The 1879 County Cork by-election was fought on 17 February 1879. The by-election was fought due to the death of the incumbent Home Rule MP, McCarthy Downing. It was won by the Home Rule candidate David la Touche Colthurst.[1]
The main issues were Home Rule and fixed tenure for tenant farmers, with the Home Rule candidate (a Catholic convert) being backed by the Catholic church.[2]
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home Rule | Colonel David la Touche Colthurst | 8,157 | 80.1 | N/A | |
| Conservative | Sir George Colthurst | 2,027 | 19.9 | New | |
| Majority | 6,130 | 60.2 | N/A | ||
| Turnout | 10,184 | 66.3 | N/A | ||
| Home Rule hold | Swing | N/A | |||
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