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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. The only candidate nominated was John Francis Smithwick, who was declared elected unopposed. Smithwick, although described in The Times as a Liberal, was known as a strong supporter of Home Rule. 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.

References

1. 'Election Intelligence', The Times, 23 February 1880
2. 'Election Intelligence', The Times, 27 February 1880
3. 'Letters to the Editor', The Times, 4 March 1880
4. Debrett's Illustrated House of Commons and the Judicial Bench, 1882 (Dean and Son, 1882) page 272.

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• 1880 elections in the United Kingdom
• February 1880 events
• By-elections to the Parliament of the United Kingdom in County Kilkenny constituencies
• Unopposed by-elections to the Parliament of the United Kingdom in Irish constituencies
• 1880 elections in Ireland
• By-elections to the Parliament of the United Kingdom in Irish constituency stubs