Richard Burke, 2nd Earl of Clanricarde

Who is Richard Burke, 2nd Earl of Clanricarde?

Richard Sassanach Burke, 2nd Earl of Clanricarde, died 1582.

He was the son of Ulick nagCeann Burke, 1st Earl of Clanricarde and Grace O'Carroll. He married: 1 Margaret O'Brien, daughter of Murrough O'Brien, 1st Earl of Thomond and Eleanor FitzGerald, before 6 October 1548; 2 Margaret O'Brien, daughter of Donough O'Brien, 2nd Earl of Thomond and Helen Butler, on 24 November 1553; and 3 Julia MacCarthy, daughter of Cormac 'Oge' MacCarthy, in 1568. He and his first wife, Margaret O'Brien were divorced after he claimed that she worked witchcraft against him.

As a result of his father's multiple marriages and relationships there were a number of candidates contending for title Earl of Clanricarde. Richard, the oldest legitimate son, was the eventual successor. He was sporadically opposed by his brothers and half-brothers, including John, who claimed the title in 1568.

Richard extended his influence at the expense of the O 'Kelly's and the O'Madden's in the east of County Galway, overlordship over the O'Shaughnessey in the south, while allying himself with the O'Conor Don and the O'Brien of Thomond. Other minor allies included the MacCostelloe and MacMorris, who acknowledged him in order to avoid encroachment from the Bourkes of Mayo.