The 1880 Kilkenny City by-election took place on 26 February 1880. It arose due to the resignation of the incumbent Liberal MP, Benjamin Whitworth, in order to contest Drogheda. A Mr. Doherty, from Dublin, went forward as a Home Rule candidate, but withdrew, since he had accepted some government contracts.'Election Intelligence', The Times, 23 February 1880 The only candidate nominated was John Francis Smithwick, who was declared elected unopposed.'Election Intelligence', The Times, 27 February 1880 Smithwick, although described in The Times as a Liberal, was known as a strong supporter of Home Rule.'Letters to the Editor', The Times, 4 March 1880 Doherty ran against Smithwick in the general election, less than two months later, as a Home Rule candidate. Smithwick won by 318 votes to 204.Debrett's Illustrated House of Commons and the Judicial Bench, 1882 (Dean and Son, 1882) page 272.
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