Wicklow was governed under the old ‘Baronial’ system, similar to the local government that prevailed in England. The county sent two MP’s to the Parliament in Westminster. In 1914 these were Mr Edward Kelly for West Wicklow (who died in July1914) and was succeeded by John Donovan who was elected in August 1914. East Wicklow was represented by Captain John Donlan.

The county was divided into eight ‘Baronies’ and these were the core administrative units. Previous to the foundation of County Councils and Urban District Councils in 1898, the county was administered by a Grand Jury selected from the wealthy landowners and moneyed ratepayers of the county who voted in various projects. A number of colourful sounding titles were still retained from this period like Lord Lieutenant of the County, High Sheriff of Wicklow, and the Custos Rotulorum (County Record Keeper).The Local Government Act of 1885 enlarged the franchise so that by 1914 all male rate payers of the legal age were allowed a secret vote. Women were still excluded from the process