Mick Clifford: Why Daniel O’Connell was Ireland's greatest politician

Whatever about his status as greatest Irishman, O’Connell was, through the force of his personality and intellect, indisputably the best politician in these islands, writes Mick Clifford

Daniel O’Connell was, during his lifetime and for maybe half a century after his death, considered in many circles to be the greatest Irishman who ever lived.

Daniel O’Connell liked to remind people that he was born in the year that America began to assert its independence. His date of birth was August 6, 1775. 

America’s Independence wasn’t completed until the following July 4, but O’Connell was a good storyteller, specific with dates when needed, vague when a convenient narrative required embellishment.