Richard Burke, 2nd Earl of Clanricarde
Richard Burke, 2nd Earl of Clanricarde (; ; died 24 July 1582) was an Irish noble who succeeded his father Ulick na gCeann Burke, 1st Earl of Clanricarde as chief of a Gaelicised Norman family with authority over much of what is now County Galway. Richard's nickname was "Englishman", because he took the English part during the Tudor reconquest of Ireland. Richard's mother, Grace O'Carroll, was one of several putative wives of Ulick , such that there were rival candidates to succeed to the Earldom. Richard, the oldest legitimate son in English law, was the  eventual successor. He was sporadically opposed by his brothers and half-brothers, including John, whose mother was of Maire Lynch, and who claimed the title in 1568. Richard extended his influence at the expense of the Ó Ceallaigh and the O'Maddens in the east of County Galway, gaining overlordship over the O'Shaughnessy in the south, while allying himself with the O'Conor Don and the O'Briens of Thomond. Other minor allies included the MacCostelloe and MacMorris, who acknowledged him to avoid encroachment from the Bourkes of Mayo. In 1559 Clanricarde fought on the losing side at the Battle of Spancel Hill  during an O'Brien succession dispute. Mac an Iarla War. From around 1570 his sons ( "son of the earl") rebelled against him and the Anglo-Irish government. That decade witnessed regular warfare across the county which devastated towns such as Galway, Athenry and Loughrea. Major engagements included: At the time of his death Burke had endured imprisonment in Dublin, and repeated treachery by his sons. After his death, further warfare was avoided when Ulick killed his brother John and was acknowledged as the 3rd Earl of Clanricarde. Family. Richard married three times and had several children (possibly five sons and three  daughters): Firstly, he married Margaret O'Brien, daughter of Murrough O'Brien, 1st Earl of Thomond and Eleanor FitzGerald, before 6 October 1548. They were divorced after he claimed that she worked witchcraft against him. Their children were: Secondly, he married Margaret O'Brien, daughter of Donough O'Brien, 2nd Earl of Thomond and Helen Butler, on 24 November 1553. Their children were: Thirdly, he married Julia MacCarthy, daughter of Cormac 'Oge' MacCarthy, in 1568. Their son was: Richard had liaisons with several other women including Honora O'Brien, daughter of Turlogh O'Brien, with whom he had children: He also had liaisons with Sawny 'Oge ' Burke and Julia Brown.