John na Seamar Burke

Who is John na Seamar Burke?

John na Seamar Burke, aka John of the Shamrocks Burke, Baron Leitrim, died 1583.

Burke was one of the notorious Mac an Iarlas, who's conflict with his father, the 2nd Earl of Clanricarde, and feud with his own brother, Ulick, caused devastation to south Connacht from the early 1560s. One of his most notorious acts was the destruction of Athenry in 1572, after which he demolished most of the castles in Clanricarde, afterwards plundering south County Galway, County Roscommon, and crossed the Shannon into County Westmeath, where he buried Mullingar, Meelick and Athlone. After this he led his army west, attacked Galway, and plundered Connemara.

He was ambushed and killed by his brother Ulick at on 11 November 1583, and buried in Athenry. He had at least four sons, one of whom, Redmond Burke, Baron Leitrim, became an important rebel commander during the Nine Years' War.