The Earls of Cavan

By Frank Meehan
Source Laois Yearbook 1989

Charles 1st Earl of Cavan

Charles Lambert was born in Maryborough about 1599 the son of Oliver Lambert, M.P. for Cavan, 1613-1615, 1st Lord Lambert Baron of Cavan by his wife Hester Fleetwood. He settled for a while in Ratheniska and built a house, which he called Lamberton Park. He succeeded as 2nd Lord Lambert Baron of Cavan in 1618 on the death of his father. In 1625 he went over to England and got elected M.P. for Cornwall and held the seat till 1629. In November 1634 he returned to Ireland took his seat in the House of Lords and distinguished himself as a Speaker.

He married in June 1625 the Lady Jane Robortes, daughter of the Baron Robortes of Truro and sister of John 1st Earl of Radnor.

He was appointed Seneschal for the County of Cavan and the town of Kells. He took over Lord Valentinas Regiment when he resigned the Command and raised another regiment of a 1000 foot and fought against the Confederation of Kilkenny. In 1642 he became Commander of the forces of King Charles I in Dublin and played a very active part in the cause of the King. On the 1st of April 1647 he was created Viscount Kilcoursey in King's County and Earl of the County of Cavan (Earl of Cavan for short).

Most of his lands were confiscated by Cromwell and he was given a pension. He died 25th June 1660 and was buried in St Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin.

Richard 2nd Earl of Cavan

Richard 2nd Earl of Cavan and 3rd Lord Lambert. He was born about 1630 at Lamberton, Maryborough. The family estates were restored to him by King Charles. He sat as M.P. for Kilbeggan 1647 to 1649. Succeeded as 2nd Earl on the death of his father. Married twice, his first wife was daughter Rose of Sir James Ware of Dublin whom he married in 1648. She died in 1649 and he married Elizabeth Keane, the widow of Francis Derenzl of Kilbride, Kings County.

In 1670 he went mad and was taken care of by his wife. She died in 1686 but before death he was again in good health. He took his seat in the Parliament of King James II and backed the King till the very end. He died in May 1691 and was buried in Maryborough in Old St Peter's Churchyard.

Charles 3rd Earl of Cavan

Charles styled Lord Lambert at birth was born in Lamberton, Maryborough in 1649. Son of the 2nd Earl's first wife. In 1680 he went on a grand tour of Europe and remained out of Ireland till 1690.

On is return to Ireland in 1692 he backed King William III and saved the family estates. Succeeded as 3rd Earl of Cavan on the death of his father. He took his seat in the House of Lords 27th October, 1692.

In 1670 he married Castelina daughter of Henry Gilbert of Kilminchey Castle, Maryborough and sister of St Ledger Gilbert, M.P. for Maryborough. They had four sons and a daughter, their eldest son Charles Lord Lambert died in 1689. The Earl died 5th December 1702 and was buried in St Patrick's Cathedral. His widow died at Lamberton in 1742.

Richard 4th Earl of Cavan

Richard 4th Earl of Cavan was the 2nd son of the 3rd Earl. He was born about 1676 in Lamberton Park, Queens County. He succeeded as 4th Earl in 1702 on the death of his father. Took his seat in Parliament in 1703. Joined King William III's army and served in Spain, Portugal and the West Indies. Became Lieut. Col. Of Dormers Regiment. He later became Lieut. Col. of the Guards Regiment and Governor of the Royal Hospital, Kilmainham, Dublin.

He married in the Barbados, Margaret Trant, daughter of Captain Richard Trant, Governor of the Barbardos and niece of Sir Patrick Trant, M.P. for Queens County and later 1st Viscount Maryborough. He had two sons Gilbert Lord Larnbert who died young and Lord Kilcoursey who became 5th Earl of Cavan and three daughters the Lady Hester who married in 1738 Warner Westernra M.P. for Maryborough and Bargomaster of Maryborough from Heath House, Maryborough. Lady Gertrude married William Earl of Kerry and Lady Castelina died unmarried. His wife died 5th August, 1737 and he died March 1741 both were buried in Maryborough in St Peter's Church yard.

Ford 5th Earl of Cavan

Ford 5th Earl of Cavan was born in Lamberton, Queen's County in 1718. Succeeded as Earl on the death of his father. Took his seat in the House of Lords, October 1743. Was Grand Master of the Freemasons 1767-1769. Married March 24th, 1742, Elizabeth, daughter of James Wall of Dublin, by Mary, daughter of Richard Edgeworth of Longwood, Co Meath. She died in 1766 was buried in St Michael's in Dublin. He died 29th of September 1772 and was buried with his wife. Their only child, a daughter Elizabeth married Sir Michael Aromice Bart. He was succeeded as 6th Earl by his cousin Richard.

Lamberton was sold to Sir John Tydd, M.P. for Maryborough. He left is to his cousin Judge Arthur Moore M.P. for Tralee who voted against the Union. Lamberton was pulled down shortly after World War II and the timber and lead out of it were sold for scrap. It had been considered one of the finest mansions in Ireland.

Fredrick 9th Earl of Cavan

Frederick, 9th Earl of Cavan, was a member of the Home Rule party and was M.P. for South Somerset 1885-1892. He was made a Knight of St Patrick 3rd November 1894. The Earls of Cavan had only an Irish title and could not sit as Peers in the British House of Lords. The 9th Earl was born in 1839 and died in 1900. The present Earl is the 12th and resides in England. Oliver Lambert the first Lord Lambert had been senior Butcher and Supplier of meat to the Army in Queens County.

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