Declining Leadership
Portrait of Isaac Butt, by John B. Yeats
Portrait of Isaac Butt (1813-1879) by the artist John B. Yeats, who knew Butt personally. Butt is remembered as the Father of Home Rule.
Courtesy of the National Gallery of Ireland.Portrait of Isaac Butt, by John B. Yeats
Courtesy of the National Gallery of Ireland.
Courtesy of the National Gallery of Ireland.
Portrait of Isaac Butt, by John B. Yeats
Portrait of Isaac Butt (1813-1879) by the artist John B. Yeats, who knew Butt personally. Butt is remembered as the Father of Home Rule.
Courtesy of the National Gallery of Ireland.Although the Home Rule League gained in membership and support in Ireland, Butt began to be seen as an ineffective leader. He was often absent from Westminster, as he had to work as a barrister to pay off his many debts. His polite approach in Parliament was also seen as a sign of weakness by those in the Home Rule Party who wished to obstruct Parliamentary business.
Butt did not approve of obstructionism and firmly believed in gaining support through diplomatic means. This distanced him further from his party and in 1879 he was replaced by William Shaw as leader of the Home Rule League. Shaw was replaced by the charismatic and popular Charles Stewart Parnell in 1880, and the party became more organised.
Lasting Legacy
The Grave of Isaac Butt, Stranorlar, Co. Donegal
Photograph of the burial place of Isaac Butt (1813-1879) in Stranorlar, Co. Donegal. The simple headstone has the following inscription: 'In memory of Isaac Butt, born 6th September 1813. Died 5th May 1879.' This was in accordance with his stated wishes made during his final illness: 'Put no inscription over the grave, except the date of my birth; and, wherever I am buried, let the funeral be perfectly private, with as few persons attending, and as little show and expense as possible.'
www.finnvalley.ieThe Grave of Isaac Butt, Stranorlar, Co. Donegal
www.finnvalley.ie
www.finnvalley.ie
The Grave of Isaac Butt, Stranorlar, Co. Donegal
Photograph of the burial place of Isaac Butt (1813-1879) in Stranorlar, Co. Donegal. The simple headstone has the following inscription: 'In memory of Isaac Butt, born 6th September 1813. Died 5th May 1879.' This was in accordance with his stated wishes made during his final illness: 'Put no inscription over the grave, except the date of my birth; and, wherever I am buried, let the funeral be perfectly private, with as few persons attending, and as little show and expense as possible.'
www.finnvalley.ieThe Home Rule Movement was a very important part of the progress towards Irish independence, which was eventually secured in 1921. Butt has been called the 'Father of Home Rule'. His influence and passion were important in kick-starting the movement and setting in train a series of historical events.
Butt retired from public life and died in May 1879 in Clonskeagh in Dublin. His remains were brought by train to Stranorlor Co. Donegal, where he is buried in a corner of the Church of Ireland cemetary beneath a tree in which he used to sit and dream as a boy.
Butt retired from public life and died in May 1879 in Clonskeagh in Dublin. His remains were brought by train to Stranorlor Co. Donegal, where he is buried in a corner of the Church of Ireland cemetary beneath a tree in which he used to sit and dream as a boy.