‘Honest’ Tom Steele

The Repeal movement of the 1840s featured a number of prominent men, including amongst them man that was known as  ‘Honest’ Tom. A landowner and a Protestant, Steele was devoted to both Catholic Emancipation and Repeal and remained a firm supporter of Daniel O’Connell until his death in 1848.

The redoubtable ‘SJL’ of the Irish Press newspaper provides this account from 1972 of ‘honest Tom’:

THE most familiar figure of O'Connell’s entourage during his years of agitation was that of Tom Steele—Honest Tom, as he was known to the crowds who loved his fantastically colourful and exaggerated declamations — exaggerated even by the extraordinary oratorical fashions of the time. Tall and soldierly in appearance, with his military cap on the side of his head he cut a dashing figure which never failed to win the hearts of a crowd. There is scarcely on record by friend or foe an unkind word about the most faithful of all of O'Connell's lieutenants.

Honest Tom’s early life was as unusual as his personality. Born at Derrymore, County Clare, he was educated at Cambridge and became a civil engineer before the death of his uncle made him the owner of the family property. His adventurous spirit led him into the Spanish military service and he distinguished himself at the defence of Cadiz. His eccentricities were legendary and his disregard for money, especially his own, was famous.

It was in the Clare election, in which he had seconded O'Connell's nomination that he really became a national figure. For his work in putting down the faction fights which so sapped the strength of the nation O'Connell appointed him the " Chief Pacificator of Ireland'"—a title which he adopted with all seriousness.

But when the Liberator died the light went out of his life. His financial resources exhausted, he attempted suicide by jumping into the Thames and when even political opponents offered monetary help he was too proud to accept. Broken-hearted and alone, he died in London on June 15th, 1848.

For more information search the pages of the Irish Newspaper Archive (www.irishnewsarchive.com )