Walter de Burgh, 1st Earl of Ulster
Walter de Burgh, 1st Earl of Ulster, 2nd Lord of Connaught, also spelt Bourke or Burke, was an Irish peer from the House of Burke.Biography
De Burgh was the second son of Richard Mór de Burgh, 1st Lord of Connaught and Egidia de Lacy. He founded Athassel Priory.
In 1243, he succeeded his father as Lord of Connacht. In a royal order from Westminster in September 1247, Sir John FitzGeoffrey was charged by the King with seizing the lands of Walter de Burgh's older brother Richard, who had died. The de Burgh lands in Connaught were being held by John de Livet, likely the son of Gilbert de Lyvet, one of the earliest Lord Mayors of Dublin and Marmaduke de Eschales.
In 1264, he married a cousin Lady Maud de Lacy, only daughter and heiress of Hugh de Lacy, 1st Earl of Ulster. That year De Burgh was created Earl of Ulster in her right. In 1270, he and Walter de Ufford, the Justiciar of Ireland, were defeated by Aedh mac Felim Ua Conchobair at Ath an Chip.
He married secondly Aveline, daughter of Sir John FitzGeoffrey, Justiciar of Ireland, by his wife, Isabel Bigod.
He died, aged about 40, in Galway, and was succeeded by his eldest son, Richard Óg de Burgh, 2nd Earl of Ulster. Other children were three sons, Theobald, William and Thomas, and daughter, Egidia, who married Sir James Stewart, High Steward of Scotland.
