Life
1800-1891 [The O’Gorman Mahon]; b. 17 March, Ennis, Co. Clare; ed.
priv. and TCD; MA 1826 [var. 1825]; encouraged O’Connell to contest
Clare seat; elected for Clare, 1830, but unseated for bribery, 1830; unsuccessfully
contested the seat again in 1831, quarrelling with O’Connell, who
supporter his opponent; bar, 1834; travelled in Europe, meeting Talleyrand,
Louis Phillipe, and others; travelled in Africa, East and South America,
returning to Ireland, 1846; MP Ennis, 1847-52; defeated by 123 votes in
election, 1852; life of adventure under many flags, 1852-71, as lieutenant
in body-guard of Tsar; toured China, India, and served in Turkish and
Austrian armies; general in army of Uraguay and commanded Chilean fleet
against Spain; soldier of fortune in Brazil, becoming colonel of national
army; fought for Union in American Civil War, 1861-65; next served as
colonel in regt. of Chasseurs, under Napoleon III; friend of Bismarck
while residing in Berlin from 1867; returned to Ireland as Home Ruler,
1871; Home Rule Convention delegate, 1873; supported Parnell; MP Clare,
1879, retaining it in general election of 1880, with fellow-candidate
Capt. O’Shea, whom he introduced Parnell; retired from politics,
1885-87; MP Carlow, 1887-91; repudiated Parnell, 1890; noted duellist
of some 13 encounters; d. 15 June, Sydney St., London. DNB DIB DIH
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Princess Grace Irish Library (Monaco)