James O'Kelly (politician) facts for kids
James Joseph O'Kelly (born 1845 – died 22 December 1916) was an important figure in Irish history. He was a journalist and a politician. He served as a Member of Parliament (MP) in the British Parliament for the Roscommon area in Ireland. He was part of the Irish Parliamentary Party from 1880 until his death in 1916.
Early Life
James O'Kelly was born in 1845. His family came from County Roscommon in Ireland. His father, John O'Kelly, owned a business in Dublin that made things from metal and built carts. James went to school in Dublin.
When he was young, James went to London to learn how to sculpt from his uncle, John Lawlor. But his father wanted him to come back and work in the family business. After his father passed away in 1861, James's family moved to London. James went back to work with his uncle for two years. After that, he decided to join the French Foreign Legion, which is a famous part of the French Army.
Adventures and Journalism
James O'Kelly traveled to Mexico with the French Foreign Legion. Around 1865, he left the Legion and went to Baltimore in the United States. This was his first time in America. He soon returned to London.
He became a journalist in London. Later, he went back to America in 1871 to meet John Devoy, an important Irish-American leader. James got a job as a journalist with the New York Herald newspaper. He was very good at his job and became their Drama Critic and Art Editor. He also bought and sold paintings through a famous art gallery in New York.
James O'Kelly reported on a rebellion happening in Cuba. He also joined American soldiers in their fight against the Sioux chief, Sitting Bull.
A Return to Politics
In the 1880s, James O'Kelly came back to Ireland. He became very active in politics. In the general election of 1880, he was elected as an MP for Roscommon. He was part of the Home Rule League, a group that wanted Ireland to have more control over its own laws.
In October 1881, Charles Stewart Parnell, who was the leader of the Irish Party, was arrested. James O'Kelly and other party members, like John Dillon and William O'Brien, were also put in Kilmainham Gaol prison. They were held there until May 1882.
In December 1883, James O'Kelly traveled to Sudan with his brother, Aloysius. Aloysius was an artist who drew pictures of wars. James reported on the River War for the Daily News newspaper. He also wrote articles for a French newspaper in Cairo, Egypt.
James O'Kelly continued to be elected as an MP for Roscommon North in many elections. When the Irish Parliamentary Party split in 1890 over Parnell's leadership, O'Kelly supported Parnell. He lost his seat in the 1892 election but won it back in 1895. He was then elected without anyone running against him in later elections until he passed away in 1916.
He also worked as a representative for the Irish Independent newspaper in the British Parliament in London. His brother was the famous painter Aloysius O'Kelly.
