Justin MacCarthy

Justin MacCarthy, Viscount Mountcashel (Irish: Saorbhreathach Mac Cárthaigh; died 1 July 1694) was a Jacobite general in the Williamite War in Ireland, and a personal friend of James II.

McCarthy was the younger son of Donough MacCarty, 1st Earl of Clancarty, head of the MacCarthy of Muskerry dynasty who held extensive lands in the former Kingdom of Desmond. His mother was Lady Eleanor Butler, sister of James Butler, 1st Duke of Ormonde. The family had had their property confiscated under the Cromwellian regime, but it was restored to them at the Restoration of Charles II . Justin McCarthy was made Viscount Mountcashel with the subsidiary title of Baron Castleinch on 1 May 1689 and became a Lieutenant-General.

Justin was born about 1643, and seems to have grown up mainly in France. He became a professional soldier, and showed great skill in his profession, but poor eyesight hampered his career. He entered the French army in 1671, and then transferred to the Duke of Monmouth's regiment, then in French pay, and served against the Dutch.

He came to England in 1678 and was befriended by the future James II, who generally chose soldiers, especially Irish soldiers, as his boon companions. Charles II decided to use him for service in Ireland, and made him a colonel in Sir Thomas Dongan's regiment. On the outbreak of the Popish Plot, however, the discovery of MacCarthy's presence at Whitehall caused uproar: he fled the country, and the Secretary of State, Sir Joseph Williamson, who had issued his commission, was sent to the Tower of London.

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