O'Shea, Capt. William

The Oxford Companion to Irish History | 2007 | 700+ words | Copyright

O'Shea, Capt. William (1840–1905), politician, and Katherine (1845–1921), mistress and later wife of Parnell. Born in Dublin, son of a Catholic solicitor, O'Shea married Katherine, youngest daughter of Revd Sir John Page Wood, in 1867. As home rule MP for Clare 1880–5, he connived at his wife's affair with Parnell while exploiting his connection with the nationalist leader for political advantage. As a political intermediary O'Shea made the initial contacts which resulted in the Kilmainham treaty, but was an untrustworthy contact between Parnell and Joseph Chamberlain on the Central Board scheme, 1884–5. Refusing to vote for home rule in 1886, he resigned his seat. Hoping to benefit from a legacy due on the death of Katherine's Aunt Ben, O'Shea did not expose his wife's adultery until the will (1889) disappointed his expectations. He then instituted the divorce petition that destroyed Parnell's career.

James Loughlin

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