List of Irish general elections (pre‑1801)

This is a list of general elections to the Irish House of Commons, the lower house of the Parliament of Ireland before its abolition under the Acts of Union 1800.

Before 1768, parliaments were often long-lived and dissolved only on the demise of the Crown. The Octennial Act of 1768 limited the maximum duration of Parliament to eight years, creating more regular elections.

The Irish Parliament was abolished under the Acts of Union 1800, which merged the Kingdom of Ireland and the Kingdom of Great Britain to form the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. It was succeeded by representation of Ireland in the Parliament of the United Kingdom, with Irish MPs sitting at Westminster.

General elections

Election year

Notes / Context

1692

First general election after the Williamite War in Ireland.{{cite book

1695

1703

1713

1715

1727

Election after death of George I; Catholics disenfranchised.{{cite journal

1761

1769

First election under Octennial Act rules.

1776

Held under Octennial Act maximum-term provision.

1783

Held following Constitution of 1782, increasing legislative independence.

1790

1797

Final general election before the Acts of Union 1800; Catholics (meeting property requirements) could vote under the Catholic Relief Act 1793.

See also

  • Parliament of Ireland
  • History of the Irish Parliament, 1692–1800
  • Acts of Union 1800
  • Octennial Act