Contains 62 items, last updated on 07/01/07
Daniel O'Connell (1775-1847) was hailed by Catholic and nationalist Ireland as 'The Liberator' in the early nineteenth century, but decried for his pacificism and compromises by later 'physical force' spokesmen. He used the framework of law to win greater achievements than many of his traducers. This selection of images reflects his life and achievements and the controversy he aroused. In addition to the usual British, hostile cartoons and caricatures of O'Connell, it draws on two Irish collections. One is hostile, reflecting the Ulster Protestants' opposition to Repeal and their determination to maintain the Union with Britain - for further information, please see, 'Repelling the Repealers: Willam McComb's caricatures of Daniel O'Connell' by Patrick Maume, History Ireland, March/April 2005, Vol. 13 No. 2, pp 43-7. The other Irish collection is sympathetic to Irish nationalism - for further information, please see, '"Hints and Hits": Irish Caricature and the Trial of Daniel O'Connell, 1843-4' by Peter Gray, History Ireland, Winter 2004, Vol. 12 No. 4, pp 45-51.