Antrim (UK Parliament constituency)

For other constituencies of the same name, see Antrim (disambiguation).
Antrim
Former County constituency
for the House of Commons
1801 (1801)–1885 (1885)
Replaced by East Antrim, Mid Antrim, North Antrim and South Antrim
1922 (1922)–1950 (1950)
Replaced by North Antrim and South Antrim
Created from East Antrim, Mid Antrim, North Antrim and South Antrim

Antrim is a former UK Parliament constituency in Ireland. It was a two member constituency and existed in two periods, 1801–1885 and 1922-1950.

Contents

Boundaries

From 1801 until 1885, the constituency consisted of the whole of County Antrim, excluding the parts in the Parliamentary borough constituencies of Belfast, Carrickfergus and Lisburn. From 1885 - 1922, the constituency was split between the divisions of East Antrim, Mid Antrim, North Antrim and South Antrim.

From 1922 until 1950, the constituency consisted of the Administrative county of Antrim, that is the whole of County Antrim excluding the part in the City of Belfast. In 1950 the county was split, between the divisions of Antrim North and Antrim South.

Members of Parliament

MPs 1801–1885

Key to parties: C Conservative, L Liberal, NP no party identified, T Tory, U Unionist, W Whig. Changes of party name in 1832 are indicated i.e. (T,C) and (W,L).

From To Name (Party) Born Died
1801 1802 Rt Hon. John Staples (NP) 1 March 1734 22 December 1820
1801 1812 Edmond Alexander MacNaghten (T) 2 August 1762 15 March 1832
1802 1841 Hon. John Bruce Richard O'Neill (T,C) 30 December 1780 12 February 1855
1812 1818 Earl of Yarmouth (T) 11 March 1777 1 March 1842
1818 1822 Hugh Henry John Seymour (T) 25 September 1790 2 December 1821
1822 1826 Earl of Yarmouth (T) 22 February 1800 25 August 1870
1826 1830 Edmond Alexander McNaghten (T) 2 August 1734 15 March 1832
1830 1837 Earl of Belfast (T,W,L) 10 February 1797 20 October 1883
1837 1845 John Irving (C) c. 1767 10 November 1845
1841 1852 Nathaniel Alexander (C) 1815 5 January 1853
1845 1847 Sir Horace Beauchamp Seymour (C) 22 November 1791 21 November 1851
1847 1852 Sir Edward Macnaghten, Bt (C) 1 April 1790 6 January 1876
1852 1854 Edward William Pakenham (C) 1819 5 November 1854
1852 1859 George Macartney (C) 1793
1854 1865 Thomas Henry Pakenham (C) 28 June 1826 20 February 1913
1859 1863 George Upton (C) 5 August 1802 4 January 1890
1863 1880 Hon. Edward O'Neill (C) 31 December 1839 19 November 1928
1865 1869 Henry Seymour (C) 20 March 1818 25 July 1869
1869 1874 Earl of Yarmouth (C) 22 October 1843 23 March 1912
1874 1885 James Chaine (C) 1841 4 May 1885
1880 1885 Edward MacNaghten (C) 3 February 1830 17 February 1913
1885 1885 William Pirrie Sinclair (L) 1837 1 November 1900

Notes:

MPs 1922–1950

Election Member Party Member Party
1922 Rt Hon. Charles Curtis Craig
18 February 1869 – 28 January 1960		 Ulster Unionist Rt Hon. Sir Hugh O'Neill, Bt
8 June 1883 – 28 November 1982		 Ulster Unionist
1929 Sir Joseph McConnell
17 September 1877 – 27 August 1942		 Ulster Unionist
1943 by-election John Dermot Campbell
20 January 1898 – 23 January 1945		 Ulster Unionist
1945 Samuel Gillmor Haughton
1 December 1889 – 19 May 1959		 Ulster Unionist
1950 constituency abolished. See North Antrim and South Antrim

Elections

In two-member elections the bloc voting system was used. Voters could cast a vote for one or two candidates, as they chose. The two candidates with the largest number of votes were elected. In by-elections, to fill a single seat, the first past the post system applied.

There was no election in 1801. The representatives of the county in the former Parliament of Ireland became members of the 1st Parliament of the United Kingdom.

After 1832, when registration of voters was introduced, a turnout figure is given for contested elections. In two-member elections, when the exact number of participating voters is unknown, this is calculated by dividing the number of votes by two. To the extent that voters did not use both their votes this will be an underestimate of turnout. If the electorate figure is unknown the last known electorate figure is used to provide an estimate of turnout.

Where a party had more than one candidate in one or both of a pair of successive elections change is calculated for each individual candidate, otherwise change is based on the party vote.

Elections in the 1940s

General Election 5 July 1945: Antrim (2 seats)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Ulster Unionist Rt Hon. Sir Hugh O'Neill, Bt 57,259 43.09 N/A
Ulster Unionist Samuel Gillmor Haughton 57,232 43.07 N/A
Labour (NI) Henry Holmes 18,403 12.79 N/A
Turnout 134,528 56.23 N/A
By-Election 11 February 1943: Antrim
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Ulster Unionist John Dermot Campbell 42,371 69.40 N/A
Labour (NI) Robert Getgood 17,253 28.26 N/A
Progressive Unionist R. H. Press 1,432 2.35 N/A
Majority 25,118 41.14 N/A
Turnout 135,795 44.96 N/A
Ulster Unionist hold Swing N/A

Elections in the 1930s

General Election 14 November 1935: Antrim (2 seats)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Ulster Unionist Sir Joseph McConnell, Bt Unopposed N/A N/A
Ulster Unionist Rt Hon. Sir Hugh O'Neill, Bt Unopposed N/A N/A
General Election 27 October 1931: Antrim (2 seats)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Ulster Unionist Sir Joseph McConnell, Bt Unopposed N/A N/A
Ulster Unionist Rt Hon. Sir Hugh O'Neill, Bt Unopposed N/A N/A

Elections in the 1920s

General Election 30 May 1929: Antrim (2 seats)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Ulster Unionist Rt Hon. R.W.H. O'Neill 53,864 37.53 -11.42
Ulster Unionist Sir Joseph McConnell, Bt 52,851 36.82 N/A
Liberal George Henderson 18,985 13.23 N/A
Liberal Robert Boyd 17,824 12.42 N/A
Turnout 123,474 58.57 -5.64
General Election 29 October 1924: Antrim (2 seats)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Ulster Unionist Rt Hon. Charles Curtis Craig 60,868 49.03 N/A
Ulster Unionist Rt Hon. Hugh O'Neill 60,764 48.95 N/A
Sinn Féin William McCormick 2,514 2.03 N/A
Turnout 98,616 64.21 N/A
General Election 6 December 1923: Antrim (2 seats)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Ulster Unionist Rt Hon. Charles Curtis Craig Unopposed N/A N/A
Ulster Unionist Rt Hon. Hugh O'Neill Unopposed N/A N/A
General Election 15 November 1922: Antrim (2 seats)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Ulster Unionist Charles Curtis Craig Unopposed N/A N/A
Ulster Unionist Rt Hon. Hugh O'Neill Unopposed N/A N/A

Elections in the 1880s

Antrim by-election, 1885
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal William Pirrie Sinclair 3,971 50.89 +50.89
Conservative Hon. Robert Torrens O'Neill 3,832 49.11 +49.11
Majority 139 1.78 N/A
Turnout 11,701 (1880) 66.69 -16.46
Liberal gain from Conservative Swing N/A
General Election 6 April 1880: Antrim (2 seats)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative James Chaine 5,124 26.33 -8.50
Conservative Edward MacNaghten 4,936 25.37 +25.37
Liberal Charles Wilson 4,789 24.61 -7.44
Liberal Samuel Black 4,610 23.69 +23.69
Turnout 11,701 83.15 +23.23

Elections in the 1870s

General Election 12 February 1874: Antrim (2 seats)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative James Chaine 4,356 34.83 +34.83
Conservative Hon. Edward O'Neill 4,142 33.12 +33.12
Liberal Charles Wilson 4,009 32.05 +2.95
Turnout 10,436 59.92 -7.36

Elections in the 1860s

Antrim by-election, 1869
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Hugh de Grey Seymour 5,588 70.90 N/A
Liberal Sir Robert Shafto Adair, Bt 2,294 29.10 N/A
Majority 3,294 41.79 N/A
Turnout 11,715 67.28 N/A
Conservative hold Swing N/A
General Election 23 November 1868: Antrim (2 seats)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Hon. Edward O'Neill Unopposed N/A N/A
Conservative George Henry Seymour Unopposed N/A N/A
Antrim by-election, 1866
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative George Henry Seymour Unopposed N/A N/A
Conservative hold Swing N/A
General Election 22 July 1865: Antrim (2 seats)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Edward O'Neill Unopposed N/A N/A
Conservative George Henry Seymour Unopposed N/A N/A
Antrim by-election, 1863
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Edward O'Neill Unopposed N/A N/A
Conservative hold Swing N/A

Elections in the 1850s

General Election 10 May 1859: Antrim (2 seats)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Thomas Henry Pakenham Unopposed N/A N/A
Conservative Hon. George Frederick Upton Unopposed N/A N/A
General Election 16 April 1857: Antrim (2 seats)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Thomas Henry Pakenham 4,686 44.38 N/A
Conservative George Macartney 4,341 41.11 N/A
Liberal Henry Hutchinson Hamilton O'Hara 1,533 14.52 N/A
Turnout 9,676 54.57 N/A
Antrim by-election, 1854
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Thomas Henry Pakenham Unopposed N/A N/A
Conservative hold Swing N/A
General Election 23 July 1852: Antrim (2 seats)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Edward William Pakenham Unopposed N/A N/A
Conservative George Macartney Unopposed N/A N/A

Elections in the 1840s

General Election 11 August 1847: Antrim (2 seats)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Nathaniel Alexander Unopposed N/A N/A
Conservative Sir Edmund Charles Workman MacNaghten, Bt Unopposed N/A N/A
Antrim by-election, 1845
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Sir Horace Beauchamp Seymour Unopposed N/A N/A
Conservative hold Swing N/A
General Election 13 July 1841: Antrim (2 seats)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative John Irving Unopposed N/A N/A
Conservative Nathaniel Alexander Unopposed N/A N/A
Antrim by-election, 1841
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Nathaniel Alexander Unopposed N/A N/A

Elections in the 1830s

General Election 5 August 1837: Antrim (2 seats)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Hon. John Bruce Richard O'Neill Unopposed N/A N/A
Conservative John Irving Unopposed N/A N/A
General Election 15 January 1835: Antrim (2 seats)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Hon. John Bruce Richard O'Neill Unopposed N/A N/A
Liberal Earl of Belfast Unopposed N/A N/A
General Election 2 January 1833: Antrim (2 seats)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Hon. John Bruce Richard O'Neill 1,719 28.86 N/A
Liberal Earl of Belfast 1,654 27.77 N/A
Conservative Edmund McDonnell 1,451 24.36 N/A
Conservative John Cromie 1,133 19.02 N/A
Turnout 3,487 86.78 N/A
General Election 21 May 1831: Antrim (2 seats)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Tory Hon. John Bruce Richard O'Neill Unopposed N/A N/A
Whig Earl of Belfast Unopposed N/A N/A
General Election 13 August 1830: Antrim (2 seats)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Tory Hon. John Bruce Richard O'Neill 839 40.12 N/A
Tory Earl of Belfast 719 34.39 N/A
Tory Edmund McDonnell 523 26.01 N/A
Non Partisan Lord Mark Kerr 10 0.48 N/A

Elections in the 1820s

General Election 20 June 1826: Antrim (2 seats)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Tory Hon. John Bruce Richard O'Neill Unopposed N/A N/A
Tory Edmond Alexander MacNaghten Unopposed N/A N/A
Antrim by-election, 1822
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Tory Viscount Beauchamp Unopposed N/A N/A
Tory hold Swing N/A
General Election 22 March 1820: Antrim (2 seats)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Tory Hon. John Bruce Richard O'Neill Unopposed N/A N/A
Tory Hugh Henry John Seymour Unopposed N/A N/A

Elections in the 1810s

General Election 27 June 1818: Antrim (2 seats)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Tory Hon. John Bruce Richard O'Neill Unopposed N/A N/A
Tory Hugh Henry John Seymour Unopposed N/A N/A
General Election 21 October 1812: Antrim (2 seats)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Tory Hon. John Bruce Richard O'Neill Unopposed N/A N/A
Tory Earl of Yarmouth Unopposed N/A N/A
Antrim by-election, 1812
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Tory Hon. John Bruce Richard O'Neill Unopposed N/A N/A
Tory hold Swing N/A
Antrim by-election, 1811
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Tory Hon. John Bruce Richard O'Neill Unopposed N/A N/A
Tory hold Swing N/A

Elections in the 19th century

General Election 18 May 1807: Antrim (2 seats)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Tory Hon. John Bruce Richard O'Neill Unopposed N/A N/A
Tory Edmond Alexander MacNaghten Unopposed N/A N/A
General Election 19 November 1806: Antrim (2 seats)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Tory Hon. John Bruce Richard O'Neill Unopposed N/A N/A
Tory Edmond Alexander MacNaghten Unopposed N/A N/A
General Election 19 July 1802: Antrim (2 seats)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Tory Hon. John Bruce Richard O'Neill Unopposed N/A N/A
Tory Edmond Alexander MacNaghten Unopposed N/A N/A
Co-option 1 January 1801: Antrim (2 seats)
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Non Partisan Right Hon. John Staples Co-opted N/A N/A
Tory Edmond Alexander MacNaghten Co-opted N/A N/A

References