The Lord High Chancellor of Ireland (commonly known as Lord Chancellor of Ireland) was the highest judicial office in Ireland until the establishment of the

Irish Free State The Irish Free State ( ga, Saorstát Éireann, , ; 6 December 192229 December 1937) was a state established in December 1922 under the Anglo-Irish Treaty of December 1921. The treaty ended the three-year Irish War of Independence between ...

in 1922. From 1721 to 1801, it was also the highest political office of the Irish Parliament: the Chancellor was Speaker of the Irish House of Lords. The Lord Chancellor was also Lord Keeper of the Great Seal of Ireland. In all three respects, the office mirrored the

Lord High Chancellor of Great Britain The lord chancellor, formally the lord high chancellor of Great Britain, is the highest-ranking traditional minister among the Great Officers of State in Scotland and England in the United Kingdom, nominally outranking the prime minister. Th ...

Origins

There is a good deal of confusion as to precisely when the office originated. Until the reign of

Henry III of England Henry III (1 October 1207 – 16 November 1272), also known as Henry of Winchester, was King of England, Lord of Ireland, and Duke of Aquitaine from 1216 until his death in 1272. The son of King John and Isabella of Angoulême, Henry ...

, it is doubtful if the offices of Irish and English Chancellor were distinct. Only in 1232 is there a clear reference to a separate

Court of Chancery (Ireland) The Court of Chancery was a court which exercised equitable jurisdiction in Ireland until its abolition as part of the reform of the court system in 1877. It was the court in which the Lord Chancellor of Ireland presided. Its final sitting place ...

. Early Irish Lord Chancellors, beginning with Stephen Ridell in 1186, were simply the English Chancellor acting through a Deputy. In about 1244 the decision was taken that there must be separate holders of the office in England and Ireland.Ball p. 8 Elrington Ball states that the salary was fixed at sixty marks a year, equivalent to forty pounds sterling. Although it was twice what an itinerant justice was paid at the time, this was apparently not considered to be a very generous amount: Richard Northalis, Lord Chancellor 1393–97, complained that it did not cover even a third of his expenses, and asked for an extra payment of twenty pounds a year. In the earlier centuries, the Lord Chancellor was always a cleric, and usually an Englishman. Lay Chancellors became common after the

Reformation The Reformation (alternatively named the Protestant Reformation or the European Reformation) was a major movement within Western Christianity in 16th-century Europe that posed a religious and political challenge to the Catholic Church and in ...

, and no cleric was appointed Chancellor after 1665, but although there were a number of exceptions, the Crown retained a preference for English-born Chancellors until the mid-nineteenth century.

Lord Chancellors of Ireland, 1186–1922

12th century

* Stephen Ridell. Appointed in 1186.Ball p. 6 (first Chancellor). Came to Ireland in the entourage of the future King John, and was then referred to as "his Chancellor".

13th century

* John de Worchley ( 1219– 1234) * Ralph Neville (1234– 1235). Also

Lord Chancellor of England The lord chancellor, formally the lord high chancellor of Great Britain, is the highest-ranking traditional minister among the Great Officers of State in Scotland and England in the United Kingdom, nominally outranking the prime minister ...

, Bishop of Chichester and

Archbishop of Canterbury The archbishop of Canterbury is the senior bishop and a principal leader of the Church of England, the ceremonial head of the worldwide Anglican Communion and the diocesan bishop of the Diocese of Canterbury. The current archbishop is Just ...

. * Alan de Sanctafide (1235– 1237) * Geoffrey de Turville,

Bishop of Ossory The Bishop of Ossory () is an episcopal title which takes its name after the ancient of Kingdom of Ossory in the Province of Leinster, Ireland. In the Roman Catholic Church it remains a separate title, but in the Church of Ireland it has ...

(1237) * Ralph de Norwich (1237– 1238) * Robert Luttrell (1238– 1245), Archdeacon of Armagh and Treasurer of St. Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin. * William Welwood (1245– 1259) * Fromund Le Brun (1259–

1283 Year 1283 (Roman numerals, MCCLXXXIII) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar) of the Julian calendar. Events By place Europe * June 1 – Treaty of Rheinfelden: The 11-year-old Rudolf II, Duke ...

). He was elected Archbishop of Dublin, but his election was contested by William de la Corner: the conflict lasted from 1271 to 1279. Pope Nicholas III declared both elections void in 1279, and appointed

John de Derlington John de Derlington (John of Darlington) (died 1284) was an English Dominican, Archbishop of Dublin and theologian. Life Derlington became a Dominican friar, and it has been inferred that he studied at Paris at the Dominican priory of St Jacques, ...

instead. *

Walter de Fulburn Walter de Fulburn, or de Fulbourn (died 1307) was a leading English-born statesman and cleric in medieval Ireland, who held the offices of Bishop of Waterford, Bishop of Meath and Lord Chancellor of Ireland He was born in the village of Fulbourn ...

Bishop of Waterford The Bishop of Waterford was a medieval prelate, governing the Diocese of Waterford from its creation in the 11th century until it was absorbed into the new Roman Catholic Diocese of Waterford and Lismore in the 14th century. After the creation of ...

(1283–

1288 Year 1288 ( MCCLXXXVIII) was a leap year starting on Thursday (link will display the full calendar) of the Julian calendar. Events By place Europe * June 5 – Battle of Worringen: Dutch forces under Duke John I (the Victorious) ...

). *

William de Beverley William de Beverley, Le Buerlaco, or de Burlaco (died 1289 or 1292) was a senior English Crown official and judge of the reign of King Edward I of England. He held high public office, and spent his last years in Ireland as Lord Chancellor of Irel ...

, or Le Buerlaco (1288–

1292 Year 1292 ( MCCXCII) was a leap year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar) of the Julian calendar. Events By place Europe * June 24 – Castilian forces led by King Sancho IV (the Brave) begin the siege of Ta ...

). *

Thomas Cantock Thomas Cantock, Quantock or Cantok (died 3 February 1309 in Ireland, 1309) was an English-born cleric and judge in medieval Ireland, who held the offices of Bishop of Emly and Lord Chancellor of Ireland. Background and early life O'Flanagan, ...

Bishop of Emly The Bishop of Emly ( ga, Imleach Iubhair; la, Imilicensis) was a separate episcopal title which took its name after the village of Emly in County Tipperary, Republic of Ireland. In both the Church of Ireland and the Roman Catholic Church, it has ...

(1292–

1294 Year 1294 ( MCCXCIV) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar) of the Julian calendar. Events Asia * February 18 – Kublai Khan dies; by this time the separation of the four khanates of the Mongol Empire ...

). * Adam de Wodington. Appointed in 1294.

14th century

( 1306–

1308 Year 1308 ( MCCCVIII) was a leap year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar) of the Julian calendar. Events By place Europe * November 13 – The Teutonic Knights capture Gdańsk by treachery – while ...

). The same as the above. * Adam de Wodington (1308). The same as above. * Richard de Beresford. Deputy in 1307, Chancellor in 1308 * Walter de Thornbury, died

1313 Year 1313 ( MCCCXIII) was a common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar) of the Julian calendar. Events January–December * November 9 – Battle of Gammelsdorf: Louis the Bavarian defeats his cousin Fre ...

: while he was travelling to

Avignon Avignon (, ; ; oc, Avinhon, label= Provençal or , ; la, Avenio) is the prefecture of the Vaucluse department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region of Southeastern France. Located on the left bank of the river Rhône, the commune had ...

to secure his election as Archbishop of Dublin, his ship was sunk in a storm and he drowned. * Stephen Riddel (c. 1313–1318). *

William FitzJohn William Fitzjohn (died 15 September 1326) was a leading prelate in early fourteenth-century Ireland. He held the offices of Bishop of Ossory, Archbishop of Cashel, and Lord Chancellor of Ireland. He is chiefly remembered now for building the to ...

( 1318– 1320). Later

Archbishop of Cashel The Archbishop of Cashel ( ga, Ard-Easpag Chaiseal Mumhan) was an archiepiscopal title which took its name after the town of Cashel, County Tipperary in Ireland. Following the Reformation, there had been parallel apostolic successions to the tit ...

. *

Roger Utlagh Roger Utlagh, or Roger Outlawe ( 1260 – 1341) was a leading Irish cleric, judge and statesman of the fourteenth century who was Prior of Kilmainham, and held the office of Lord Chancellor of Ireland. He was the brother-in-law of the celebrated ...

, Prior of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem, Kilmainham. Appointed in 1321. *

Adam de Lymbergh Adam de Lymbergh (died 1339) was an English Crown official and judge of the early fourteenth century, who served two Kings with distinction. He was Lord Chancellor of Ireland, a Baron of the Exchequer and Keeper of the Privy Seal. He was born in ...

( 1330– 1334)The history of the Lord Chancellors of Ireland from A.D. 1186 to A.D. 1874 * William, Prior of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem, Kilmainham (?1331–) * Alexander de Bicknor,

Primate of Ireland The Primacy of Ireland was historically disputed between the Archbishop of Armagh and the Archbishop of Dublin until finally settled by Pope Innocent VI. '' Primate'' is a title of honour denoting ceremonial precedence in the Church, and in t ...

(c. 1335 – ?1337) * Thomas Charlton, Bishop of Hereford (

1337 Year 1337 ( MCCCXXXVII) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar) of the Julian calendar. Events January–December * March 16 – Edward, the Black Prince establishes the Duchy of Cornwall, beco ...

– 1338). *

Robert de Hemmingburgh Robert de Hemmingburgh (died 1349) was an English-born judge and priest, who held office as Master of the Rolls in Ireland, and possibly as Lord Chancellor of Ireland. He took his name from his birthplace, Hemingbrough, in North Yorkshire. W ...

(1338–) * Robert de Askeby (

1340 Year 1340 ( MCCCXL) was a leap year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar) of the Julian calendar. Events * January 26 – King Edward III of England is declared King of France. * April 8 – Marinid galleys, un ...

–) * John L'Archers, Prior of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem. Appointed in 1343. * John Morice. c. 1344-1349 *

William de Bromley William de Bromley was a 14th-century dignitary in Ireland. He was probably originally from Cheshire. He acted as an attorney to Elizabeth, Countess of Ormond. He was prebendary of Lusk, County Dublin. He was Chancellor of the Exchequer of Ir ...

Dean of St Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin The Dean of St Patrick's Cathedral is the senior cleric of the Protestant St Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin, elected by the chapter of the cathedral. The office was created in 1219 or 1220, by one of several charters granted to the cathedral by Ar ...

(1346-1350) *

John de St Paul John de St Paul ( 1295 – 1362), also known as John de St. Pol, John de Owston and John de Ouston, was an English-born cleric and judge of the fourteenth century. He was Archbishop of Dublin 1349–62 and Lord Chancellor of Ireland 1350–56. He ...

, Archbishop of Dublin ( 1350– 1356) * Richard d'Askeaton (1356) *

John Frowyk John Frowyk (died after 1359) was an English-born cleric and judge in fourteenth-century Ireland. He became Prior of the Irish Chapter of the Order of Knights Hospitaller, whose house was at Kilmainham, in 1356 and in the same year was appointed ...

, Prior of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem ( 1357–

1359 Year 1359 ( MCCCLIX) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar) of the Julian calendar. Events January–December * May 25 – The French States-General repudiates the terms of the Second Treaty o ...

) *

Thomas de Burley Thomas de Burley (died c.1371) was an English-born monk who served as a Crown official and judge in fourteenth-century Ireland. He held office twice as Lord Chancellor of Ireland. He was the Irish Prior of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem, who ...

, Prior of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem (1359– 1364) * Robert de Ashton (1364) *

Thomas le Reve Thomas le Reve (died 1394) was the first Bishop of Waterford and Lismore following the unification of the two sees in 1363, and was also Lord Chancellor of Ireland. He was a strong-minded and combative individual, who was not afraid to clash wit ...

Bishop of Waterford and Lismore The Bishop of Waterford and Lismore is an episcopal title which takes its name after the city of Waterford and town of Lismore in Ireland. The title was used by the Church of Ireland until 1838, and is still used by the Roman Catholic Church. His ...

(

1367 Year 1367 ( MCCCLXVII) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar) of the Julian calendar. Events January–December * January 18 – Ferdinand I becomes King of Portugal after the death of his fathe ...

1368 Year 1368 ( MCCCLXVIII) was a leap year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar) of the Julian calendar. Events January–December * January 23 – The Hongwu Emperor (Zhu Yuanzhang) establishes the Ming Dynasty ...

) *

, Prior of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem (1368–

1371 Year 1371 ( MCCCLXXI) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar) of the Julian calendar. Events January–December * January – Edward, the Black Prince, gives up the administration of Aquitai ...

), second term. *

John de Bothby John de Bothby, or Boothby ( born c.1320-died after 1382) was an English-born cleric and judge who became Lord Chancellor of Ireland. Biography Boothby was born at Boothby Pagnall in Lincolnshire, the second son of Thomas de Bothby and his wife ...

(1371–

1374 Year 1374 ( MCCCLXXIV) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar) of the Julian calendar. Events January–December * April 23 – In recognition of his services, Edward III of England grants the Eng ...

) * William Tany, Prior of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem (1374– 1377).Otway-Ruthven p. 302 **

John Keppock John Keppock (died 1404) was an Irish judge of the late fourteenth century, who held the offices of Lord Chief Justice of Ireland and Chief Baron of the Irish Exchequer. He became a political figure of some importance. He was the son of Simon K ...

, Lord Keeper in the absence of William Tany to

Jerusalem Jerusalem (; he, יְרוּשָׁלַיִם ; ar, القُدس ) (combining the Biblical and common usage Arabic names); grc, Ἱερουσαλήμ/Ἰεροσόλυμα, Hierousalḗm/Hierosóluma; hy, Երուսաղեմ, Erusałēm. i ...

* Robert Wikeford or de Wikeford, Archbishop of Dublin and

(1377– 1379) * John Colton, Dean of St. Patrick's Cathedral(1379– 1382). Later

Archbishop of Armagh In Christian denominations, an archbishop is a bishop of higher rank or office. In most cases, such as the Catholic Church, there are many archbishops who either have jurisdiction over an ecclesiastical province in addition to their own archdio ...

. * William Tany, Prior of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem (1382–1385). The same as above. *

Ralph Cheyne Sir Ralph Cheyne (c. 1337 – 1400) (''alias'' Cheney), of Brooke, in the parish of Westbury in Wiltshire, was three times a Member of Parliament for Wiltshire and was Deputy Justiciar of Ireland in 1373 and Lord Chancellor of Ireland 1383� ...

(

1383 Year 1383 ( MCCCLXXXIII) was a common year starting on Thursday (link will display the full calendar) of the Julian calendar. Events January–December * May 17 – King John I of Castile and Leon marries Beatrice of Portugal. * ...

-4) *

Alexander de Balscot Alexander de Balscot, also known as Alexander Petit (died 1400) was one of the leading Irish clerics of the late fourteenth century, who held the offices of Bishop of Ossory, Bishop of Meath, Treasurer of Ireland and Lord Chancellor of Ireland. ...

( 1385–

1388 Year 1388 ( MCCCLXXXVIII) was a leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display full calendar) of the Julian calendar. Events January–December * February – The entire court of Richard II of England are convicted of treason b ...

).Ball p. 98 *

Robert Preston, 1st Baron Gormanston Robert Preston, 1st Baron Gormanston (died 1396) was an Anglo-Irish nobleman, statesman and judge of the fourteenth century. He held several senior judicial offices including, for a brief period, that of Lord Chancellor of Ireland. He was the foun ...

1388 * Richard Plunkett (1388– 1393) * Richard Northalis,

(1393–

1397 Year 1397 ( MCCCXCVII) was a common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar) of the Julian calendar. Events January–December * January – Mircea I takes back the throne of Wallachia. * February 10 – ...

). Also Archbishop of Dublin and

from 1395 to his death. * Robert Braybrooke,

Bishop of London A bishop is an ordained clergy member who is entrusted with a position of authority and oversight in a religious institution. In Christianity, bishops are normally responsible for the governance of dioceses. The role or office of bishop is ca ...

(1397)

15th century

* Thomas Cranley,

(

1401 Year 1401 ( MCDI) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar) of the Julian calendar. Events January–December * January 6 – Rupert, King of Germany, is crowned King of the Romans at Cologne. * ...

– 1410) ** Sir Laurence Merbury, Deputy Chancellor (1403–1410), who exercised the duties of Chancellor while Cranley was too ill to do so. ** Roger Hawkenshaw, acted as Deputy for Cranley in 1416, when he was again incapacitated by illness. *

Patrick Barrett Patrick Barrett (died 10 November 1415) was an Irishman who held religious and secular high offices in Ireland. Biography Patrick Barrett was an Augustinian Canon at Kells Priory in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Ossory, County Kilkenny. He ...

, Bishop of Ferns (1410–1412) * Thomas Le Boteller, Prior of Kilmainham. Lord Keeper (1412–1413). The name of his family would change to Butler. ** Robert Sutton, Deputy Chancellor ( 1412–1413) * Thomas Cranley,

( 1413–1417) (second term) * Sir Laurence Merbury (

1417 Year 1417 ( MCDXVII) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar) of the Julian calendar. Events January–December * June 29 – An English fleet, led by the Earl of Huntingdon, defeats a fleet of Ge ...

) (second term) * William Fitz Thomas, Prior of Kilmainham (c. 1417–1418) * William Yonge, or Young,

Archdeacon of Meath The archdeacon of Meath is a senior ecclesiastical officer within the united Diocese of Meath and Kildare. The archdeaconry can trace its history from Helias, the first known incumbent, who held the office in the twelfth century to the last discr ...

(c.

1418 Year 1418 ( MCDXVIII) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar) of the Julian calendar. Events January–December * January 31 – Mircea I of Wallachia is succeeded by Michael I of Wallachia. * ...

–1419) * Richard Talbot,

(

1423 Year 1423 ( MCDXXIII) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar) of the Julian calendar. Events January–December * April 27 – Hussite Wars – Battle of Hořice: The Taborites decisively bea ...

–1426) * William Fitz Thomas ( 1426) (second term) * Sir

Richard FitzEustace Sir Richard FitzEustace (c.1380–1445) was an Irish statesman who twice held the office of Lord Chancellor of Ireland. Family background He was born about 1380 in Coghlanstown, County Kildare. His father was Sir Maurice FitzEustace, High Sher ...

(1426) * Richard Talbot,

(1426–1441) * Thomas Chase ( 1441–1446) * Richard Wogan ( 1446–1449), Lord Chancellor **

William Chevir William Chevir (died 1446) was an Irish politician and judge, whose career was marked by accusations of oppression and corruption. Family He was born in Kilkenny city, son of John Chevir, justice of the peace for County Kilkenny;Ball, F. Elrin ...

(1446–1449), Deputy Chancellor * Walter Devereux ( 1449–1451) * Edmund, Earl of Rutland ( 1451–1460). Lord Chancellor, a minor who acted through Edmund Oldhall. **

Edmund Oldhall Edmund Oldhall (after 1390 – 1459) was an English-born cleric and judge in fifteenth-century Ireland. He was Bishop of Meath and acting Lord Chancellor of Ireland. He was a brother of the leading Yorkist statesman Sir William Oldhall. He wa ...

(1451–1454),

Bishop of Meath The Bishop of Meath is an episcopal title which takes its name after the ancient Kingdom of Meath. In the Roman Catholic Church it remains as a separate title, but in the Church of Ireland it has been united with another bishopric. History Un ...

, Deputy Chancellor, who exercised the duties of the office of Chancellor since Rutland was underage ** John Talbot, later 2nd Earl of Shrewsbury ( 1454–1460). Deputy Chancellor, exercised the duties of the office. * John Dynham ( 1460–1461), Lord Chancellor ** Sir Robert Preston, 1st Viscount Gormanston, Deputy Chancellor * Sir William Welles ( 1461–1462) * John Tiptoft, 1st Earl of Worcester ( 1462–1463). By decree of Edward IV of England, he held the title of Lord Chancellor for life. He continued receiving the salary of the position and exercising some of its functions until his death in 1470. * Thomas FitzGerald, 7th Earl of Kildare (c. 1463 – 1468). By decree of Edward IV of England, he held the title of Lord Chancellor for life. He continued receiving the salary of the position and exercising some of its functions until his death in 1478. * Robert Allanstown (

1468 Year 1468 ( MCDLXVIII) was a leap year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar) of the Julian calendar. Events January–December *June 30 – Catherine Cornaro is married by proxy to James II of Cyprus, beginning ...

–1469) * William Dudley ( 1469–1472) * Joint Lord Chancellors of Ireland ( 1472–1477) **

Robert FitzEustace Sir Robert FitzEustace (c.1420–1486) was an Irish landowner and politician of the fifteenth century. He was born at Coghlanstown, County Kildare, son of Sir Richard FitzEustace, who served briefly as Lord Chancellor of Ireland, and Katherine Pr ...

** John Taxton *

Gilbert Debenham Sir Gilbert Debenham (junior) (1432–1500) was an English knight, politician and soldier who served briefly as Lord Chancellor of Ireland. Although, like his father before him, he had a notorious reputation for lawlessness, he flourished in the ...

(

1474 Year 1474 (Roman numerals, MCDLXXIV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar) of the Julian calendar. Events January–December * February – The Treaty of Utrecht (1474), Treaty of Utrecht puts ...

) * Rowland FitzEustace, 1st Baron Portlester (1474–1479)Otway-Ruthven p. 389 * William Sherwood,

( 1480–1482) *

Walter Champfleur Walter Champfleur or de Champfleur (died 1498 or 1499) was an Irish cleric and judge of the fifteenth century, who played a leading role in Irish politics.Ball p.186 He was probably a Dubliner, and had cousins living near Dublin city. He was Abbo ...

, Abbot of

St Mary's Abbey, Dublin St. Mary's Abbey () was a former Cistercian abbey located near the junction of Abbey Street and Capel Street in Dublin, Ireland. Its territory stretched from the district known as Oxmanstown down along the River Liffey until it met the sea. I ...

(Lord Keeper, or by some accounts Lord Chancellor 1479 and 1482-1483)Ball p.186 * Robert St Lawrence, 3rd Baron Howth (May 1483, but probably died a few months later) * Sir

Thomas FitzGerald of Laccagh Sir Thomas FitzGerald of Laccagh (c.1458–1487) was an Irish lawyer, statesman and soldier who was Lord Chancellor of Ireland under Richard III and Henry VII, but rebelled against Henry and was killed at the Battle of Stoke.Ball, F. Elrington ...

(c.1483 – 1487) * Rowland FitzEustace, 1st Baron Portlester (

1487 Year 1487 ( MCDLXXXVII) was a common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar) of the Julian calendar. Events January–December * January 29 – Richard Foxe becomes Bishop of Exeter. * March – Sigismun ...

–1492). The same as above. *

Alexander Plunket Alexander Plunket ( died 1503 ) was an Irish statesman and judge of the fifteenth century. He was appointed Lord Chancellor of Ireland by King Henry VII of England in 1492. Rowland FitzEustace, 1st Baron Portlester was Lord Chancellor and Lord T ...

(

1492 Year 1492 ( MCDXCII) was a leap year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar) of the Julian calendar. 1492 is considered to be a significant year in the history of the West, Europe, Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Spain, and the ...

–1494) * Henry Deane, later

( 1494–1495) *

Walter Fitzsimon Walter Fitzsimon (died 1511) was a statesman and cleric in Ireland in the reign of Henry VII, who held the offices of Archbishop of Dublin and Lord Chancellor of Ireland. Biography He was born in Dublin, the son of Robert Fitzsimon and his ...

( 1496– 1511)

16th century

* William Rokeby,

( 1512– 1513) * Sir William Compton (1513– 1515) * William Rokeby,

(1515– 1521). The same as above. *

Hugh Inge Hugh Inge or Ynge(c. 1460 – 3 August 1528) was an English-born judge and prelate in sixteenth century Ireland who held the offices of Bishop of Meath, Archbishop of Dublin and Lord Chancellor of Ireland. Biography Inge was born at Shepton Malle ...

( 1522– 1528) * John Alen,

(1528–1532) *

George Cromer George Cromer (died 16 March 1542) was Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland in the reign of Henry VIII of England, from 1521/2. He was English by birth, a descendant of the Cromer (also spelt Crowemer) family of Tunstall, Kent and ...

(1532–1534) * John Barnewall, 3rd Baron Trimlestown (1534–1538) * Sir John Alan (1538–1546, 1548–1551). Lord Keeper from 1538 to 1539, Lord Chancellor from 1539 to 1546: removed but later reinstated. * Sir Thomas Cusack 1 May 1546 (Lord Keeper)Ball p. 130 * Sir

Richard Reade Sir Richard Reade (1511–1576) was an English-born judge in sixteenth-century Ireland, who held the office of Lord Chancellor of Ireland. Background and early career He was born at Nether Wallop in Hampshire, second son of Richard Reade (d ...

(6 December 1546 – 1548) * Sir John Alan (1548–1551) * Sir Thomas Cusack (1551–1554) * Sir William Fitzwilliam, Lord Keeper (1554) * Archbishop Hugh Curwen (1555–1567). Lord Chancellor from 1555 to 1558, Lord Keeper from 1558 to 1559, Lord Chancellor from 1559 to 1567. * Doctor Robert Weston, Dean of the Arches (1567–1573) * Archbishop Adam Loftus (Lord Keeper) (1573–1576)Ball p. 131 * Sir

William Gerard Sir William Gerard (1518–1581) was an Elizabethan statesman, who had a distinguished record of government service in England, Wales and most notably in Ireland. He sat in the House of Commons for Chester for many years, and was Vice-President ...

(1576–1581) * Archbishop Adam Loftus (1581–1605) the same as the above.

17th century

* Commissioners of the Great Seal of Ireland (1605) ** Thomas Jones,

** Sir James Ley LCJ ** Sir Edmund Pelham LCB ** Sir Anthony St Leger MR * Archbishop Thomas Jones (1605–1619) * Commissioners of the Great Seal of Ireland (1619) **

Sir William Jones Sir William Jones (28 September 1746 – 27 April 1794) was a British philologist, a puisne judge on the Supreme Court of Judicature at Fort William in Bengal, and a scholar of ancient India. He is particularly known for his proposition of th ...

LCJ ** Sir William Methold LCB ** Sir Francis Aungier MR * The Viscount Loftus (1619–1639) * Sir Richard Bolton (1639 – November 1648) * Commissioners of the Great Seal of Ireland (14 June 1655−1656) ** Richard Pepys LCJ, Chief Commissioner (1655–1656) ** Gerard Lowther LCJCP, Second Commissioner (1655–1656) **

Miles Corbet Miles Corbet (1595–1662) was an English politician, recorder of Yarmouth and Regicide. Life He was the son of Sir Thomas Corbet of Sprowston, Norfolk and the younger brother of Sir John Corbet, 1st Baronet, MP for Great Yarmouth from 1 ...

LCB, Third Commissioner (1655–1656) * William Steele (1656–1660) * Sir Maurice Eustace (1660–1665) * Archbishop Michael Boyle (1665–1686) * Sir Charles Porter (1686–1687) * Sir Alexander Fitton (1687–1690) * Commissioners of the Great Seal of Ireland (1690) ** Sir Richard Pyne (1690) ** Sir Richard Ryves (1690) **

Robert Rochfort Robert Rochfort (9 December 1652 – 10 October 1727) was a leading Irish lawyer, politician and judge of the late seventeenth and early eighteenth centuries. He held office as Attorney General for Ireland, Chief Baron of the Irish Exchequer, a ...

(1690) * Charles Porter (second term) (29 December 1690 – 1696) * Commissioners of the Great Seal of Ireland (1696–1697) ** Sir John Jeffreyson ** Thomas Coote **

Nehemiah Donnellan Nehemiah Donnellan (a.k.a. Fearganainm Ó Domhnalláin) (fl. c. 1560-1609) was Archbishop of Tuam. Background Donellan was born in the county of Galway, a son of Mael Sechlainn Ó Dónalláin, by his wife Sisly, daughter of William Ó Cellaigh o ...

* John Methuen (11 March 1697 – 1703)

18th century

* Sir Richard Cox (1703–1707) * Richard Freeman (11 June 1707 – 1710) * Commissioners of the Great Seal of Ireland (1710–1) ** The Earl of Kildare ** Archbishop William King ** Thomas Keightley * Sir Constantine Henry Phipps (22 January 1711 – September 1714) * The Viscount Midleton (11 October 1714 – 1725) * Richard West (29 May 1725 – 1726)Ball Vol. 2 p. 101 * The Lord Wyndham (13 December 1726 – 1739) * The Viscount Jocelyn (7 September 1739 – 3 December 1756) * The Lord Bowes (11 March 1757 – 22 July 1767) (Attorney-General, 1739–41) * The Viscount Lifford (24 November 1767 – 28 April 1789) * Commissioners of the Great Seal of Ireland (1789) ** Archbishop Robert Fowler ** Hugh Carleton LCJCP ** Sir Samuel Bradstreet * The Earl of Clare (20 June 1789 – 28 January 1802) (sitting Attorney-General)

19th century

* The Lord Redesdale (15 February 1802 – 1806) * George Ponsonby (25 March 1806 – 1807) * The Lord Manners (23 April 1807 – 1827) * Sir Anthony Hart (5 November 1827– November 1830) * The Lord Plunket (23 December 1830 – November 1834) (Attorney-General, 1805–07 and 1822–27) * Sir Edward Sugden (13 January 1835 – April 1835) * The Lord Plunket (30 April 1835 – 1841) (see above) * The Lord Campbell (22 June 1841) * Sir Edward Sugden (3 October 1841 – 1846) (see above) *

Maziere Brady Sir Maziere Brady, 1st Baronet, PC (Ire) (20 July 1796 – 13 April 1871) was an Irish judge, notable for his exceptionally long, though not particularly distinguished tenure as Lord Chancellor of Ireland. Background Brady was born at his parents ...

(16 July 1846 – 1852) (Attorney-General, 1839–40) *

Francis Blackburne Francis Blackburne PC (Ire) KS (11 November 1782 – 17 September 1867) was an Irish judge and eventually became Lord Chancellor of Ireland. Background Born at Great Footstown in County Meath, he was the son of Richard Blackburne of Great Foot ...

(1852) (Attorney-General 1831-34 and 1841–42) *

(1852–1858) (see above)Delaney p. 29 * Sir Joseph Napier (1858–1859) (Attorney-General, 1852) *

(1859–1866) (see above) *

(1866–1867) (see above) * Abraham Brewster (Attorney-General, 1853–55) (1867–1868) * The Lord O'Hagan (1868–1874)Delaney p. 177 * Commissioners of the Great Seal of Ireland (1874–1875) ** Sir Joseph Napier, Chief Commissioner (1874–1875) **

James Anthony Lawson James Anthony Lawson, Privy Council of Ireland, PC (Ire), Queen's Counsel, QC (1817–1887) was an Irish academic, lawyer and judge. Background and education Lawson was born in Waterford. He was the eldest son of James Lawson and Mary Anthony, da ...

(1874–1875) ** William Brooke (1874–1875) * John Ball (1875–1880) (sitting Attorney-General) * The Lord O'Hagan (1880–1881) (see above) * Hugh Law (1881–1883) (sitting Attorney-General) * Sir Edward Sullivan (1883–1885) (Attorney-General, 1868) * John Naish (1885) (sitting Attorney-General) * The Lord Ashbourne (1885–1886) (Attorney-General, 1877–80)Healy, Maurice ''The Old Munster Circuit'' 1939 Mercier Press edition p. 27 * John Naish (1886) (see above) * The Lord Ashbourne (1886–1892) (see above)Healy p. 27 * Samuel Walker (1892–1895) (Attorney-General, February–August 1886) * The Lord Ashbourne (29 June 1895 – 1905) (see above)

20th century

References

External links

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Ireland Ireland ( ; ga, Éire ; Ulster-Scots: ) is an island in the North Atlantic Ocean, in north-western Europe. It is separated from Great Britain to its east by the North Channel, the Irish Sea, and St George's Channel. Ireland is the s ...

Legislative speakers in Ireland