Earl of Thomond was an hereditary title in the Peerage of Ireland. It was created twice for the O'Brien dynasty which is an ancient Irish

sept A sept is a division of a family, especially of a Scottish or Irish family. The term is used in both Scotland and Ireland, where it may be translated as ''sliocht'', meaning "progeny" or "seed", which may indicate the descendants of a person ...

native to north Munster.

History and background

First creation

Under the

Crown of Ireland Act 1542 The Crown of Ireland Act 1542 is an Act passed by the Parliament of Ireland (33 Hen. 8 c. 1) on 18 June 1542, which created the title of King of Ireland for King Henry VIII of England and his successors, who previously ruled the island as Lo ...

, King Henry VIII of England was created King of Ireland by the Parliament of Ireland. In consequence, all reigning monarchs and clan chiefs in Ireland were ordered to surrender their native titles in return for peerages. This surrender and regrant offer was conditional upon the adoption of Tudor customs and laws, including pledging allegiance to the Irish Crown and apostatising from the

Catholic faith The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the largest Christian church, with 1.3 billion baptized Catholics worldwide . It is among the world's oldest and largest international institutions, and has played a ...

by accepting the articles of the state established Church of Ireland. Through surrender and regrant, the earldom of Thomond was created in 1543 for Murrough O'Brien. He had previously been styled King of Thomond and was descended from the ' or High King of Ireland,

Brian Boru Brian Boru ( mga, Brian Bóruma mac Cennétig; modern ga, Brian Bóramha; 23 April 1014) was an Irish king who ended the domination of the High Kingship of Ireland by the Uí Néill and probably ended Viking invasion/domination of Ireland. Bri ...

. O'Brien was also created

Baron Inchiquin Baron Inchiquin () is one of the older titles in the Peerage of Ireland. It was one of two titles created on 1 July 1543 for Murrough O'Brien, Prince of Thomond, who was descended from the great high king Brian Boru. The grant of the English ti ...

, on 1 July 1543. On the same day his nephew and heir, Donough O'Brien, was created Baron Ibrickane. The titles of Ibrickane and Thomond merged on the first Earl's death in 1551, and the barony of Inchiquin went to his eldest son.

Forfeit of title

The 8th Earl was created Viscount Tadcaster, in the Peerage of Great Britain, on 19 October 1714. However, when he died in 1741, the next heir would have been a descendant of Daniel O'Brien, 3rd Viscount Clare who was

attainded In English criminal law, attainder or attinctura was the metaphorical "stain" or "corruption of blood" which arose from being condemned for a serious capital crime (felony or treason). It entailed losing not only one's life, property and hereditary ...

in 1691, so the three titles became

forfeit Forfeit or forfeiture may refer to: Arts, entertainment, and media * ''Forfeit'', a 2007 thriller film starring Billy Burke * "Forfeit", a song by Chevelle from ''Wonder What's Next'' * ''Forfeit/Fortune'', a 2008 album by Crooked Fingers L ...

. However,

Charles O'Brien, 6th Viscount Clare Charles O'Brien, (17 March 16999 September 1761), 6th Viscount Clare (titular 9th Earl of Thomond) was an Irish military officer in French service, known to posterity as the Maréchal de Thomond. Charles O'Brien was the son of Charles O'Brien ...

, a Jacobite exile used the title Earl of Thomond, as did his son, who died childless in 1774.

Second creation

The second creation was on 11 December 1756 when Percy Wyndham-O'Brien was created Earl of Thomond and Baron Ibracken. On his death in 1774, both titles became extinct. Henrietta Street - Dublin 2800071378

Earls of Thomond (1543)

* Murrough O'Brien, 1st Earl of Thomond (died 1551) * Donough O'Brien, 2nd Earl of Thomond (died 1553) – created Baron Ibrickane in 1543. *

Connor O'Brien, 3rd Earl of Thomond Connor O'Brien, 3rd Earl of Thomond also spelt Conor and called Groibleach, or the "long-nailed", ( ga, Conchobhar Groibleach Ó Briain; 1535–1581) fought his uncle Donnell over his father's succession during thirty years from 1535 to 1565. ...

(–1581) * Donogh O'Brien, 4th Earl of Thomond (died 1624) *

Henry O'Brien, 5th Earl of Thomond Henry O'Brien, 5th Earl of Thomond PC (Ire) (1588–1639), styled Lord Ibrickane until 1624, was summoned to the House of Lords of the Irish Parliament of 1613–1615. Birth and origins Henry was born the eldest son of Donogh O'Brien and ...

(–1639) * Barnabas O'Brien, 6th Earl of Thomond (–1657) * Henry O'Brien, 7th Earl of Thomond (–1691) **

Henry O'Brien, Lord Ibrackan Henry O'Brien, Lord Ibrackan, or Lord O'Brien (c. 1642 – 1 September 1678), styled Hon. Henry O'Brien until 1657, was an Irish nobleman and politician. He was the son of Henry O'Brien, 7th Earl of Thomond, and his first wife, and cousin, Anne O ...

(–1678) ** Henry Horatio O'Brien, Lord Ibrackan (died 1690) *

Henry O'Brien, 8th Earl of Thomond Henry O'Brien, 8th Earl of Thomond (14 August 1688 – 20 April 1741) was an Irish peer and Member of Parliament. He was born the son of Henry Horatio O'Brien, Lord Ibrackan, who was to predecease his own father in 1690, allowing the title of Ear ...

(1688–1741), grandson of the 7th Earl. All titles forfeit on his death. *''

, titular 9th Earl of Thomond (1699–1761)'' *'' Charles O'Brien, 7th Viscount Clare, titular 10th Earl of Thomond (died 1774)''

Earls of Thomond (1756)

Percy Wyndham-O'Brien, 1st Earl of Thomond Percy Wyndham-O'Brien, 1st Earl of Thomond (c. 1713–1774) was a British Member of Parliament and an Irish peer. Origins He was the younger of the two sons of Tory statesman Sir William Wyndham, 3rd Baronet (c.1688–1740) of Orchard Wyndham, ...

(c. 1723–1774)

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Thomond Extinct earldoms in the Peerage of Ireland O'Brien dynasty Earl Forfeited earldoms in the Peerage of Ireland Noble titles created in 1543 Noble titles created in 1756 Extinct earldoms in the Jacobite Peerage Peerages created with special remainders