Robert Ward (1754–1831)

Robert Ward PC (Ire) (14 July 1754 – March 1831), styled The Honourable from 1770, was an Irish politician.

He was the fourth son of Bernard Ward, 1st Viscount Bangor and his wife Lady Ann Bligh, daughter of John Bligh, 1st Earl of Darnley and his wife Theodosia Bligh, 10th Baroness Clifton. His older brothers were Nicholas Ward, 2nd Viscount Bangor and Edward Ward. Following the latter's death in 1812, he conveyed the by-that-time-insane 2nd Viscount out of his residence Castle Ward and plundered it.

He entered the Irish House of Commons in 1777, sitting for Wicklow Borough until 1783. Ward was elected for Killyleagh in 1790 and represented it until 1798, when he was returned for Bangor, the family's customary constituency, until the Act of Union in 1801. In November of the latter year, he was sworn of the Privy Council of Ireland. He was appointed High Sheriff of Down for 1792–93.

Ward was a trustee of the Irish Linen Board and from 1805 was Governor of County Down. In 1800, he became the first colonel of the new established South Downshire Militia. Ward won a by-election to the British House of Commons for Down in May 1812, however he did not stand in the next general election in October.