DANIEL O’CONNELL – KING OF THE HUMBUGGERS? by Donal Kennedy

Recently “SIGHING FOR  A BRACE OF DUELLING PISTOLS”  I took issue with some commentators who invoke Daniel O’Connell’s name to further their own perverse, if not perverted, political agendas.

The late Sean O’Faolain wrote a most readable book on O’Connell called “King of the Beggars.” It might be appropriate to pen another called “King of the Humbuggers” .  I’m told that in his lifetime O’Connell was offered the Kingship of the Belgians, but that he declined it. Otherwise Belgium’s highest decoration today would be named after King Daniel, rather than King Leopold of Congo Infamy.

Of all the humbugs to invoke O’Connell, none can be sillier than Father Seumas Murphy SJ of Loyola University in California, who tells us that Daniel O’Connell never shot anybody.

Not only did O’Connell shoot John d’Esterre dead in a duel in 1815, but he had as his Second, the noted duellest John “Fireballs” MacNamara from County Clare. Father Murphy has earned the soubriquet “Writeballs” Murphy, Prince of the Humbuggers.”

I write to inform, to amuse and to irritate readers. I don’t knowingly misinform and would welcome correction if I make a mistaken assertion. If my arguments cannot be sustained from my premises I’d like advice. So please, please indicate that you like or dislike what I’ve written. If you can add to my observations please do.