The by-election was held due to the resignation of the incumbent MP of the Liberal Party, William Henry Gregory, as he became Governor of Ceylon.
[1] Nolan beat his opponent, William Le Poer Trench, the third son of the Earl of Clancarty, winning by a large majority.
Le Poer Trench appealed the result, claiming on petition that there was widespread intimidation during the election campaign.
The trial of the County Galway election petition was held before Judge William Keogh, a Catholic and former MP for the pro Home-Rule Independent Irish Party.
In his report stated that he found 36 persons guilty of undue influence and intimidation, including the Archbishop John MacHale, the Archbishop of Tuam, the Bishop of Clonfert, Patrick Duggan, and the Bishop of Galway, John McEvilly, and twenty-nine named priests, the majority of Catholic parish priests in the constituency.