Waterford Elections

The Waterford by-elections, March 22nd 1918: An enthusiastic crowd of people gather and cheer in excitement as Sinn Féin candidate, Dr. Vincent White, exits a building alongside Captain William Redmond (son of John Redmond).

Captain William Redmond, from the Irish Nationalist Party defeated Sinn Féin candidate Dr. Vincent White in the by-election but campaigns began shortly afterwards when the General Election was called. The government decided to introduce conscription into Ireland which was hugely unpopular. The Irish Parliamentary Party which had called for men to join up, were opposed to the Bill and on April 17th 1918 a cross-party nationalist party meeting at the Mansion House condemned the Bill. The threat of conscription boosted support for Sinn Féin.