John Edward Redmond (1806–1865)

His uncle had successfully campaigned for removing the market tithes charged at Wexford, where they were particularly oppressive, and he built a small pier for the vessels in the harbour.

Two of his father's uncles fought with the French, General Michael Redmond, Aide-de-camp to Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor, and Gabriel Redmond (1713–1789), Chevalier de St. Louis, Captain in the Irish Brigade (French), but his grandfather supported the British in the 1798 Wexford Rebellion and many other of his relatives adhered to the Protestant faith in order to obtain official positions or just to maintain their land and lifestyles.

John Redmond's grandfather was one of a distinguished group of cousins who counted amongst them three European countesses, of the House of Limburg-Stirum, Probentow von Wilmsdorff and Sutton-de Clonard.

The Redmonds had always held political sway within County Wexford to one extent or another, but it was only in the latter half of the nineteenth century that a Catholic became eligible to sit in Parliament.

He stood for Parliament in 1859 unopposed, the two rival candidates (Mr Devereux and Sir Frederick Hughes) having retired in his favour.

He was in favour of extension of the franchise to 'those who by education and intelligence are entitled to enjoy it', but unlike later members of his family he did not advocate any form of independence or home rule for Ireland.