The High Sheriff of Cavan was the British Crown's judicial representative in County Cavan, Ireland from the 16th century until 1922, when the office was abolished in the new Free State and replaced by the office of Cavan County Sheriff. The sheriff had judicial, electoral, ceremonial and administrative functions and executed High Court Writs. In 1908, an Order in Council made the Lord-Lieutenant the Sovereign's prime representative in a county and reduced the High Sheriff's precedence. However the sheriff retained his responsibilities for the preservation of law and order in the county. The usual procedure for appointing the sheriff from 1660 onwards was that three persons were nominated at the beginning of each year from the county and the Lord Lieutenant then appointed his choice as High Sheriff for the remainder of the year. Often the other nominees were appointed as under-sheriffs. Sometimes a sheriff did not fulfil his entire term through death or other event and another sheriff was then appointed for the remainder of the year. The dates given hereunder are the dates of appointment. All addresses are in County Cavan unless stated otherwise.
Contents
- Elizabeth I 15581603
- James I 16031625
- Charles I 16251649
- Commonwealth 16491660
- Charles II 16601685
- James II 16851688
- William and Mary 16891694
- William III 16941702
- Anne 17021714
- George I 17141727
- George II 17271760
- George III 17601820
- George IV 18201830
- William IV 18301837
- Victoria 18371901
- Edward VII 19011910
- George V 19101936
- References
Elizabeth I, 1558–1603
James I, 1603–1625
Charles I, 1625–1649
Commonwealth, 1649–1660
Charles II, 1660–1685
James II, 1685–1688
defeat by King William III who then recommenced the appointment of Protestant landlords)