Ulick na gCeann Burke, Earl of Clanricarde

Ulick na gCeann Burke (d. 1544), 12th Clanricarde and 1st Earl of Clanricarde (styled MacWilliam, and Ne-gan or Na-gCeann meaning "of the Heads," "having made a mount of the heads of men slain in battle which he covered up with earth"), was the son of Richard Mor Burke the 9th Clanricarde.

Biography

Born to Richard Mor Burke by a daughter of Madden of Portumna, Ulick succeeded to the headship of his clan, and held vast estates in County Galway.

In March 1541 he wrote to Henry VIII, lamenting the degeneracy of his family, which had rebelled against England in the mid-14th century. The same year he was present at Dublin, when an act was passed making Henry VIII king of Ireland.

In 1543, in company with other Irish chiefs, he visited the king at Greenwich, made full submission, and undertook to introduce English manners into his clan and abandon Irish Names. In consequence, he received a regrant of the greater part of his former estates, with the addition of other lands. He was confirmed in the captainship and rule of Clanricarde, and on July 1, 1543, he was created earl of Clanricarde and baron of Dunkellin in the peerage of Ireland.

He did not live long to enjoy his new English dignities, but died shortly after returning to Ireland about March 1544. He is called by the annalist of Loch Cé "a haughty and proud lord," who reduced many under his yoke, and by the Four Masters "the most illustrious of the English in Connaught."

Marriages

Burke married three times, first to Grany or Grace, daughtor of Mulrone O'Carrol, by whom he had Richard, who eventually succeeded him as Second Earl of Clanricarde. This marriage was the only one declared valid.

He eventually divorced Grace and then married Honora, sister of Ulick de Burgh, but divorced her as well, marrying Mary Lynch, by whom he had John, who claimed the earldom in 1568.

According the Burke's Peerage, he had several other sons, Thomas "the Athlete", shot in 1545, Redmond "of the Broom", died 1595, and Edmund, died 1597.

Legacy

As a result of his marriages and relationships there were a number of candidates contending for the titles of Clanricarde and Earl. The eventual successor was Ulick's eldest legitimate son, Richard Sassanach Burke, 2nd Earl of Clanricarde.

References

*