1917 East Clare by-election

The East Clare by-election of 1917 was held on 10 July 1917. It followed the death of the incumbent MP, Willie Redmond of the Irish Parliamentary Party, who was killed in action during the First World War. The seat had been held since its creation in 1885 by constitutional nationalist MPs, and Redmond had been unopposed in every election since 1900. The result was announced on 11 July 1917.

It was won by the Sinn Féin candidate Éamon de Valera who had campaigned in military uniform. De Valera tried to appeal to the electorate by playing the Catholic card; he had parish priests preside over his meetings.[1]

By-election 10 July 1917: Clare East

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±
	Sinn Féin	Éamon de Valera	5010	71.1
	Irish Parliamentary	Patrick Lynch	2035	28.9
Majority			2975	42.2
Turnout			9130	77.2
	Sinn Féin gain from IPP		Swing

References

1. http://www.leighrayment.com/commons.htm