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/

Artists featured in this Curation: Dickinson, Foster, William Drummond Young (1855–1924), Yann Renard-Goulet (1914–1999), Francis William Doyle Jones (1873–1938), Mark Shields (b.1963), Ross Wilson (b.1958), R. J. Brian Coulter (b.1957), Jasper McKinney (b.1961), John Stanley Haggan (b.1946), and 1 more
15 artworks
Storyline Album Showcase

  • 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.

  • 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
    The Home Rule Debate in House of Lords, 1893, Lord Chancellor about to Put the Question
    Image credit: Parliamentary Art Collection

  • 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
    The Home Rule Debate in House of Lords, 1893, Gladstone's Second Bill Rejected, Marquess of Salisbury Speaking
    Image credit: Parliamentary Art Collection

  • Irish House of Commons, 1914, The Men who Made Home Rule

    The 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

    Irish House of Commons, 1914, The Men who Made Home Rule c.1914
    William Drummond Young (1855–1924)
    Oil on canvas
    H 137.2 x W 228.6 cm
    Parliamentary Art Collection
    Irish House of Commons, 1914, The Men who Made Home Rule
    Image credit: Parliamentary Art Collection

  • Politicians

    Painted portraits and busts of some of the Irish and Northern Irish politicians represented in the collection.

  • Charles Stewart Parnell (1846–1891), Irish Patriot

    Charles Stewart Parnell (1846–1891), Irish Patriot
    Yann Renard-Goulet (1914–1999)
    Bronze
    Parliamentary Art Collection
    Charles Stewart Parnell (1846–1891), Irish Patriot
    © the copyright holder. Image credit: Parliamentary Art Collection

  • 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
    John Edward Redmond (1856–1918), Leader of Irish Nationalist Party
    Image credit: Parliamentary Art Collection

  • 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
    Reverend Dr Ian Paisley (1926–2014), MP
    © Parliamentary Art Collection. Image credit: Parliamentary Art Collection

  • 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
    Sir Edward Carson (1854–1935), Lord Carson of Duncairn
    © the artist. Image credit: Parliamentary Art Collection

  • 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.

  • 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
    Devenish Island, Fermanagh
    © the artist. Image credit: Parliamentary Art Collection

  • 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
    Enniskillen, Fermanagh
    © the artist. Image credit: Parliamentary Art Collection

  • Beaghmore, Tyrone

    Beaghmore, Tyrone 2004
    Jasper McKinney (b.1961)
    Acrylic on board
    H 59.4 x W 42 cm
    Parliamentary Art Collection
    Beaghmore, Tyrone
    © the copyright holder. Image credit: Parliamentary Art Collection

  • Beaghmore, Tyrone

    Beaghmore, Tyrone 2004
    Jasper McKinney (b.1961)
    Acrylic on board
    H 59.4 x W 42 cm
    Parliamentary Art Collection
    Beaghmore, Tyrone
    © the copyright holder. Image credit: Parliamentary Art Collection

  • Beaghmore, Tyrone

    Beaghmore, Tyrone 2004
    Jasper McKinney (b.1961)
    Acrylic on board
    H 59.4 x W 42 cm
    Parliamentary Art Collection
    Beaghmore, Tyrone
    © the copyright holder. Image credit: Parliamentary Art Collection

  • 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
    Stacking Turf, Black Bog, County Tyrone
    © the artist. Image credit: Parliamentary Art Collection

  • 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
    Political Posters, Ardoyne Roundabout, Belfast, 2 May 2010, Belfast North Constituency
    © the artist. Image credit: Parliamentary Art Collection WOA 7152

  • 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
    Ian Paisley Junior, Democratic Unionist Party, Portglenone, 3 May 2010, North Antrim Constituency
    © the artist. Image credit: Parliamentary Art Collection WOA 7153

  • 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/

Explore artists in this Curation

View all 11
  • Evening at Blackwater
    John Stanley Haggan (b.1946)
  • War Memorial
    Francis William Doyle Jones (1873–1938)
  • The Home Rule Debate in House of Lords, 1893, Lord Chancellor about to Put the Question
    Foster
  • Woolacombe Bay, Devon, 24th May 2008
    Simon Roberts (b.1974)
  • Self Portrait: The Troubled Look
    Mark Shields (b.1963)
  • The Home Rule Debate in House of Lords, 1893, Lord Chancellor about to Put the Question
    Dickinson
  • Atlantic Dawn
    R. J. Brian Coulter (b.1957)
  • Charles Stewart Parnell (1846–1891), Irish Patriot
    Yann Renard-Goulet (1914–1999)
  • Beaghmore, Tyrone
    Jasper McKinney (b.1961)
  • The Very Reverend Canon John Stuart
    William Drummond Young (1855–1924)
  • View all 11
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