December 2002: Viceroys and Chief Secretaries: Who were they?
Viceroy
The Crown representative in Ireland, usually known as Lord Deputy or Lord Lieutenant, the latter being the more common term after the Restoration. The Lord Lieutenant was responsible to the Cabinet in London. From the 18th century the post was usually filled by an aristocratic politician in the early stages of his ministerial career. From the later 18th century the Lord Lieutenant resided at the Vice-Regal Lodge in Phoenix Park, Dublin. The post was abolished in 1922.
Chief Secretary for Ireland
The office originated in the 17th century, the holder being the personal assistant to the Lord Lieutenant. The Chief Secretary evolved into a secretary of state, and after the Act of Union of 1801, his presence in the Westminster Parliament and his position as chief executive of the Irish Office made the post more important than that of Lord Lieutenant. Several Chief Secretaries were Cabinet ministers.