"That on the application of the owners Messrs H. and J. Martin Ltd. a new Street on their property between Rugby Avenue and University Street be named Dudley Street". (Improvement Committee, 14th January 1902). It is likely this street was named after the Second Earl of Dudley, William Humble Ward who was in the running to be named to succeed Lord Cadogan as the next Lord Lieutenant of Ireland. The Pall Mall Gazette on Wednesday 17 October 1900 carried this speculation: "As far as Ireland is concerned the names of the Duke of Marlborough, the Earl of Zetland, and the Earl of Dudley occur as those of peers from whom the selection might be made". There is a connection with H. and J. Martin and Martin Estates who owned the land on which Cadogan Street and Cadogan Park were developed and who requested the naming of these streets.
One Belfast newspaper carried this article: "Lord Cadogan's pending retirement from the Lord Lieutenancy of Ireland is generally referred to with regret in the London Press. The Pall Mall Gazette says that he has made an admirable representative of the Queen, and nobody has any wish to see him go; but a man who has occupied that splendid but trying position for nearly six years has a right to rest if he wishes." It adds thatthere can be no doubt that upon Lord Cadogan's retirement Mr. Wyndham will be admitted to the Cabinet. If he were in it now it would include three Irish Ministers, which would obviously be excessive, but clearly it is the Chief Secretary who ought not to be left out. To him falls the real government of Ireland, and we have no doubt that will be recognised when Lord Cadogan's successor is appointed." The same paper states that the next Viceroy will probably be the Earl of Dudley who is now in his 36th year, and is Parliamentary Secretary of the Board of Trade. (Belfast News-Letter - Friday 11 January 1901).
The Earl of Dudley. was appointed Lord Lieutenant of Ireland 11 August 1902 and served until 11 December 1905.