||
| County Divisions | ||
| 1885 Act | Change | 1918 Act |
| Longford, North Division (1 MP) | Undivided parliamentary county returned one MP. | Longford (1 MP) |
| Longford, South Division (1 MP) | ||
LoutheditRepresentation reduced from 2 to 1 MP | ||
| County Divisions | ||
| 1885 Act | Change | 1918 Act |
| Louth, North Division (1 MP) | Undivided parliamentary county returned one MP. | Louth (1 MP) |
| Louth, South Division (1 MP) | ||
MayoeditRepresentation unchanged (4 MPs) | ||
| County Divisions | ||
| 1885 Act | Change | 1918 Act |
| Mayo, East Division (1 MP) | Boundaries of parliamentary county altered to align with administrative county. | Mayo, East Division (1 MP) |
| Mayo, North Division (1 MP) | Mayo, North Division (1 MP) | |
| Mayo, South Division (1 MP) | Mayo, South Division (1 MP) | |
| Mayo, West Division (1 MP) | Mayo, West Division (1 MP) | |
MeatheditRepresentation unchanged (2 MPs) | ||
| County Divisions | ||
| 1885 Act | Change | 1918 Act |
| Meath, North Division (1 MP) | No change. | Meath, North Division (1 MP) |
| Meath, South Division (1 MP) | Meath, South Division (1 MP) | |
MonaghaneditRepresentation unchanged (2 MPs) | ||
| County Divisions | ||
| 1885 Act | Change | 1918 Act |
| Monaghan, North Division (1 MP) | No change. | Monaghan, North Division (1 MP) |
| Monaghan, South Division (1 MP) | Monaghan, South Division (1 MP) | |
Queen's CountyeditRepresentation reduced from 2 to 1 MP | ||
| County Divisions | ||
| 1885 Act | Change | 1918 Act |
| Queen's County, Leix Division (1 MP) | Undivided parliamentary county returned one MP. | Queen's County (1 MP) |
| Queen's County, Ossory Division (1 MP) | ||
RoscommoneditRepresentation unchanged (2 MPs) | ||
| County Divisions | ||
| 1885 Act | Change | 1918 Act |
| Roscommon, North Division (1 MP) | Boundaries of parliamentary county altered to align with administrative county. | Roscommon, North Division (1 MP) |
| Roscommon, South Division (1 MP) | Roscommon, South Division (1 MP) | |
SligoeditRepresentation unchanged (2 MPs) | ||
| County Divisions | ||
| 1885 Act | Change | 1918 Act |
| Sligo, North Division (1 MP) | No change. | Sligo, North Division (1 MP) |
| Sligo, South Division (1 MP) | Sligo, South Division (1 MP) | |
TipperaryeditRepresentation unchanged (4 MPs) | ||
| County Divisions | ||
| 1885 Act | Change | 1918 Act |
| Tipperary, East Division (1 MP) | Boundaries of parliamentary county altered to align with administrative counties of North Tipperary and South Tipperary. | Tipperary, East Division (1 MP) |
| Tipperary, Mid Division (1 MP) | Tipperary, Mid Division (1 MP) | |
| Tipperary, North Division (1 MP) | Tipperary, North Division (1 MP) | |
| Tipperary, South Division (1 MP) | Tipperary, South Division (1 MP) | |
TyroneeditRepresentation reduced from 4 to 3 MPs | ||
| County Divisions | ||
| 1885 Act | Change | 1918 Act |
| Tyrone, East Division (1 MP) | Divided into three single-member divisions. | Tyrone, North East Division (1 MP) |
| Tyrone, Mid Division (1 MP) | ||
| Tyrone, North Division (1 MP) | Tyrone, North West Division (1 MP) | |
| Tyrone, South Division (1 MP) | Tyrone, South Division (1 MP) | |
WaterfordeditRepresentation reduced from 3 to 2 MPs | ||
| Boroughs | ||
| 1885 Act | Change | 1918 Act |
| Waterford City (1 MP) | Extended to include entire county borough of Waterford and the part of the rural district of Waterford No. 1 which consisted of the district electoral divisions of Ballynakill, Kilbarry, Killoteran and Waterford Rural. | Waterford City (1 MP) |
| County Divisions | ||
| 1885 Act | Change | 1918 Act |
| Waterford, East Division (1 MP) | Boundaries of parliamentary county altered to align with administrative county, and to exclude the area of the extended parliamentary borough of Waterford. Undivided parliamentary county returned one MP. |
Waterford County (1 MP) |
| Waterford, West Division (1 MP) | ||
WestmeatheditRepresentation reduced from 2 to 1 MP | ||
| County Divisions | ||
| 1885 Act | Change | 1918 Act |
| Westmeath, North Division (1 MP) | Undivided parliamentary county returned one MP. | Westmeath (1 MP) |
| Westmeath, South Division (1 MP) | ||
WexfordeditRepresentation unchanged (2 MPs) | ||
| County Divisions | ||
| 1885 Act | Change | 1918 Act |
| Wexford, North Division (1 MP) | Boundaries of parliamentary county altered to align with administrative county. | Wexford, North Division (1 MP) |
| Wexford, South Division (1 MP) | Wexford, South Division (1 MP) | |
WickloweditRepresentation unchanged (2 MPs) | ||
| County Divisions | ||
| 1885 Act | Change | 1918 Act |
| Wicklow, East Division (1 MP) | Boundaries of parliamentary county altered to align with administrative county. | Wicklow, East Division (1 MP) |
| Wicklow, West Division (1 MP) | Wicklow, West Division (1 MP) | |
UniversitieseditRepresentation increased from 2 to 4 MPs | ||
| 1885 Act | Change | 1918 Act |
| Dublin University (2 MPs) | No change | Dublin University (2 MPs) |
| New constituency | National University of Ireland (1 MP) | |
| New constituency | Queen's University, Belfast (1 MP) | |
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Boundary Commission (Ireland) (1917). Report of the Boundary Commission (Ireland).
- ^ "Government of Ireland Act 1920: Fifth Schedule". legislation.gov.uk. The National Archives. Retrieved 4 October 2021.
- ^ "Irish Free State (Agreement) Act 1922 (12 & 13 Geo. 5, c. 4)". Historical Documents. Archived from the original on 15 March 2012.
Sources
edit- "Redistribution of Seats (Ireland) Act 1918". Representation of the People Act 1918, and the Redistribution of Seats (Ireland) Act 1918. 1917.
- Walker, Brian M., ed. (1978). Parliamentary Election Results in Ireland, 1801–1922. Royal Irish Academy.