The 1713 Dublin election riot exposed sectarian and partisan tensions during Ireland's general election, resulting in military intervention and one death.
Key Facts
- Election year
- 1713 Irish General Election
- Constituency
- Dublin City (returned 2 MPs)
- Deaths
- 1 killed by troops
- Voting venue
- Tholsel, centre of Dublin
- Election outcome (Dublin)
- Whigs secured both seats
- Blame assigned to
- James Cotter, Catholic Jacobite from Cork
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
The contested 1713 Irish General Election in Dublin City was marked by deep Whig-Tory rivalry, with the Hanoverian Succession as an undercurrent. The Whigs moved the polling from the traditional Blue Coat School to the Tholsel, which they considered a stronghold, and on polling day occupied nearly the entire building, excluding Tory supporters.
Angered by their exclusion from the Tholsel, a group of Tory supporters stormed the building and dismantled the voting platform. A detachment of the Irish Army was called in to restore order but was attacked with planks of wood. The troops opened fire, killing one man and wounding several others before authorities arranged a compromise allowing Whigs and Tories to vote in separate buildings.
Despite a national Tory victory, the Whigs won both Dublin City seats. Many Tory votes were later found invalid under the Penal Laws. Blame for the riot was placed on Catholic Jacobite James Cotter, and scrutiny also fell on an associate of Lord Chancellor Constantine Phipps, implicating Tory leadership in the disorder.
Political Outcome
Whigs secured both Dublin City seats despite a national Tory victory; many Tory votes invalidated under Penal Laws; riot led to military intervention and one death.
Tory-dominated Irish Parliament with Whig opposition
Whigs retained Dublin City seats; national Parliament remained Tory-dominated