Henry O'Brien, Lord Ibrackan facts for kids

Henry O'Brien, Lord Ibrackan (born around 1642 – died September 1, 1678) was an important Irish nobleman and politician. He was also known as Lord O'Brien. Until 1657, people called him Hon. Henry O'Brien. He was the son of Henry O'Brien, 7th Earl of Thomond, and his first wife, Anne O'Brien.

His Family Life

Henry O'Brien married Katherine Stuart, who was the 7th Baroness Clifton. Katherine was the daughter of George Stuart, 9th Seigneur d'Aubigny. Her family, the Aubigny Stuarts, were a smaller part of the royal House of Stuart.

Henry and Katherine had six children together. Sadly, three of their children passed away when they were very young.

• Donough O'Brien, Lord Ibrackan (1663–1682), sadly died when the ship HMS Gloucester sank.
• Hon. Henry O'Brien (born and died in 1665)
• Hon. Charles O'Brien (born and died in 1666)
• Hon. George O'Brien, who died young
• Hon. Mary O'Brien (died 1683), who married John FitzGerald, 18th Earl of Kildare
• Katherine Hyde, 8th Baroness Clifton (died 1706), who married Edward Hyde, 3rd Earl of Clarendon

A Life in Politics

Henry O'Brien was active in politics. In 1661, he became a representative for County Clare in the Parliament of Ireland. This was like being a member of parliament for Ireland.

Later, from 1670 until he passed away in 1678, he represented Northampton in the English Parliament. In 1673, he was chosen to be part of the Privy Council of Ireland. This was a group of important advisors to the King in Ireland.

His wife, Katherine, had a connection to King Charles II. This helped them gain favor at the royal court. They also had a good friend there, Sir Joseph Williamson. They were very well-liked at court during the 1660s.

His Later Years

Henry O'Brien died from an illness in 1678. He was with his army group in Flanders at the time. After his death, his special title, Lord Ibrackan, went to his younger half-brother, Henry Horatio O'Brien.

Within three months of Henry's death, his wife Katherine married their old friend, the statesman Sir Joseph Williamson. Some people did not approve of how quickly she remarried, especially because Sir Joseph Williamson came from a less noble background. He was the son of a country vicar, and some felt he was not a suitable husband for someone connected to the King. Even Katherine's own children were not happy about the marriage.

In Books

Henry O'Brien is an important character in a book called The Piccadilly Plot. This book is the seventh in the Thomas Chaloner mystery series, written by Susanna Gregory.