Sheil, Richard Lalor (1791–1851)

Irish politician and dramatist. Born in Drumdowney, Kilkenny, he wrote a series of plays, and helped Daniel O'Connell and the Catholic Association campaign for emancipation. He entered parliament in 1839 in the administration of Viscount Melbourne, being appointed vice-president of the Board of Trade and a privy councillor, the first Catholic to do so. In 1846 he was made Master of the Mint.