Kitty O'Shea, Mistress and Later, the Wife of Parnell

Kitty O’Shea, also known as Katharine O’Shea and later Katharine Parnell, is a figure of significant historical interest, primarily due to her relationship with Charles Stewart Parnell, a leading Irish nationalist politician in the late 19th century. Her involvement with Parnell had profound personal and political ramifications.

Background

Katharine O’Shea, often called Kitty by the press and in popular discourse, was born Katharine Wood in 1845. She came from a well-off family and was considered an attractive and intelligent woman.

Marriage to Captain William O’Shea

In 1867, she married Captain William O’Shea, an Irish Member of Parliament, though their marriage was reportedly unhappy. The couple had three children together.

Meeting Charles Stewart Parnell

Kitty O’Shea met Charles Stewart Parnell, who was then a rising star in Irish politics, in 1880. They soon began an affair, although this was kept relatively private for several years. Parnell was the leader of the Irish Parliamentary Party and was a key figure in the Home Rule movement, which sought to gain self-governance for Ireland.

Impact of the Affair on Parnell’s Career

The affair was kept secret for some time, but it became public knowledge when William O’Shea filed for divorce in 1890, naming Parnell as the co-respondent. The resulting scandal was enormous and had significant political implications. Parnell’s moral standing was heavily criticized, particularly by the Catholic Church in Ireland, which was influential in Irish politics.

Divorce and Marriage

The divorce was finalized in 1891, and Kitty O’Shea and Charles Stewart Parnell were married in June of that year. However, by this time, Parnell’s political career had suffered irreparable damage.

Parnell’s Death

Parnell died in October 1891, just a few months after their marriage, at the age of 45. His health had deteriorated, partly due to the stress of the scandal and the subsequent political fallout.

Kitty O’Shea’s Later Life

After Parnell’s death, Katharine Parnell lived a relatively quiet life. She wrote a memoir titled “Charles Stewart Parnell: His Love Story and Political Life,” published in 1914, which gave her account of their relationship. She passed away in 1921.

Kitty O’Shea’s relationship with Charles Stewart Parnell had a profound impact on Irish history. Parnell’s fall from grace following the scandal contributed to a split in the Irish Parliamentary Party and affected the course of the Irish Home Rule movement. Her name has since been somewhat controversially remembered in Irish history, often overshadowed by her association with one of Ireland’s most important political figures.