Valentine Browne, 1st Viscount Kenmare facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Valentine Browne
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|---|---|
| Viscount Kenmare | |
| Tenure | 1689–1694 |
| Predecessor | Valentine, 2nd Baronet |
| Successor | Nicholas, 2nd Viscount Kenmare |
| Born | 1638 |
| Died | 1694 |
| Spouse(s) | Jane Plunkett |
| Issue Detail |
Nicholas & others |
| Father | Valentine, 2nd Baronet |
| Mother | Mary MacCarthy |
Sir Valentine Browne, 1st Viscount Kenmare (born 1638, died 1694) was an important Irish leader. He was also known as the 3rd Baronet Browne of Molahiffe. He supported King James II of England and fought for him in a big conflict called the Williamite War in Ireland.
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Who Was Valentine Browne?
Valentine Browne was born in 1638. He was the oldest son of Valentine Browne and Mary MacCarthy. His father was the second Baronet Browne of Molahiffe, a title from County Kerry, Ireland.
His mother, Mary MacCarthy, came from a powerful Irish family called the MacCarthys of Muskerry. They were a very old Irish family with a long history.
Valentine had four brothers and sisters. You can find more about them in his father's article.
Growing Up
Valentine Browne became the 3rd Baronet Browne when he was only two years old, after his father passed away in 1640. When he was a child, his uncle, Donough MacCarty, 2nd Viscount Muskerry, looked after him.
His uncle, Muskerry, was involved in major wars in Ireland during that time. He fought against the English government and the forces of Oliver Cromwell. Muskerry even used Ross Castle, which belonged to Valentine, as his last stand. He eventually surrendered in 1652 and had to leave the country.
Family Life
Sir Valentine Browne married Jane Plunkett. She was the only daughter of Sir Nicholas Plunkett, a well-known lawyer and politician from County Meath.
Valentine and Jane had five sons:
- Nicholas (born around 1660, died 1720), who became the 2nd Viscount Browne.
- Ossory (died 1666).
- Patrick (died 1675).
- James (died 1680).
- Valentine, who also passed away without having children.
They also had four daughters:
- Mary (died 1703), who married George Aylmer in 1685.
- Ellis, who married Nicholas Purcell.
- Thomasine, who married Nicholas Bourke.
- Katherine, who married the Portuguese ambassador in London, Dom Luís da Cunha.
Getting His Land Back
After a period of conflict, Sir Valentine got some of his lands back in 1662. This happened because of a law called the Act of Settlement.
Fighting for King James II
Sir Valentine was a strong supporter of King James II. People who supported King James II were called Jacobites. Sir Valentine led a group of soldiers in the Irish army. It seems he was captured during a big battle called the Battle of Aughrim in 1691.
Becoming Viscount Kenmare
On May 20, 1689, King James II gave Sir Valentine Browne a special new title: the 1st Viscount Kenmare and Baron Castlerosse. This title was named after Ross Castle. King James II gave him this title even though the English Parliament had removed him as King of England. However, James II was still recognized as the King of Ireland at that time.
This new title was officially recorded in Ireland, but the Protestant leaders in England did not recognize it.
His Faith and Death
The 1st Viscount Kenmare was a Catholic. In his will, he wrote that he wanted to be buried in "some decent Catholic church, monastery, abbey, or graveyard." This shows his strong religious beliefs.
He passed away in 1694. His oldest son, Nicholas, then took over his titles and became the next Viscount Kenmare.
