Sir Valentine Browne, 1st Baronet facts for kids

Sir Valentine Browne, 1st Baronet, of Molahiffe (died 1633), was an important person in Ireland. He owned a very large amount of land in the southwest of the country. He was also a lawyer and served as the high sheriff for County Kerry. This meant he was the chief law enforcement officer in the county.

Who Was Sir Valentine Browne?

His Family and Early Life

Valentine Browne was likely born in Ireland in the 1580s. He was the oldest son of Nicholas Browne and his wife, Sheela O'Sullivan Beare. His father, Sir Nicholas Browne, lived at Ross Castle.

Valentine's grandfather, also named Sir Valentine Browne, came from Croft, England. This grandfather had gained many large estates, which are big areas of land, in Munster, Ireland. He did this while working as a surveyor-general, a job that involved mapping and valuing land.

Valentine's mother, Sheela, was the daughter of Eoin the O'Sullivan Beare. Her family, the O'Sullivans, was a powerful Gaelic Irish clan. Her father had lost his leadership role to his nephew, Donal Cam O'Sullivan Beare. It is thought that Valentine's father became Catholic to marry his mother.

His Career and Titles

Valentine Browne became a lawyer. He was accepted into Gray's Inn, a famous place in London where lawyers are trained, on March 12, 1612.

On December 21, 1621, Valentine Browne was given the special title of Baronet Browne of Molahiffe. A Baronet is a hereditary title, meaning it can be passed down in the family, and it's below a Baron but above a Knight. In 1623, Sir Valentine was also made Sheriff of County Kerry.

His Marriages and Children

Sir Valentine Browne married twice.

First Marriage

His first wife was Alice FitzGerald. She was the fifth daughter of Gerald FitzGerald, 14th Earl of Desmond. This Earl was known as a "rebel earl." Alice's mother was Eleanor Butler.

Valentine and Alice had five children together. Three of them were sons:

1. Valentine (died 1640), who took over his father's title.
2. James, who became a captain in the army.
3. Nicholas, who died without having any children.

They also had two daughters, but not much is known about them.

Second Marriage

Sir Valentine's second wife was Julia MacCarty. She was the daughter of Charles MacCarthy, 1st Viscount Muskerry.

Valentine and Julia had one son:

1. Thomas (died 1684). Thomas married his cousin, Elizabeth Browne. Elizabeth was the daughter of Sir John Browne and Barbara Boyle. Barbara's father was John Boyle, who was a Bishop of Cork. Thomas and Elizabeth had several daughters. One of their daughters, Helen, married her cousin Nicholas Browne, who became the 2nd Viscount Kenmare.

His Later Life and Death

Sir Valentine Browne passed away on September 7, 1633. He was buried in the church in Killarney, Ireland.