Redistribution of Seats (Ireland) Act 1918
 | |
| 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 |
| Other legislation | |
| Repealed by | Electoral Act 1923 (IFS); Representation of the People Act 1948 (UK) |
The Redistribution of Seats (Ireland) Act 1918 was an Act passed by the Parliament of the United Kingdom which redistributed the parliamentary constituencies in Ireland for the House of Commons. The new constituencies were used for the 1918 general election, and were also used by Sinn Féin to elect members of the revolutionary First Dáil, which first met in January 1919.
This Act replaced the distribution of seats which had been used since 1885. The number of seats was increased from 103 to 105, with the enfranchisement of two additional universities. There continued to be two two-member constituencies, so the number of constituencies increased from 101 to 103.
In 1922 this redistribution was replaced, for the six counties in Northern Ireland which remained part of the UK, by new UK Parliament constituencies. The remaining twenty-six Irish counties ceased to be represented at Westminster.
Under the Government of Ireland Act 1920, provision was made for new constituencies, to be used for the House of Commons of Northern Ireland and the House of Commons of Southern Ireland. Sinn Féin used both sets of constituencies to elect the Second Dáil of 1921–1922, and the Southern Ireland ones for the election to the Third Dáil of 1922–1923.
Redistributed seats
AntrimRepresentation increased from 8 to 13 MPs | ||
| Boroughs | ||
|---|---|---|
| Before 1918 | Change | After 1918 |
| Belfast, East Division (one MP) | Boundaries extended to include entire county borough. Divided into nine single-member divisions. |
Belfast, Cromac Division (one MP) |
| Belfast, Duncairn Division (one MP) | ||
| Belfast, North Division (one MP) | Belfast, Falls Division (one MP) | |
| Belfast, Ormeau Division (one MP) | ||
| Belfast, Pottinger Division (one MP) | ||
| Belfast, South Division (one MP) | Belfast, St. Anne's Division (one MP) | |
| Belfast, Shankill Division (one MP) | ||
| Belfast, West Division (one MP) | Belfast, Victoria Division (one MP) | |
| Belfast, Woodvale Division (one MP) | ||
| County Divisions | ||
| Before 1918 | Change | After 1918 |
| Antrim, East Division (one MP) | Boundaries of parliamentary county altered to align with administrative county. No other change. |
Antrim, East Division (one MP) |
| Antrim, Mid Division (one MP) | Antrim, Mid Division (one MP) | |
| Antrim, North Division (one MP) | Antrim, North Division (one MP) | |
| Antrim, South Division (one MP) | Antrim, South Division (one MP) | |
ArmaghRepresentation unchanged (3 MPs) | ||
| County Divisions | ||
| Before 1918 | Change | After 1918 |
| Armagh, Mid Division (one MP) | Boundaries of parliamentary county altered to align with administrative county. No other change. |
Armagh, Mid Division (one MP) |
| Armagh, North Division (one MP) | Armagh, North Division (one MP) | |
| Armagh, South Division (one MP) | Armagh, South Division (one MP) | |
CarlowRepresentation unchanged (1 MP) | ||
| County Division | ||
| Before 1918 | Change | After 1918 |
| Carlow County (one MP) | No change. | Carlow County (one MP) |
CavanRepresentation unchanged (2 MPs) | ||
| County Divisions | ||
| Before 1918 | Change | After 1918 |
| Cavan, East Division (one MP) | No change. | Cavan, East Division (one MP) |
| Cavan, West Division (one MP) | Cavan, West Division (one MP) | |
ClareRepresentation unchanged (2 MPs) | ||
| County Divisions | ||
| Before 1918 | Change | After 1918 |
| Clare, East Division (one MP) | Boundaries of parliamentary county altered to align with administrative county. No other change. |
Clare, East Division (one MP) |
| Clare, West Division (one MP) | Clare, West Division (one MP) | |
CorkRepresentation unchanged (9 MPs) | ||
| Boroughs | ||
| Before 1918 | Change | After 1918 |
| Cork City (two MPs) | No change | Cork City (two MPs) |
| County Divisions | ||
| Before 1918 | Change | After 1918 |
| Cork, East Division (one MP) | No change. | Cork, East Division (one MP) |
| Cork, Mid Division (one MP) | Cork, Mid Division (one MP) | |
| Cork, North Division (one MP) | Cork, North Division (one MP) | |
| Cork, North East Division (one MP) | Cork, North East Division (one MP) | |
| Cork, South Division (one MP) | Cork, South Division (one MP) | |
| Cork, South East Division (one MP) | Cork, South East Division (one MP) | |
| Cork, West Division (one MP) | Cork, West Division (one MP) | |
DonegalRepresentation unchanged (4 MPs) | ||
| County Divisions | ||
| Before 1918 | Change | After 1918 |
| Donegal, East Division (one MP) | No change. | Donegal, East Division (one MP) |
| Donegal, North Division (one MP) | Donegal, North Division (one MP) | |
| Donegal, South Division (one MP) | Donegal, South Division (one MP) | |
| Donegal, West Division (one MP) | Donegal, West Division (one MP) | |
DownRepresentation unchanged (5 MPs) | ||
| Boroughs | ||
| Before 1918 | Change | After 1918 |
| Newry (one MP) | Abolished. | |
| County Divisions | ||
| Before 1918 | Change | After 1918 |
| Down, East Division (one 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 (one MP) |
| Down, North Division (one MP) | Down, Mid Division (one MP) | |
| Down, North Division (one MP) | ||
| Down, South Division (one MP) | Down, South Division (one MP) | |
| Down, West Division (one MP) | Down, West Division (one MP) | |
DublinRepresentation increased from 6 to 11 MPs | ||
| County Divisions | ||
| Before 1918 | Change | After 1918 |
| County Dublin, North Division (one MP) | Boundaries of parliamentary county altered to align with administrative county. Divided into four single-member divisions. |
County Dublin, North Division (one MP) |
| County Dublin, Pembroke Division (one MP) | ||
| County Dublin, South Division (one MP) | County Dublin, Rathmines Division (one MP) | |
| County Dublin, South Division (one MP) | ||
| Boroughs | ||
| Before 1885 | Change | After 1885 |
| Dublin, College Green Division (one MP) | Boundaries extended to include entire county borough. Divided into seven single-member divisions. |
Dublin, Clontarf Division (one MP) |
| Dublin, College Green Division (one MP) | ||
| Dublin, Dublin Harbour Division (one MP) | Dublin, Dublin Harbour Division (one MP) | |
| Dublin, St James's Division (one MP) | ||
| Dublin, St Patrick's Division (one MP) | Dublin, St Michan's Division (one MP) | |
| Dublin, St Patrick's Division (one MP) | ||
| Dublin, St Stephen's Green Division (one MP) | Dublin, St Stephen's Green Division (one MP) | |
FermanaghRepresentation unchanged (2 MPs) | ||
| County Divisions | ||
| Before 1918 | Change | After 1918 |
| Fermanagh, North Division (one MP) | No change. | Fermanagh, North Division (one MP) |
| Fermanagh, South Division (one MP) | Fermanagh, South Division (one MP) | |
GalwayRepresentation reduced from 5 to 4 MPs | ||
| Boroughs | ||
| Before 1918 | Change | After 1918 |
| Galway Borough (one MP) | Abolished. | |
| County Divisions | ||
| Before 1918 | Change | After 1918 |
| Galway, Connemara Division (one 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 (one MP) |
| Galway, East Division (one MP) | Galway, East Division (one MP) | |
| Galway, North Division (one MP) | Galway, North Division (one MP) | |
| Galway, South Division (one MP) | Galway, South Division (one MP) | |
KerryRepresentation unchanged (4 MPs) | ||
| County Divisions | ||
| Before 1918 | Change | After 1918 |
| Kerry, East Division (one MP) | No change. | Kerry, East Division (one MP) |
| Kerry, North Division (one MP) | Kerry, North Division (one MP) | |
| Kerry, South Division (one MP) | Kerry, South Division (one MP) | |
| Kerry, West Division (one MP) | Kerry, West Division (one MP) | |
KildareRepresentation unchanged (2 MPs) | ||
| County Divisions | ||
| Before 1918 | Change | After 1918 |
| Kildare, North Division (one MP) | No change. | Kildare, North Division (one MP) |
| Kildare, South Division (one MP) | Kildare, South Division (one MP) | |
KilkennyRepresentation reduced from 3 to 2 MPs | ||
| Boroughs | ||
| Before 1918 | Change | After 1918 |
| Kilkenny City (one MP) | Abolished. | |
| County Divisions | ||
| Before 1918 | Change | After 1918 |
| Kilkenny, North Division (one 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 (one MP) |
| Kilkenny, South Division (one MP) | Kilkenny, South Division (one MP) | |
King's CountyRepresentation reduced from 2 to 1 MP | ||
| County Divisions | ||
| Before 1918 | Change | After 1918 |
| King's County, Birr Division (one MP) | Undivided parliamentary county returned one MP. | King's County (one MP) |
| King's County, Tullamore Division (one MP) | ||
LeitrimRepresentation reduced from 2 to 1 MP | ||
| County Divisions | ||
| Before 1918 | Change | After 1918 |
| Leitrim, North Division (one MP) | Undivided parliamentary county returned one MP. | Leitrim (one MP) |
| Leitrim, South Division (one MP) | ||
LimerickRepresentation unchanged (3 MPs) | ||
| Boroughs | ||
| Before 1918 | Change | After 1918 |
| Limerick City (one MP) | No change. | Limerick City (one MP) |
| County Divisions | ||
| Before 1918 | Change | After 1918 |
| Limerick, East Division (one MP) | No change. | Limerick, East Division (one MP) |
| Limerick, West Division (one MP) | Limerick, West Division (one MP) | |
LondonderryRepresentation unchanged (3 MPs) | ||
| Boroughs | ||
| Before 1918 | Change | After 1918 |
| Londonderry City (one MP) | No change. | Londonderry City (one MP) |
| County Divisions | ||
| Before 1918 | Change | After 1918 |
| Londonderry, North Division (one MP) | No change. | Londonderry, North Division (one MP) |
| Londonderry, South Division (one MP) | Londonderry, South Division (one MP) | |
LongfordRepresentation reduced from 2 to 1 MP | ||
| County Divisions | ||
| Before 1918 | Change | After 1918 |
| Longford, North Division (one MP) | Undivided parliamentary county returned one MP. | Longford (one MP) |
| Longford, South Division (one MP) | ||
LouthRepresentation reduced from 2 to 1 MP | ||
| County Divisions | ||
| Before 1918 | Change | After 1918 |
| Louth, North Division (one MP) | Undivided parliamentary county returned one MP. | Louth (one MP) |
| Louth, South Division (one MP) | ||
MayoRepresentation unchanged (4 MPs) | ||
| County Divisions | ||
| Before 1918 | Change | After 1918 |
| Mayo, East Division (one MP) | Boundaries of parliamentary county altered to align with administrative county. No other change. |
Mayo, East Division (one MP) |
| Mayo, North Division (one MP) | Mayo, North Division (one MP) | |
| Mayo, South Division (one MP) | Mayo, South Division (one MP) | |
| Mayo, West Division (one MP) | Mayo, West Division (one MP) | |
MeathRepresentation unchanged (2 MPs) | ||
| County Divisions | ||
| Before 1918 | Change | After 1918 |
| Meath, North Division (one MP) | No change. | Meath, North Division (one MP) |
| Meath, South Division (one MP) | Meath, South Division (one MP) | |
MonaghanRepresentation unchanged (2 MPs) | ||
| County Divisions | ||
| Before 1918 | Change | After 1918 |
| Monaghan, North Division (one MP) | No change. | Monaghan, North Division (one MP) |
| Monaghan, South Division (one MP) | Monaghan, South Division (one MP) | |
Queen's CountyRepresentation reduced from 2 to 1 MP | ||
| County Divisions | ||
| Before 1918 | Change | After 1918 |
| Queen's County, Leix Division (one MP) | Undivided parliamentary county returned one MP. | Queen's County (one MP) |
| Queen's County, Ossory Division (one MP) | ||
RoscommonRepresentation unchanged (2 MPs) | ||
| County Divisions | ||
| Before 1918 | Change | After 1918 |
| Roscommon, North Division (one MP) | Boundaries of parliamentary county altered to align with administrative county. No other change. |
Roscommon, North Division (one MP) |
| Roscommon, South Division (one MP) | Roscommon, South Division (one MP) | |
SligoRepresentation unchanged (2 MPs) | ||
| County Divisions | ||
| Before 1918 | Change | After 1918 |
| Sligo, North Division (one MP) | No change. | Sligo, North Division (one MP) |
| Sligo, South Division (one MP) | Sligo, South Division (one MP) | |
TipperaryRepresentation unchanged (4 MPs) | ||
| County Divisions | ||
| Before 1918 | Change | After 1918 |
| Tipperary, East Division (one MP) | Boundaries of parliamentary county altered to align with administrative counties of North Tipperary and South Tipperary. No other change. |
Tipperary, East Division (one MP) |
| Tipperary, Mid Division (one MP) | Tipperary, Mid Division (one MP) | |
| Tipperary, North Division (one MP) | Tipperary, North Division (one MP) | |
| Tipperary, South Division (one MP) | Tipperary, South Division (one MP) | |
TyroneRepresentation reduced from 4 to 3 MPs | ||
| County Divisions | ||
| Before 1918 | Change | After 1918 |
| Tyrone, East Division (one MP) | Divided into three single-member divisions. | Tyrone, North East Division (one MP) |
| Tyrone, Mid Division (one MP) | ||
| Tyrone, North Division (one MP) | Tyrone, North West Division (one MP) | |
| Tyrone, South Division (one MP) | Tyrone, South Division (one MP) | |
WaterfordRepresentation reduced from 3 to 2 MPs | ||
| Boroughs | ||
| Before 1918 | Change | After 1918 |
| Waterford City (one 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 (one MP) |
| County Divisions | ||
| Before 1918 | Change | After 1918 |
| Waterford, East Division (one 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 (one MP) |
| Waterford, West Division (one MP) | ||
WestmeathRepresentation reduced from 2 to 1 MP | ||
| County Divisions | ||
| Before 1918 | Change | After 1918 |
| Westmeath, North Division (one MP) | Undivided parliamentary county returned one MP. | Westmeath (one MP) |
| Westmeath, South Division (one MP) | ||
WexfordRepresentation unchanged (2 MPs) | ||
| County Divisions | ||
| Before 1918 | Change | After 1918 |
| Wexford, North Division (one MP) | Boundaries of parliamentary county altered to align with administrative county. No other change. |
Wexford, North Division (one MP) |
| Wexford, South Division (one MP) | Wexford, South Division (one MP) | |
WicklowRepresentation unchanged (2 MPs) | ||
| County Divisions | ||
| Before 1918 | Change | After 1918 |
| Wicklow, East Division (one MP) | Boundaries of parliamentary county altered to align with administrative county. No other change. |
Wicklow, East Division (one MP) |
| Wicklow, West Division (one MP) | Wicklow, West Division (one MP) | |
UniversitiesRepresentation increased from 2 to 4 MPs | ||
| Before 1918 | Change | After 1918 |
| Dublin University (two MPs) | No change | Dublin University (two MPs) |
| New constituency | National University of Ireland (one MP) | |
| New constituency | Queen's University, Belfast (one MP) | |
References
Notes
- ^ Short title as conferred by s. 10 of the Act; the modern convention for the citation of short titles omits the comma after the word "Act"
Other sources
- Parliamentary Election Results in Ireland, 1801–1922, edited by B.M. Walker (Royal Irish Academy 1978)
See also
- Wikipedia:WikiProject UK Parliament constituencies/Historic constituency names
- List of former United Kingdom Parliamentary constituencies
- List of UK Parliament Constituencies in Ireland and Northern Ireland
- List of Dáil Éireann constituencies in Ireland (historic)