Phelim O'Neill, 2nd Baron Rathcavan

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The Lord Rathcavan
Leader of the Alliance Party
In office
1972–1972
Preceded byOliver Napier
Succeeded byOliver Napier
Personal details
Born(1909-11-02)2 November 1909
Died20 December 1994(1994-12-20) (aged 85)
Castlebar, County Mayo
NationalityIrish
Political partyAlliance
Ulster Unionist
Spouse(s)Clare Blow (m.1934–44, dissolved)
Bridget Coke (m.1953)
RelationsHugh O'Neill (father)
Terence O'Neill (cousin)
Children6
Alma materEton College
ProfessionOfficer

Phelim Robert Hugh O'Neill, 2nd Baron Rathcavan, PC (NI) (2 November 1909 – 20 December 1994), was a politician in Northern Ireland and a hereditary peer in the British House of Lords.

The son of Hugh O'Neill, a unionist politician, Phelim studied at Eton College before joining the Royal Artillery. He became a major during World War II.

O'Neill was elected to Westminster for the Ulster Unionist Party at the 1952 North Antrim by-election, succeeding his father. He stood down at the 1959 general election. At the 1958 Stormont elections, he was elected, again to represent North Antrim. In 1969, he briefly served as Minister of Education before becoming the Minister of Agriculture. In 1958, he was appointed High Sheriff of Antrim.[1]

O'Neill joined the Alliance Party of Northern Ireland in 1972, and acted as its leader at the Darlington Conference. At the 1973 Northern Ireland Assembly election, he was unsuccessful in North Antrim. In 1982, he succeeded his father as the second Baron Rathcavan.

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "No. 1906". The Belfast Gazette. 3 January 1958. p. 2.
Parliament of the United Kingdom
Preceded by Member of Parliament for North Antrim
1952–1959
Succeeded by
Parliament of Northern Ireland
Preceded by Member of Parliament for North Antrim
1958–1973
Parliament abolished
Political offices
Preceded by Minister of Education
1969
Succeeded by
Preceded by Minister of Agriculture
1969–1971
Succeeded by
Peerage of the United Kingdom
Preceded by Baron Rathcavan
1982–1994
Succeeded by