In 1920, the Government of Ireland Act was passed by Parliament. Aspects of the Act relating to Northern Ireland came into effect on 3rd May 1921.
To mark the centenary of the commencement of this highly significant Act, we have selected a number of artworks from our collection. The Parliamentary Art Collection documents the history, people and buildings of Parliament, reflecting key moments in UK history.
This selection ranges from large group portraits of the House of Lords debating Irish Home Rule, to beautiful Northern Irish landscapes.
You can read more about the Government of Ireland Act on Parliament's website: https://www.parliament.uk/about/living-heritage/evolutionofparliament/legislativescrutiny/parliamentandireland/
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Home Rule
Three large group portraits highlight the significance of Irish Home Rule for Parliament during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Parliament debated on the subject for decades.
Two large works depict the House of Lords debating the second Home Rule Bill, which they rejected in 1898.
An unusual 'grisaille' (monochrome) group portrait, The Men Who Made Home Rule, followed the successful passing of the third Home Rule Bill in 1912, the commencement of which was disrupted by the outbreak of the First World War.
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The Home Rule Debate in House of Lords, 1893, Lord Chancellor about to Put the Question
The Home Rule Debate in House of Lords, 1893, Lord Chancellor about to Put the Question
Dickinson (active 1890–1910) and Foster (active 1890–1910)
Oil on canvas
H 205.8 x W 365.8 cm
Parliamentary Art Collection
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The Home Rule Debate in House of Lords, 1893, Gladstone's Second Bill Rejected, Marquess of Salisbury Speaking
The Home Rule Debate in House of Lords, 1893, Gladstone's Second Bill Rejected, Marquess of Salisbury Speaking 1893
Dickinson (active 1890–1910) and Foster (active 1890–1910)
Oil on canvas
H 205.8 x W 365.8 cm
Parliamentary Art Collection
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Irish House of Commons, 1914, The Men who Made Home Rule
Irish House of Commons, 1914, The Men who Made Home Rule c.1914The figures depicted are (standing, from left to right): P.A. Collins; Edmund Dwyer-Gray MP; Alex Sullivan; John Ferguson; Boyle O’Reilly; P. Egan; John Barry MP; John Redmond MP; Charles Stewart Parnell MP; Timothy Michael Healy MP; Michael Davitt MP; Timothy Daniel Sullivan MP; Thomas Power O’Connor MP; T. Brennan; Sir Thomas Grattan Esmonde MP; Sheridan; Timothy Harrington MP; (seated, from left to right): Justin McCarthy MP; John Dillon MP; Rev. Professor Galbraith; The Most Rev. Dr. Walsh Archbishop of Dublin; The Most Rev. Dr. Croke Archbishop of Cashel; Thomas Sexton MP; Joseph Biggar MP; William O’Brien MP
William Drummond Young (1855–1924)
Oil on canvas
H 137.2 x W 228.6 cm
Parliamentary Art Collection
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Politicians
Painted portraits and busts of some of the Irish and Northern Irish politicians represented in the collection.
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Charles Stewart Parnell (1846–1891), Irish Patriot
Charles Stewart Parnell (1846–1891), Irish Patriot
Yann Renard-Goulet (1914–1999)
Bronze
Parliamentary Art Collection
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John Edward Redmond (1856–1918), Leader of Irish Nationalist Party
John Edward Redmond (1856–1918), Leader of Irish Nationalist Party 1910
Francis William Doyle Jones (1873–1938)
Bronze
Parliamentary Art Collection
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Reverend Dr Ian Paisley (1926-2014), MP
Reverend Dr Ian Paisley (1926–2014), MP 2008
Mark Shields (b.1963)
Oil on canvas
H 105.6 x W 86 cm
Parliamentary Art Collection
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Sir Edward Carson (1854–1935), Lord Carson of Duncairn
Sir Edward Carson (1854–1935), Lord Carson of Duncairn
Ross Wilson (b.1958)
Parliamentary Art Collection
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Landscapes
The Parliamentary Art Collection holds landscapes depicting different constituencies throughout the UK.
Two Northern Irish constituencies were also captured as part of the 2010 Election Artist commission, during which photographer Simon Roberts followed the campaign trail of candidates from different political parties around the UK.
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Devenish Island, Fermanagh
Devenish Island, Fermanagh 2004
R. J. Brian Coulter (b.1957)
Acrylic on board
H 59.4 x W 42 cm
Parliamentary Art Collection
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Enniskillen, Fermanagh
Enniskillen, Fermanagh 2004
R. J. Brian Coulter (b.1957)
Acrylic on board
H 59.4 x W 48.8 cm
Parliamentary Art Collection
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Beaghmore, Tyrone
Beaghmore, Tyrone 2004
Jasper McKinney (b.1961)
Acrylic on board
H 59.4 x W 42 cm
Parliamentary Art Collection
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Beaghmore, Tyrone
Beaghmore, Tyrone 2004
Jasper McKinney (b.1961)
Acrylic on board
H 59.4 x W 42 cm
Parliamentary Art Collection
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Beaghmore, Tyrone
Beaghmore, Tyrone 2004
Jasper McKinney (b.1961)
Acrylic on board
H 59.4 x W 42 cm
Parliamentary Art Collection
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Stacking Turf, Black Bog, County Tyrone
Stacking Turf, Black Bog, County Tyrone 2004
John Stanley Haggan (b.1946)
Acrylic on paper
H 59.4 x W 84.1 cm
Parliamentary Art Collection
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Political Posters, Ardoyne Roundabout, Belfast, 2 May 2010, Belfast North Constituency
Political Posters, Ardoyne Roundabout, Belfast, 2 May 2010, Belfast North Constituency 2010
Simon Roberts (b.1974)
Parliamentary Art Collection
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Ian Paisley Junior, Democratic Unionist Party, Portglenone, 3 May 2010, North Antrim Constituency
Ian Paisley Junior, Democratic Unionist Party, Portglenone, 3 May 2010, North Antrim Constituency 2010
Simon Roberts (b.1974)
Parliamentary Art Collection
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Read More
You can find out more about the history surrounding the Government of Ireland Act and the centenary here:
https://www.parliament.uk/about/living-heritage/evolutionofparliament/legislativescrutiny/parliamentandireland/