The Lord Rathcavan | |
|---|---|
| Leader of the Alliance Party | |
| In office 1972–1972 | |
| Preceded by | Oliver Napier |
| Succeeded by | Oliver Napier |
| Member of theHouse of Lords | |
Lord Temporal | |
| In office 28 November 1982 – 20 December 1994 | |
| Preceded by | The 1st Baron Rathcavan |
| Succeeded by | The 3rd Baron Rathcavan |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Phelim Robert Hugh O'Neill 2 November 1909 |
| Died | 20 December 1994(1994-12-20) (aged 85) |
| Nationality | Irish |
| Political party | Alliance (from 1972) Ulster Unionist (until 1972) |
| Spouse(s) | |
| Children | 6 |
| Parent |
|
| Relatives | Terence O'Neill(cousin) |
| Education | Eton College |
| Profession | Officer |
| Military career | |
| Allegiance |  United Kingdom |
| Branch |  British Army |
| Years of service | 1939–1945 |
| Rank | Major |
| Unit | Royal Artillery |
| Battles / wars | World War II |
Phelim Robert Hugh O'Neill, 2nd Baron Rathcavan (2 November 1909 – 20 December 1994), was a politician inNorthern Ireland and ahereditary peer in the BritishHouse of Lords.
The son ofHugh O'Neill, aunionist politician, Phelim studied atEton College before joining theRoyal Artillery. He became amajor duringWorld War II.
O'Neill was elected to Westminster for theUlster Unionist Party at the1952 North Antrim by-election, succeeding his father. He stood down at the1959 general election. At the1958 Stormont elections, he was elected, again to representNorth Antrim. In 1969, he briefly served asMinister of Education before becoming theMinister of Agriculture. In 1958, he was appointedHigh Sheriff of Antrim.[1]
O'Neill joined theAlliance Party of Northern Ireland in 1972, and acted as its leader at theDarlington Conference. At the1973 Northern Ireland Assembly election, he was unsuccessful inNorth Antrim. In 1982, he succeeded his father asBaron Rathcavan.
| Parliament of the United Kingdom | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Member of Parliament forNorth Antrim 1952–1959 | Succeeded by |
| Parliament of Northern Ireland | ||
| Preceded by | Member of Parliament forNorth Antrim 1958–1973 | Parliament abolished |
| Political offices | ||
| Preceded by | Minister of Education 1969 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Minister of Agriculture 1969–1971 | Succeeded by |
| Peerage of the United Kingdom | ||
| Preceded by | Baron Rathcavan 1982–1994 Member of theHouse of Lords (1982–1994) | Succeeded by |