Richard Mor de Burgh

Richard Mór de Burgh, 1st Lord of Connacht (c. 1194 – 1242), was a Hiberno-Norman and Justiciar of Ireland.

De Burgh was the eldest son of William de Burgh and his wife who was a daughter of Domnall Mór Ua Briain, King of Thomond. De Burgh's principal estate was in the barony of Loughrea where he built a castle in 1236 and a town was founded. He also founded Galway town and Ballinasloe. The islands on Lough Mask and Lough Orben were also part of his demesne.

From the death of his father in 1206 to 1214, Richard was a ward of the crown of England until he received his inheritance. In 1215 he briefly served in the household of his uncle Hubert de Burgh, Earl of Kent. In 1223 and again in 1225 he was appointed seneschal of Munster and keeper of Limerick castle.

In 1224, Richard claimed Connacht, which had been granted to his father but never, in fact, conquered by him. He asserted that the grant to Cathal Crobdearg Ua Conchobair, the Gaelic king, after his father's death had been on condition of faithful service, and that his son Aedh mac Cathal Crobdearg Ua Conchobair, who succeeded Cathal that year, had forfeited it. He had the favour of the justiciar of England, Hubert de Burgh, and was awarded Connacht in May 1227. Having been given custody of the counties of Cork and Waterford and all the crown lands of Decies and Desmond, he was appointed Justiciar of Ireland from 1228 to 1232.

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