Kilkenny City by-election, 1880

The Kilkenny City by-election of 1880 took place on 26 February 1880. It arose due to the resignation of the incumbent Liberal MP, Benjamin Whitworth, in order to contest Drogheda. A Mr. Doherty, from Dublin, went forward as a Home Rule candidate, but withdrew, since he had accepted some government contracts.^[1] The only candidate nominated was John Francis Smithwick, who was declared elected unopposed.^[2] Smithwick, although described in The Times as a Liberal, was known as strong supporter of Home Rule.^[3] Doherty ran against Smithwick in the general election, less than two months later, as a Home Rule candidate. Smithwick won by 318 votes to 204.^[4]

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