An Educational Charity | Charity Reg. No. NIC100280
+44 (028) 9181 2073 | enquiry@uhf.org.uk
Charitable Objectives

Constituencies

The summary of the electorate gives a very generalised view, for all eighteenth–century figures are 'soft' and can only be approximate.

  • All constituencies returned two members.
  • All electors had two votes, but could use only one ('plump') if they wished.

In the tables below:

  • figures after county names show percentages of Catholic households in 1732;
  • square brackets after percentages are estimates of the total population in 1784;
  • figures preceded by c. are guesses at the electorate, extrapolated from the electoral returns;
  • square brackets after the electorate represent estimates of the county electorate 1800 to 1832 taken from the History of Parliament 1790–1820 (indicating the effects of the 1793 Catholic Enfranchisement Act);
CO. ANTRIM – 19%, [110,920 + Carrickfergus 3,225] c. 3,500,3 [c. 8,000 (1815)]
CONSTITUENCY TYPE PATRON ELECTORATE
Antrim Potwalloping E. of Massereene 250–300
Belfast Corporation E. of Donegall 13 burgesses, 5 resident
(unchanged 1800–32)
Lisburn Potwalloping E. of Hertford 350–400 electors (1808 – c. 75)
Randalstown Potwalloping John O'Neil 80–200 electors
Carrickfergus County borough E. of Donegall (1 seat) 900 freemen and freeholders
Open (1 seat) (1812 – c. 800)
CO. ARMAGH – 33%, [84,000] c. 2,400,5 [c. 6,000 (1815)]
CONSTITUENCY TYPE PATRON ELECTORATE
Armagh Corporation Primate 13 burgesses (unchanged 1800–32)
Charlemont Corporation E. of Charlemont 13 burgesses
CO. CARLOW – 80%, [34,176] c. 550–650,6 [c. 4,000 (1815)]
CONSTITUENCY TYPE PATRON ELECTORATE
Carlow Corporation William Burton; sold 2 13 burgesses
seats 1795 (£13,000)7 to (unchanged 1800–32)
Charles Bury (Charleville)
Old Leighlin Corporation Bishop of Ferns 13 burgesses
CO. CAVAN – 76%, [68,000] c. 1,850,8 [c. 4,000 (1815)]
CONSTITUENCY TYPE PATRON ELECTORATE
Belturbet Corporation E. of Lanesborough; sold 1 12 burgesses (very few resident)
seat to David La Touche;
sold 2 seats c. 1783 to
E. of Belmore9
Cavan Corporation10 Thomas Nesbitt (1 seat) 13 burgesses
Robert Clements (1 seat)
CO. CLARE – 93%, [66,000] c. 1,000,11 [c. 7,000 (1801), c. 6,000 (1815), c. 10,000 (1818)]
CONSTITUENCY TYPE PATRON ELECTORATE
Ennis Corporation Sir Lucius O'Brien (1 seat) 12 burgesses (unchanged 1800–32)
Pierpont Burton-
Conyngham (1 seat)
CO. CORK – 89%, [250,000 + Cork city 100,000] c. 3,000,12 [c. 20,500 (1818)]
CONSTITUENCY TYPE PATRON ELECTORATE
Baltimore Potwalloping Sir John Freke 23 voted in 177413
Bandon-Bridge Corporation Francis Bernard (Bandon) 13 burgesses, 50 freemen
13 burgesses 1800–32
Castlemartyr Corporation E. of Shannon 13 burgesses
Charleville Corporation E. of Shannon (1) 6 burgesses at present alive14
E. of Cork (1)
Clonakilty Corporation E. of Shannon Burgesses and freemen:  7 voted (1783)
Cork city 68% County borough Open 1200–1500 freemen and freeholders
(1,895 in 1818)
Doneraile Manor Lord Doneraile Freeholders of manor
Kinsale Corporation Lord de Clifford Burgesses and freemen resident in
Ulster (176 in 1831)
Mallow Manor Denham Jephson Freeholders of manor (524 in 1831)
Midleton Corporation Lord Midleton 6 burgesses
Rathcormack Potwalloping William Hull 7 voted in 1783
(Tonson) (Riversdale)
Youghal Corporation E. of Shannon Burgesses and freemen (263 in 1831)
CO. DONEGAL – 43%, [66,720] c. 2,500,15 [c. 6,000 (1815)] ...
CONSTITUENCY TYPE PATRON ELECTORATE
Ballyshannon Corporation Conolly family; sold16 2 seats 13 burgesses, one resident
in 1797 to E. of Belmore
Donegal Corporation E. of Arran 13 burgesses, one resident
Killybegs Corporation E. of Conyngham and heirs 13 burgesses, all non-resident
Lifford Corporation Lord Erne 13 burgesses, one resident
St Johnstown Corporation E. of Abercorn (2 seats) 13 burgesses, all non-resident
William Forward and heiress
– Countess of Wicklow17
(2 seats)
CO. DOWN – 27%, [135,835]18 c. 6,000,19 [c. 13,000 (1811), c. 15,000 (1815)]
CONSTITUENCY TYPE PATRON ELECTORATE
Bangor20 Corporation Sir James Hamilton and 12 burgesses
heiresses (2 seats)
Lord Bangor (1 seat)
E. of Carrick (1 seat)
Downpatrick Potwalloping Lord de Clifford 250 electors (393 voted in 1818)
Hillsborough Corporation E. of Hillsborough 13 burgesses
(Downshire)
Killyleagh Corporation Stevenson family (pre-1769) 13 burgesses
(2 seats)
Sir John Blackwood21 (2 seats)
Newry22 Potwalloping William Needham (1 seat) 600–700 electors (c. 500 post-1800)
Open (1 seat)
Newtown(ards) Corporation Colvill family (mid-1740s) 13 burgesses
(2 seats); John Ponsonby23
(2 seats) – heir exchanged
Banagher with Lord Caledon
c. 1787
CO. DUBLIN – 77%, [56,800 + Dublin city c. 300,000] c. 1,200–1,500,24 [c. 2,000 (1815)]
CONSTITUENCY TYPE PATRON ELECTORATE
Dublin city25 32% County borough Open 3,000–4,000 freemen and freeholders
(3,000 in 1806)
Dublin University Corporation Provost (2 seats) post-1776 70 Scholars and 22 Fellows
TCD ?Open (2 seats) (unchanged 1800–32)
Newcastle26 Corporation E. of Lanesborough; 12 burgesses
sold 2 seats 1776–9 (£7,000–
8,000) to David La Touche
Swords27 Potwalloping Open 160 electors
CO. FERMANAGH – 42%, [30,000] c. 3,000,28 [c. 7,000 (1815)]
CONSTITUENCY TYPE PATRON ELECTORATE
Enniskillen Corporation E. of Enniskillen 12–14 burgesses (unchanged 1800–32)
CO. GALWAY – 95%, [166,249 + Galway town 12,600] c. 700, [c. 13,000 (1815)]
CONSTITUENCY TYPE PATRON ELECTORATE
Athenry Corporation John Blakeney 13 burgesses and 2 freemen
Galway County borough Denis Daly (1 seat) 569 freemen and freeholders (including
Denis Bowes Daly (1 seat) 295 admitted in 1783)29
(560 in 1812); 847 voted in 1818
Tuam Corporation Bingham family30 13 burgesses
(Clanmorris)
CO. KERRY – 92%, [75,000] c. 1,000, [c. 5,000 (1815)]
CONSTITUENCY TYPE PATRON ELECTORATE
Ardfert Corporation E. of Glandore 12 burgesses and 6 freemen
Dingle Corporation Maurice FitzGerald heirs – 150 freemen, 2 resident
Townshend family
Tralee Corporation Sir Barry Denny 13 burgesses (unchanged 1800–32)
CO. KILDARE – 92%, [49,968] [?]c. 300–1,500,31 [c. 2,000 (1815)]
CONSTITUENCY TYPE PATRON ELECTORATE
Athy Corporation Duke of Leinster 'A few' burgesses and freemen
Harristown Corporation Duke of Leinster; sold 2 seats 13 burgesses – uninhabited
1793 (£14,000–16,000) to
John La Touche
Kildare Corporation Duke of Leinster 13 burgesses plus 'a few' freemen
Naas Corporation John Bourke (E. of Mayo) 'A few' burgesses and freemen
CO. KILKENNY – 91%, [86,574 + Kilkenny city 13,865] c. 1,050,32 [2,300 (1815)]
CONSTITUENCY TYPE PATRON ELECTORATE
Callan Corporation James Agar (Callan) Freemen
Gowran Corporation James Agar and heir (Clifden) c. 13 burgesses
Innistiogue Corporation Col. Ponsonby (1692)33 (2 13 burgesses
seats); Sir William Fownes
and heirs (2 seats)
Kilkenny city34  County borough Duke of Ormonde (1692–1715) 1,400–1,800 freemen and freeholders
Sir Haydock Morres (1 seat) (865 in 1831)
Sir John Blunden (1 seat)
From 1783, Cuffe and
Butler families (2 seats)
Knocktopher Potwalloping Sir Hercules Langrishe (1 seat) Potwallopers and freemen
John Ponsonby (1 seat) 1 elector in 1783–4
After 1783, Langrishe (2 seats)
St Canice or Corporation Bishop of Ossory 13 burgesses and freemen
Irishtown
Thomastown Corporation James Agar (Clifden) [?]13 Burgesses
KING'S COUNTY – 84%, [48,000] c. 900–1,500,35 [c. 3,000 (1815)]
CONSTITUENCY TYPE PATRON ELECTORATE
Banagher36 Corporation Misses Plunket (2 seats); 13 burgesses and 'a few freemen'
sold (2 seats) to Peter
Holmes; sold (2 seats) 1787
(£10,500) to James Alexander;
exchanged (2 seats) for
Newtown(ards) 1788 with
G. Ponsonby
Philipstown37 Corporation E. of Belvidere 13 burgesses and 'a few freemen'
CO. LEITRIM – 85%, [35,280] c. 1,076,38 [c. 7,000 (1815)]
CONSTITUENCY TYPE PATRON ELECTORATE
Carrick Corporation Nathaniel Clements 13 burgesses, all non-resident39
(E. of Leitrim)
Jamestown Corporation King family 13 burgesses, one resident
CO. LIMERICK – 88%, [120,000 + 40,000 Limerick city] c. 1,500,40 [c. 1,500 (1815)]
CONSTITUENCY TYPE PATRON ELECTORATE
Askeaton Corporation Edward Taylor41 – 13 burgesses
heirs E. of Carrick (1 seat);
Hugh Massy (1 seat)
Kilmallock Corporation Silver Oliver 13 burgesses
Limerick County borough Smyth and Pery families 800 freemen and freeholders
(c. 1,000 in 1818)
CO. LONDONDERRY – 24%, [99,000] [?] c. 2,252–2,432,42 [c. 8,500 (1815)]
CONSTITUENCY TYPE PATRON ELECTORATE
Coleraine Corporation Richard Jackson (1 seat), died 1789 Mayor, 12 aldermen and 24 non-
(1 seat), sold c. 1793 resident burgesses (52 in 1831)
(£7,000) to E. of Tyrone
(M. of Waterford)
(2 seats – bought from
Richard Jackson's heir)
Limavady Corporation E. of Conyngham and heir, 13 burgesses
Thomas Conolly; sold43
1792 to Lord Londonderry
Londonderry Corporation Open 700–750 freemen electors
(c. 1,000 in 1812)
CO. LONGFORD – 82%, [40,000] c. 700,44 [c. 3,100 (1813)]
CONSTITUENCY TYPE PATRON ELECTORATE
Granard Manor Mrs Macartney and heirs Freeholders
Lanesborough Corporation Robert Dillon (of Burgesses and freemen (very few)
Clonbrock)
Longford Corporation E. of Longford Burgesses and freemen (very few)
St Johnstown Corporation E. of Granard Burgesses, all non-resident
CO. LOUTH – 85%, [46,446] [?]c. 400,45 [c. 600 (1815)]
CONSTITUENCY TYPE PATRON ELECTORATE
Ardee Corporation John Ruxton and heirs 24 burgesses and 80 freemen
Carlingford Corporation Ross Moore (1 seat); 13 burgesses and 'some' freemen
Col. Robert Ross (1 seat),
sold c. 1790s to
M. of Downshire
Drogheda County borough Francis Leigh (?1 seat) 500 freemen and freeholders
Open (1 seat) (650 in 1815)
Dundalk46  Corporation E. of Clanbrassill 16 burgesses and 700 freemen
1798 Countess of Roden (c. 30 post-1800)
Dunleer47  Corporation Lord Dartmouth until 1698 13 burgesses and 30 freemen
Tenison family until 1735
Foster family (1 seat)
Dixie Coddington (1779
1 seat)
CO. MAYO – 94%, [120,084] c. 1,000,48 [c. 12,000 (1802), c. 11,000 (1814)]
CONSTITUENCY TYPE PATRON ELECTORATE
Castlebar Corporation Sir Charles Bingham 13 burgesses, all non-resident
(E. of Lucan)
CO. MEATH – 90%, [94,600] c. 1,200,49 [c. 4,300 (1815)]
CONSTITUENCY TYPE PATRON ELECTORATE
Athboy Manor E. of Darnley 30 freeholders (1783)
Duleek Corporation Abel Ram; sold 2 seats 13 burgesses (probably fewer)
c. 1789 (£10,000) to
Henry Bruen50
Kells Corporation E. of Bective (M. of Headfort) A few freemen and burgesses
Navan Corporation E. of Ludlow (1 seat) 13 burgesses and 60–70 freemen;
John Preston (Lord Tara) only 9 voted in 1783
(1 seat)
Ratoath Manor Gorges Lowther (2) Freeholders
Trim Corporation E. of Mornington (Wellesley) 13 burgesses and 300 freemen
CO. MONAGHAN – 64%, [99,225] [?]c. 1,500,51 [c. 3,500 (1807)]
CONSTITUENCY TYPE PATRON ELECTORATE
Monaghan Corporation Sir Alexander Cairnes and 13 burgesses, all non-resident
heirs; E. of Clermont (1 seat)
and heirs; Lady Blayney
(1 seat) and heirs
QUEEN'S COUNTY – 90%, [40,000] [?]c. 1,500–1,600,55 [c. 6,000 (1815)]
CONSTITUENCY TYPE PATRON ELECTORATE
Ballynakill Corporation E. of Drogheda 12 burgesses, 2 resident
Maryborough53 Corporation Sir John Parnell (1 seat) Mayor, 2 bailiffs, 12 burgesses
Dean Coote (1 seat) and c. 350 freemen
Portarlington Corporation Lord Carlow 13 burgesses and 50 freemen54
(E. of Portarlington) (12 in 1815, 15 in 1831)
CO. ROSCOMMON – 90%, [40,000] [?]c. 1,500–1,600,55 [c. 6,000 (1815)]
CONSTITUENCY TYPE PATRON ELECTORATE
Boyle Corporation E. of Kingston 13 burgesses, mostly non-resident
Roscommon Corporation Henry Sandford (Mt Sandford) 13 burgesses
Tulsk Corporation Sir George Caulfeild and heirs 13 burgesses, all non-resident
CO. SLIGO – 81%, [36,900] c. 1,000,56 [c. 2,000 (1815)]
CONSTITUENCY TYPE PATRON ELECTORATE
Sligo Corporation Owen Wynne 13 burgesses (unaltered 1800–32)
CO. TIPPERARY – 91%, [119,706] c. 1,500,57 [c. 18,000 (post–1800)]
CONSTITUENCY TYPE PATRON ELECTORATE
Cashel Corporation Richard Pennefather Mayor, 17 aldermen and 70–80
freemen (25 in 1829)
Clonmel Corporation Moore family Mayor, 19 burgesses and 72 freemen
(Mountcashell)58 (c. 90 post-1800)
Fethard Corporation Cornelius O'Callaghan 13 burgesses and 900 freemen59
(Lismore) (1 seat)
Mr William Barton (1 seat)
CO. TYRONE – 52%, [112,612] c. 3,500 [20,000 (post–1800), 10,000 (1812)]
CONSTITUENCY TYPE PATRON ELECTORATE
Augher Corporation Sir Archibald Erskine and 13 burgesses
heirs; James Moutray (1 seat)
William Richardson (1 seat)60
M. of Abercorn purchased
2 seats 1790 (£11,500)
Clogher Corporation Bishop of Clogher61  (2) 13 burgesses, clergy
Dungannon Corporation Thomas Knox (Ld. Welles) 13 burgesses (unaltered 1800–32)
Strabane Corporation E. of Abercorn62  13 burgesses
CO. WATERFORD – 93%, [52,000 + Waterford city 40,000] c. 700,63 [c. 3,300 (1815)]
CONSTITUENCY TYPE PATRON ELECTORATE
Dungarvan64 [?]Potwalloping D. of Devonshire (1 seat) 65 120 freeholders and householders
E. of Tyrone and others (1 seat)
Lismore [?]Manor D. of Devonshire Freeholders and householders
Tallow [?]Potwalloping D. of Devonshire Resident householders (96 in 1783)
Waterford city66 County borough Alcock, Bolton, Carew and Resident freemen and freeholders
Christmas families (c. 1,000 post-1800)
CO. WESTMEATH – 86%, [70,350] c. 1,120,67 2,700(1806), [c. 3,000 (1815)]
CONSTITUENCY TYPE PATRON ELECTORATE
Athlone68 Corporation Sir Richard St George (1 seat) Burgesses and 400–500 freemen
Dean Handcock (1 seat) (71 in 1832)
Fore Corporation E. of Westmeath 13 burgesses
Kilbeggan Corporation Charles Lambart 13 burgesses
Mullingar69 Manor E. of Granard Freeholders (12 voted in 1783)
CO. WEXFORD – 83%, [77,628] [?]c. 2,500,70 [c. 7,500 (1818)]
CONSTITUENCY TYPE PATRON ELECTORATE
Bannow Corporation E. (M.) of Ely 13 burgesses, 1 resident*
Clonmines Corporation E. (M.) of Ely 13 burgesses, 1 resident*
Enniscorthy Corporation Sir Vesey Colclough 13 burgesses, 1 resident
Fethard Corporation E. (M.) of Ely 13 burgesses, 1 resident*
Gorey Corporation Abel Ram 13 burgesses
New Ross Corporation Charles Tottenham (1 seat) 13 burgesses and freemen (38 in 1831)
Robert Leigh (1 seat)
Taghmon71 Corporation Hore family; sold ante 13 Burgesses + 20 Freemen
1795 to Henry Bruen
Wexford72 Corporation Richard Nevill (1 seat) Mayor, 2 bailiffs, 24 burgesses and
Richard Le Hunt (1 seat) 600–800 freemen (c. 150 post-1800)
* Bannow, Clonmines and Fethard shared the same 13 burgesses.
CO. WICKLOW – 67%, [56,532] c. 900,73 [c. 3,000 (1803), c. 1,500 (1815)]
CONSTITUENCY TYPE PATRON ELECTORATE
Baltinglass Corporation E. of Aldborough 12 burgesses plus 20 freemen
Blessington Corporation Charles Dunbar and heirs 12 burgesses plus 6 freemen
(Hillsborough/
M. of Downshire)
Carysfort Corporation V. Allen74  and heir 13 burgesses, all non-resident
Lord Carysfort
Wicklow Corporation William Tighe 13 burgesses
These are just some of the organisations we have worked with, click here to view the full list
Registered with The Charity Commission for Northern Ireland NIC100280