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; served as lieutenant in body-guard of Tsar; toured China, India, and served in Turkish and Austrian armies; general in army of Uruguay 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 his seat in the 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. ODNB DIB DIH
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