Lord Lieutenant of Ireland

The Lord Lieutenant of Ireland (also known as the Viceroy or in the Middle Ages as the Lord Deputy) was the head of the Kingdom of England's (before the Act of Union 1707) or Kingdom of Great Britain's (after 1707) administration in Ireland.

Role in Government

The Lord Lieutenant's government was not in any real way responsible to the Irish Parliament, prior to parliament's abolition thanks to the Act of Union 1800. Nevertheless, he did hold a formal State Opening of Parliament, delivering his speech outlining his government policy programme from the throne on the dias in the Irish House of Lords.

Related Topics:
Irish Parliament - Act of Union 1800 - State Opening of Parliament - Irish House of Lords

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

By the mid 19th century, the Lord Lieutenant's role changed substantially. Though still the official representative of the sovereign, the day to day role of governing fell to the Chief Secretary for Ireland, who was in effect the prime minister of the British administration in Ireland. Many nineteenth century Lords Lieutenant were not even nominally members of the British Cabinet, while the supposedly more junior Chief Secretary usually was.

Related Topics:
19th century - Chief Secretary for Ireland

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The Lord Lieutenant of Ireland (also known as the Viceroy or in the Middle Ages as the Lord Deputy) was the head of England's (pre-1707) or Britain's (post 1707) administration in Ireland.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The office was originally the central focus of English/British administration in Ireland under the Lordship of Ireland (1171-1541), the Kingdom of Ireland (1541-1800) and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland (1801-1922). As the name suggests, the holder was in effect the King's representative; the word viceroy comes from the French vice roi or deputy king. Though earlier Lords Deputy had been Irish noblemen, from the Middle Ages, with the very odd exception, only English or British noblemen were appointed to the office.

Related Topics:
Lordship of Ireland - Kingdom of Ireland - United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~