John Burke, Baron Leitrim facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
John "na Seamar" Burke
Baron Leitrim |
|
|---|---|
| Seán mac an Iarla a Búrc | |
.png)
Arms of de Burgh/Burke of Clanricarde:
Or, a cross gules in the first quarter a lion rampant sable |
|
| Nationality | Irish |
| Children | Redmond Burke, Baron Leitrim William Burke John Oge Burke Tomás Burke |
| Parent(s) | Richard Burke, 2nd Earl of Clanricarde |
| Relatives | Ulick (brother) |
John "na Seamer" Burke, Baron Leitrim (Irish: Seán mac an Iarla a Búrc; /ˈliːtrəm/; LEE-trəm; died 1583), also known as John of the Shamrocks, was one of the notorious half-brothers called the meic an Iarla ('sons of the earl'), whose conflicts with each other and their father, Richard Burke, 2nd Earl of Clanricarde, caused devastation to south Connacht several times between the late 1560s and early 1580s.
Richard's eldest son from his first marriage was Ulick. John was the son of one of Richard's later marriages, which were valid in Gaelic law but not English common law. He was his father's chosen heir, but his being illegitimate in the Irish Peerage meant the Earldom of Clanricarde would fall to Ullick. Richard's son William from a third marriage was another rival. The Tudor reconquest of Ireland, the Composition of Connacht, and the Irish Reformation provided a wider background of shifting alliances and conflicts to the family rivalry.
One of John Burke's 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 burned Mullingar, Meelick and Athlone. Following this, he led his army west, attacked Galway, and plundered Connemara.
Death and family
John was ambushed and killed by his brother Ullick on 11 November 1583, and buried in Athenry. He had at least four sons:
- Redmond Burke, Baron Leitrim, became an important rebel commander during the Nine Years' War.
- William Burke, Lord of Bealatury
- John Óge Burke
- Tomás Burke
Family tree
Richard Sassanach | --------------------------------------- =? =? =? | | | | | | Ullick John, d. 1583. William, d. June 1581. =various women | ___________|_______________________________________________________________________________________________ | | | | | | | | | | Redmond, d.1602. William, d.1616. John Óge, executed June 1601. Tomás, fl. 1600–02. ?son, fl. 1583?
