Constituency : Tipperary 1857-65, Tralee 1865-74, 1874-85 (Home Rule)
Daniel was the head of an old Irish clan purporting to go back to the Dark Ages and therefore entitled to be known as "The O'Donoghue of the Glens" ( he is referred to in Hansard as The O'Donoghue" ). They were staunch Catholics.
Daniel was the son-in-law of wealthy landowner Sir John Ennis and inherited his estates. He was also the nephew of Daniel O'Connell and acquired the nickname "The Young Liberator". In the 1860s he was regarded as almost a Fenian for his strong nationalist views and made a reputation as a compelling orator. However in 1871 he recanted and backed the Union. He was bitterly denounced, accused of taking bribes from the Liberal whips and of being seduced by London society.
Daniel was a strong supporter of the Reform League and backed Mill's amendment to the 1867 Reform Act on women's suffrage.
In 1865 when a vacancy occurred in Tralee he decided that seat would suit him better and he switched seats in the by-election. He initially denounced Home Rule as "a useless and mischievous agitation" but in 1874 he was forced to change colours after a rough reception in the constituency the previous autumn ( when he was suspected of testing the waters for a by-election consequent on joining the government ) and was re-elected as a Home Rule supporter.
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