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William O'Shea
CaptWilliamOShea.jpg
O'Shea c. 1880
Member of Parliament for Galway Borough
In office
1886–1886
Preceded by T. P. O'Connor
Succeeded by John Pinkerton
Member of Parliament for Clare
In office
1880–1885
Serving with James Patrick Mahon
Preceded by James Patrick Mahon
Lord Francis Conyngham
Succeeded by Constituency abolished
Personal details
Born 1840
Dublin, Ireland, UK
Died 22 April 1905 (aged 65)
Political party Independent Nationalist
Spouse
Katharine O'Shea
(m. 1867; div. 1890)
Military service
Allegiance  United Kingdom
Branch/service British Army
Rank Captain
Unit 18th Royal Hussars

Captain William Henry O'Shea (1840 – 22 April 1905) was an Irish soldier and a Member of Parliament. He is known for his role in Irish politics during the late 1800s.

William O'Shea's Early Life

William O'Shea was born in Dublin, Ireland, in 1840. He chose a career in the military. He became a captain in the 18th Hussars. This was a cavalry unit of the British Army.

His Family Life

In 1867, William O'Shea married Katharine O'Shea. She was from Essex, England. Their marriage later ended in divorce in 1890.

William O'Shea's Political Career

William O'Shea was involved in politics in Ireland. He served as a Member of Parliament (MP) for two different areas.

Representing Clare

From 1880 to 1885, O'Shea was the MP for Clare. This was an important time in Irish history. He worked to represent the people of his area in the British Parliament.

Representing Galway Borough

In 1886, O'Shea also served a short time as the MP for Galway Borough. Even though he was supported by the Irish nationalist leader Charles Stewart Parnell, O'Shea was an Independent Nationalist. This means he did not belong to Parnell's political group, the Irish Parliamentary Party.

His Role in Key Negotiations

In 1882, the British government was talking secretly with Charles Stewart Parnell. Parnell was a very important Irish leader. He was being held in Kilmainham Gaol at the time. The government wanted to discuss his release.

Joseph Chamberlain, a government official, chose William O'Shea to help with these talks. O'Shea spent several hours negotiating with Parnell in prison. He helped to get an agreement that Parnell would support the government after his release. This agreement was important for the politics of the time.

Resignation from Parliament

In 1886, there were some public discussions about O'Shea's personal life. These discussions appeared in a newspaper called the Pall Mall Gazette. Because of this, O'Shea decided not to vote on a major law called the First Irish Home Rule bill. The very next day, he resigned from his seat in Parliament.

Later Life

William O'Shea filed for divorce in December 1889. This happened after his wife's aunt passed away. The aunt had left her money to Katharine O'Shea. This inheritance was part of the reason for the divorce proceedings. However, the aunt's will was later changed. The money was then shared among Katharine O'Shea's siblings.

William O'Shea passed away on April 22, 1905, at the age of 65.

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