Richard Connell (Irish politician) facts for kids
Richard Connell was an important person in Ireland a long time ago. He lived from 1650 to 1714. He worked as a Member of Parliament for a place called St Canice. He also held many important jobs in the cities of St Canice and Kilkenny.
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Richard Connell: A Public Servant
Richard Connell was a busy man who served his community in Ireland during the late 1600s and early 1700s. He held several important positions, showing his dedication to public service.
Early Life and Family
Richard Connell was born in 1650. His father, William Connell, was also a very active public servant. William was the mayor of Kilkenny twice, from 1671 to 1673. He also served as Sheriff in 1659 and 1660. Richard's mother was the daughter of John Bishop of Glandonnell. Richard was their oldest son.
Serving the Community
Richard followed in his father's footsteps, taking on many important roles in the cities of St Canice and Kilkenny.
What is a Member of Parliament?
A Member of Parliament (often called an MP) is a person chosen by people to represent them in the country's parliament. The parliament is like a big meeting where laws are made and important decisions for the country are discussed. Richard Connell was an MP for St Canice during several periods: from 1692 to 1693, from 1695 to 1699, and again from 1703 to 1713.
Roles in Kilkenny
Richard held several other important jobs in Kilkenny:
- Registrar of the Diocese of Ossory: This job was like being a chief record-keeper for the local church area.
- Sheriff of Kilkenny City: The Sheriff was an important official responsible for keeping law and order in the city.
- Alderman: An alderman was a senior member of the city council, helping to make decisions about how the city was run.
- Mayor of Kilkenny: Richard was chosen to be the mayor of Kilkenny twice, serving from 1685 to 1687. The mayor is the head of the city government.
A Special Recognition
On February 5, 1685, while he was mayor, Richard Connell received a special award called a grant of arms. This is like getting a unique family symbol or design, often called a coat of arms, that represents a person or family. It was a way to recognize his importance and achievements.
