June 1654: An Ordinance for distribution of the Elections in Ireland.

June, 1654

[27 June, 1654.]

Rules for distribution of elections in Ireland.

Whereas by the Government of the Commonwealth of England, Scotland, and Ireland, publickly declared at Westminster the sixteenth day of December, One thousand six hundred fiftie three, It is declared, That the distribution of the persons to bee chosen for Ireland, and the several Counties, Cities, and places within the same, shall bee according to such proportions and number as shall be agreed upon and declared by the Lord Protector, and the major part of the Council, before the sending forth Writs of Summons for the next Parlament. And whereas His Highness and the major part of the Council, before the sending forth of any Writs of Summons aforesaid, did agree and declare the distribution of the persons to bee chosen for Ireland, according to the proportion and numbers hereafter mentioned. It is therefore Ordained, declared and agreed by His Highness the Lord Protector, with the consent of the Council, That the persons to bee chosen for Ireland, and the several Counties, Cities, and places within the same, shall bee according to the proportion and number hereafter exprest; (That is to say) For the Province of Lemster, Ten; (that is to say) for the Counties of Meath and Louth, Two; and the place of meeting for the election of such persons shall be at Drogheda. For the Counties of Kyldare and Wickloe, Two; For the Countie and Citie of Dublin, Two; and the place for the Election of such persons shall bee at Dublin. For the Counties of Carlo, Wexford, Kilkenny and Queenis, Two; and the place of meeting for the Election of such persons shall be at Carlo. For the Counties of Westmeath Longford, and King's, Two, and the place of meeting for the election of such persons shall be at Mullingar. For the Province of Ulster, Seven, That is to say, for the Counties of Down, Antrym and Armagh, Two: for the Towns of Carrickfergus, and Belfast, one; and the place of meeting for the Election of such persons shall bee at Belfast. For the Counties of Derry, Dungall and Tyrone, two; for the Towns of Derry and Colerane, one; and the place of meeting for the Election of such persons shall bee at Derry. For the Counties of Cavan, Fermanagh, and Monaghan, one; and the place of meeting for the Election of such persons shall be at Inneskellyn. For the Province of Munster, nine; that is to say, for the Counties of Kerry, Limerick and Clare, two; and the place of meeting for the Election of such persons shall bee at Rabeal. For the Citie and Countie of the Citie of Lymerick, and Kilmalloch, one; and the place of meeting for the Election of such persons shall bee at Lymerick. For the Countie of Cork one; for the Towns of Corke, and Youghall, one; and the place of meeting for the Election of such persons shall be at Corke. For the Towns of Bandon and Kinsale, one; and the place of meeting for the Election of such persons shall bee at Bandon: For the Counties of Waterford and Typerary, two; and the place of meeting for the Election of such persons shall bee at Clonmell. For the Cities of Waterford and Clonmell, one; and the place of meeting for the Election of such persons shall be at Waterford. For the Province of Conaught, except the Countie of Clare, four; that is to say, for the Counties of Sligo, Roscommon and Letrym, two; and the place of meeting for the Election of such persons shall bee at Jame's Town. For the Counties of Galloway and Maio, two; and the place of meeting for the Election of such persons shall bee at Galloway.

Rules for Irish elections

And it is further Ordained by His said Highness the Lord Protector, with the consent of the Council aforesaid, That for the effectual and orderly Election of the persons aforesaid, to bee chosen to sit and serve in Parlament, as in the said Government is declared; several Writs under the Great Seal of England shall issue, and bee directed to the several Sheriffs of the aforesaid Counties and Cities, to make the respective Elections of the respective persons to serve in Parlament, for the said respective Counties, Cities, Towns and Boroughs, according to the Distributions herein before declared: which Writs the Chancellor, Keeper, or Commissioners of the Great Seal of England, for the time being, shall Seal, Issue, and send forth.