Valentine Browne, 3rd Viscount Kenmare facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Valentine Browne
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| Viscount Kenmare | |
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| Tenure | 1720–1736 |
| Predecessor | Valentine, 2nd Viscount |
| Successor | Thomas, 4th Viscount |
| Born | March 1695 |
| Died | 30 June 1736 |
| Spouse(s) | Honora Butler |
| Issue Detail |
Thomas & others |
| Father | Valentine, 2nd Viscount |
| Mother | Helen Browne |
Valentine Browne was an important figure in Irish history. He was known as the 3rd Viscount Kenmare and the 5th Baronet. He lived from 1695 to 1736. He inherited his family's titles and lands at a young age. His life was full of challenges, including managing family estates that were in debt.
Contents
Who Was Valentine Browne?
Valentine Browne was born in March 1695. His father was Nicholas Browne, the 2nd Viscount Kenmare. His mother, Helen Browne, was his father's cousin. She was the oldest daughter of Thomas Browne from Hospital, County Limerick.
His Family and Titles
Valentine Browne held two important titles. He was a Baronet, which is a hereditary title of honour. He was also a Viscount in the Jacobite Peerage. The Jacobite Peerage refers to titles given by King James II after he was removed from the English throne.
At the time, the official government in Ireland did not always recognize these Jacobite titles. However, Valentine Browne was definitely a Baronet.
Early Life and Challenges
Valentine Browne became the head of his family's estates in 1720. This happened after his father passed away. His grandfather, Sir Valentine Browne, had supported the Jacobite cause. This meant he supported King James II.
Because of this support, his grandfather took part in the Battle of Aughrim. As a result, his family's lands were taken away. This process was called being "attainted" and their estates were "forfeited."
Dealing with Debt
When Valentine Browne took over, the family estates were in a lot of debt. This was partly because of how they had been managed before. It was very hard to pay off these debts. This caused many arguments and legal battles among his close relatives. These disputes were long and very expensive.
His Marriages and Children
Valentine Browne was married twice. His first marriage was to Honora Butler in November 1720. Honora was the daughter of Colonel Thomas Butler. An Irish poet named Egan O'Rahilly even wrote a special poem for their wedding.
Valentine and Honora had one son:
Sadly, Honora Butler passed away in 1730 from smallpox.
Second Marriage
Valentine Browne married for a second time in October 1735. His second wife was Mary FitzGerald. She was the daughter of Sir Maurice FitzGerald.
Valentine and Mary had one daughter together.
Later Life and Legacy
Valentine Browne faced many financial problems. Because of these difficulties, he might have refused a request from the poet Egan O'Rahilly. The poet asked for his land to be returned to him. This refusal made O'Rahilly very upset. He wrote a sad and angry poem about Valentine Browne. The poem was called "Valentin Brown."
Later in his life, the family's financial situation improved. This happened after some parts of the estate were sold. Sir Valentine Browne passed away on June 30, 1736, when he was 41 years old.
A Famous Poem
Egan O'Rahilly's poem "Valentin Brown" was translated by Frank O'Connor. Here is how it reads:
That my old bitter heart was pierced in this black doom,
That foreign devils have made our land a tomb,
That the sun that was Munster's glory has gone down
Has made me a beggar before you, Valentine Brown
That royal Cashel is bare of house and guest,
That Brian's turreted home is the otter's nest,
That the kings of the land have neither land nor crown
Has made me a beggar before you, Valentine Brown.
Garnish away in the west with its master banned,
Hamburg the refuge of him who has lost his land,
An old grey eye, weeping for lost renown,
Have made me a beggar before you, Valentine Brown.
