Viscount de Vesci

Viscount de Vesci, of Abbeyleix in the Queen's County, now called County Laois (pronounced "leash"), is a title in the Peerage of Ireland. It was created in 1776 for Thomas Vesey, 1st Viscount de Vesci & 2nd Baron Knapton. The title Baron Knapton was created in the Peerage of Ireland in 1750 for the first Viscount's father, John Vesey, 1st Baron Knapton & 2nd Baronet, who had earlier represented Newtownards in the Irish House of Commons. The Baronetcy, of Abbeyleix in the Queen's County, was created in the Baronetage of Ireland on 28 September 1698 for the first Baron's father Reverend Thomas Vesey, Bishop of Killaloe (1713–1714) and Bishop of Ossory (1714–1730).

The first Viscount's son, the second Viscount, was a Member of the Irish House of Commons for Maryborough. He sat in the House of Lords as an Irish Representative Peer from 1839–55, and served as Lord Lieutenant of Queen's County between 1831-55. The third Viscount represented Queen's County in the House of Commons as a Conservative and was an Irish Representative Peer from 1857-75. The fourth Viscount served as Lord Lieutenant of Queen's County from 1883-1903.

In 1884, the fourth Viscount was created Baron de Vesci, of Abbey Leix in the Queen's County, in the Peerage of the United Kingdom, which gave him an automatic seat in the House of Lords. However, this title became extinct on his death while he was succeeded in the Irish titles by his nephew, the fifth Viscount. He was an Irish Representative Peer from 1909 to 1958. On his death the titles passed to his nephew, the sixth Viscount. As of 2014^[update] they are held by the latter's son, the seventh Viscount, who succeeded in 1983.

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