Charles Joseph Fay

Charles Joseph Fay, MP, JP (ca. 1842 – 1895), was an Irish politician. Initially a Liberal, he was the Home Rule League MP for Cavan, elected for 1874 and 1880 holding his seat until the constituency was abolished in 1885.

In January, 1878 he was elected to the Statistical and Social Inquiry Society of Ireland. In March 1878 he was appointed to the Select Committee on the Irish Land Act 1870. In contrast to many fellow Home rulers, his opposition to the Irish Coercion Acts was reported as lacklustre.

He was the youngest of the four sons of Thomas Fay (b 1791) of Faybrook, Cootehill, County Cavan. His brother James-Henry Fay, J.P., was High Sheriff of Cavan from 23 Feb 1881 until 25 Jan 1882. In later life Fay had a residence at Granite Lodge, Kingstown. In September 1895, he went missing, having been last seen alive at Cootehill Fair. The following month he was found drowned beside the River Annalee. It is believed that he lost his way travelling home in the dark.

Elections in the 1870s 1874 (General election)CandidatePartyVotes Charles Joseph Fay Home Rule League elected Joseph Gillis Biggar Home Rule League elected Edward James Saunderson Conservative defeated

Elections in the 1880s 9 April 1880 (General election)CandidatePartyVotes Charles Joseph Fay Home Rule League 3,097 - elected Joseph Gillis Biggar Home Rule League 3,061 - elected Somerset Henry Maxwell Conservative 2,233 - defeated