a political apprenticeship with his father at the House of Commons. His political sponsor was Rev. Patrick M. Furlong (1844–1914), born in Carne, Co. Wexford, who became a curate of New Ross Roman Catholic parish in 1871 and was parish priest by 1879, finding a secular outlet for his considerable abilities in the newly founded Land League. Furlong and Redmond would remain lifelong friends, despite a period of political estrangement during the Parnell split.
TO MARY J. REDMOND [MOTHER]
73 South Mall, Cork, Telegram
2 November 1880:
Father is in Heaven died in my arms yesterday funeral tomorrow Wexford High Mass Howe St. will write back soon1
TO FR. PATRICK FURLONG, PP NEW ROSS
40 Charlewood St., London S.W.,
22 December 1880:
Allow me in the first place to thank you for the high opinion you express as to my qualifications. So far as that opinion relates to the fact of my being heart and soul with the people at the present crisis, it is a truthful one.
In reply to your letter, I beg to say my great desire would have been to succeed my father in Wexford [Borough], and it was only after a tough struggle with my feelings that I was able to withdraw in favour of Healy. My desire still would be, at the very first opportunity to ask the electors of Wexford for their votes, and in the event of a dissolution of Parliament, Mr. Healy has been good enough to say he would go elsewhere, if the people still desired me to represent them.
I would be very proud to stand for [New] Ross if adopted by the popular party, and if elected the opportunity might still arise when I would be able to gratify my sentiment of representing Wexford, as when the general election comes, Mr. Healy and I might, if the electors were willing, change places …
I have no doubt I would have Mr. Parnell’s support and of course, I would not dream of standing unless adopted by the popular party in Ross. In the event of a contest, I suppose the popular party are certain to succeed.
I should be glad to hear from you again and to know when there is a probability of Mr. Foley [Home Rule MP for New Ross since the 1880 general election] actually resigning. I presume matters will be so arranged that his resignation and the name of the popular candidate will be announced simultaneously.
It is unnecessary for me to go into my political opinions in writing for you know they coincide exactly with your own.2
TO FR. PATRICK FURLONG, PP NEW ROSS
40 Charlewood St., London S.W.,
29 December 1880:
… I shall not make any move whatever until I hear from you again. In fact, I place myself entirely in your hands and will go over whenever you think it best. I see my name has got into the papers and the paragraphs are, as usual, incorrect …
I presume the expense of a contest would be much the same as in Wexford – if it were likely to be very much more it might cause me some inconvenience unless I had timely notice.
In Wexford at the general election I did everything for my poor father and we dispensed with the services of a solicitor as a conducting agent. I suppose we could do the same in Ross, in which case the expenses must of necessity be small.
I suppose the only chance of opposition is from [Lieut.-Col. Charles] Tottenham [three times elected Conservative MP for New Ross, whose family owned most of the town].
Trusting to have the pleasure of seeing you before long …3
***
Redmond was elected unopposed for New Ross Borough on 1 February 1881. His initiation as Member of Parliament took place in turbulent circumstances. He was sworn in on the evening of 2 February. The following day, he was one of 27 Irish MPs ejected from the House of Commons after news of the arrest of Land League founder Michael Davitt had ignited an Irish Party protest, during which Liberal Prime Minister William Gladstone had moved the suspension of its leader Charles Stewart Parnell.
TO FR. PATRICK FURLONG, PP NEW ROSS
40 Charlewood St., London S.W., ‘Wednesday’
[2 February] 1881:
On arriving at the House this morning I found the fight had been suddenly stopped by a ruling of the Speaker of which I fancy we are destined to hear a good deal.
I expected to be able to take my seat at twelve, but a motion for adjournment unexpectedly made by A.M. S[ullivan] on a question, has given rise to a debate which will probably last all the sitting.
In that case, I cannot take the oath until tomorrow. Our ‘chaps’ are full of fight but, I fear, if the rulings of the Speaker are maintained it will be difficult to make a successful stand.
P.S. There is a rumour that the Government intend to suspend Habeas Corpus at once by proclamation of the Queen, which they can do if they choose.4
***
Joseph Biggar MP, Frank Hugh O’Donnell MP and James Lysaght Finegan MP were three of a group of Irish members, including Parnell, elected in the 1870s who favoured the ‘active policy’ of parliamentary obstruction to speed the cause of Home Rule.
During February, Parnell went to Paris to meet with prominent French political figures including the writer Victor Hugo and the Communard Henri Rochefort.
Redmond spoke powerfully in the debates on the Coercion Bill, which passed the House of Commons on 28 February 1881.
William ‘Buckshot’ Forster MP was Chief Secretary for Ireland in 1881.
TO FR. PATRICK FURLONG, PP NEW ROSS
House of Commons,
26 February 1881:
… What is thought of the fight made against the Coercion Bill? I think the great error was allowing ourselves to be suspended while the New Rules were passed. Only for that incident it would have taken some time to pass them and they would probably have been modified. On the whole I think we did as well as could be expected – Parnell’s absence was and is a great injury to effective action by the Party and I am most anxious for him to return[,] the more so as I don’t anticipate much practical result from his work in Paris … I would employ any means against the English Government but I don’t think Rochfort [sic] and that lot can do anything for us and I think Parnell is wasting his time.
I have already tasted something of the anger of the House ... I must say it is not nearly so unpleasant a sensation as I fancied. I had got up quite without preparation and the only effect the shouts had was to inspire me with plenty to say. Tim Healy, however, bears off the palm – I think if English members could they would flay him alive. He is able to rile them more than Biggar, O’Donnell and Finegan rolled into one.
Did you see our invasion of Forster’s constituency – Bradford? It was rather cheeky for the two youngest members of the Irish Party to beard the lion in his den …5
TO FR. PATRICK FURLONG, PP NEW ROSS
House of Commons, 25 April 1881:
… I have been making a ‘provincial tour’ and have addressed some fine meetings in the north of England
