Helen Burke, Countess Clanricarde facts for kids

Helen Burke, Countess Clanricarde (born Helen MacCarty; around 1641 – 1722) was an important Irish noblewoman. She was also known as Helen FitzGerald. When she was a child, her mother took her to France to escape the wars in Ireland. Her father, the 2nd Earl Muskerry, fought bravely until the very end of these wars. In France, Helen went to a special school called Port-Royal-des-Champs with her cousin, Elizabeth Hamilton. Helen married three times in her life. All her children were with her second husband, William Burke, 7th Earl of Clanricarde. She was the mother of Ulick Burke, 1st Viscount Galway, Margaret, Viscountess Iveagh, and Honora Sarsfield.

Early Life and Family

Helen was likely born in the early 1640s, probably at Macroom Castle in County Cork, Ireland. This was her parents' main home. She was the oldest daughter of Donough MacCarty and his wife, Eleanor Butler. When Helen was born, her father was known as the 2nd Viscount Muskerry. Later, in 1658, he became the Earl of Clancarty.

Her Family's Background

Helen's father belonged to the MacCartys of Muskerry. They were a powerful Gaelic Irish family. This family was a branch of the older MacCarthy-Mor line. Helen's mother was the oldest sister of James Butler, 1st Duke of Ormond. Her mother's family, the Butler dynasty, were called "Old English." This means they were descendants of Normans who came to Ireland long ago. Both of Helen's parents were Catholic. They got married before 1641.

Helen had three brothers and one sister. You can find their names in her father's article.

Growing Up During Wars

Helen was a child during the Cromwellian Conquest of Ireland. Her father, Lord Muskerry, led the army of the Confederates in Munster. He fought against the Parliamentarians, who were supporters of the English Parliament. Her father fought until the very end. He finally gave up Ross Castle near Killarney on June 27, 1652. He then sent his 5,000 soldiers home.

After this, he was allowed to go to Spain. However, he lost his lands in 1652 because of a law called the Cromwellian Act of Settlement. When he arrived in Spain, he found he was not welcome. He returned to Ireland in 1653. There, he was put on trial for the murder of English settlers in 1642. Luckily, he was found innocent.

Life in Exile

Helen, who was about ten years old, had already fled to France. She went with her mother, her sister Margaret, and her brother Justin. Her mother lived with her sister, Lady Hamilton, in a convent in Paris. Helen was sent to a boarding school at the abbey of Port-Royal-des-Champs. This abbey was near Versailles. Her cousin, Elizabeth Hamilton, also went to school there.

This school was very famous and taught in new ways for its time. For example, they taught in French instead of Latin. Helen stayed at this school for seven or eight years. The abbey was also a place where a religious movement called Jansenism was strong. This movement focused on being very serious and strict about faith. In 1658, her father was made Earl of Clancarty by King Charles II. This happened in Brussels, where her father was living in exile.

Returning Home and First Marriage

When the king returned to power in England, this was called the Restoration. Helen's father went back to Ireland in 1660. He got his lands back and was confirmed as the owner in 1662.

Helen stayed in France at her convent for a while. However, the Jansenism movement was declared a heresy, meaning it was against the church's teachings. Because of this, Helen was forced to leave the abbey in 1661. She then stayed with a nobleman named Louis Charles d'Albert de Luynes.

Helen MacCarty soon married Sir John FitzGerald. He was known as Lord of the Decies and lived at Dromana House in County Waterford. This was his second marriage. His first wife had died in 1660. Helen's first marriage lasted only one or two years. She did not have any children with him, and he died in 1662.

In 1665, Helen's brother Charles, who was now Viscount Muskerry, was killed. This happened during a naval battle with the Dutch, part of the Second Anglo-Dutch War.

Second Marriage and Children

Helen's second marriage was to William Burke, 7th Earl of Clanricarde. This marriage gave her the title of Countess of Clanricarde. Her new husband already had sons from his first marriage. Two of these sons would later become earls after him.

William and Helen had four children together:

1. Ulick (1670–1691): He became Viscount of Galway. He was killed fighting for the Jacobites at the Battle of Aughrim.
2. Margaret (1673–1744): She first married Bryan Magennis, 5th Viscount Iveagh. Later, she married Thomas Butler.
3. William: He died without having any children.
4. Honora (1674–1698): She first married Patrick Sarsfield. After he died, she married the Duke of Berwick.

Helen likely lived at Portumna Castle. We know that her daughter Honora was born there.

Her father, Lord Clancarty, passed away in London on August 4, 1665. Helen's second husband, Clanricarde, died in 1687. His son Richard from his first marriage became the 8th Earl of Clanricarde. Helen was about 46 years old at this time. In 1689, her brother Justin lost the Battle of Newtownbutler and was taken prisoner. Her son Ulick was killed in the Battle of Aughrim in 1691, along with many other important Jacobite officers.

Later Life and Third Marriage

Helen married again sometime between 1687 and 1700. Her third husband was Colonel Thomas Burke. They did not have any children together. Her third husband died around 1719. Helen herself passed away on February 15, 1721, at Kilcash Castle. This was the home of her daughter, Margaret. Helen had a lot of money and property. After she died, there were many legal arguments about who should inherit her fortune.

Timeline of Helen's Life