This arose due to the death of the incumbent Home Rule MP, John Gray.
Gray told the electors that his programme did not differ substantially from that of Whitworth: he was in favour of "Home Rule, denominational education, fixity of tenure at fair rents, and reform of the Grand Jury Laws.
"[1] Whitworth was elected, with 307 votes; Gray received 125 and Marum 112.
[2] The reason for the success of Whitworth, who was seen as having the support of the Protestant voters although he was also proposed by the Roman Catholic vicar-general of the diocese, was considered to be the "promises of material aid which he made to Kilkenny".
[2] His nomination was seconded by the prominent brewer John Francis Smithwick who would later succeed him as MP for the city.