Earls of Kenmare
Sir Valentine Browne originated from Lincolnshire England. Sir Valentine Browne was the first member of the family to settle in Ireland after been appointed surveyor General of Ireland in 1559 by Queen Elizabeth I of England. Sir Valentine Browne was given 8000 acres of land from Queen Victoria as part of the Munster Plantation following the collapse of the Desmond Rebellion of 1583. For almost four hundred years the Browne family continued to hold the land in County Kerry. During the four hundred years there were seven Earls of Kenmare. During this time the Browne family entertained Queen Victoria at their home in Killarney. Despite adhering strongly to the catholic faith, the family’s possessions remained unaffected during the period of the penal laws. Sir Valentine Browne Sir Valentine Browne, 1st Baronet Sir Valentine Browne, 2nd Baronet Sir Valentine Browne, 1st Viscount Kenmare, 3rd Baronet (1638–1694) Sir Valentine Browne, 3rd Viscount Kenmare, 5th Baronet (1695–1736) Valentine Browne, 1st Earl of Kenmare (January 1754 – 1812). Valentine Browne, 2nd Earl of Kenmare (1788–1853), son of the 1st Earl. Thomas Browne, 3rd Earl of Kenmare (1789–1871), brother of the 2nd Earl. Valentine Augustus Browne, 4th Earl of Kenmare (1825–1905), son of the 3rd Earl. Valentine Charles Browne, 5th Earl of Kenmare (1860–1941). Valentine Edward Charles Browne, 6th Earl of Kenmare (1891–1943). Gerald Ralph Desmond Browne, 7th Earl of Kenmare (1896–1952) The Kenmare estate and the Browne was an important source of employment in Killarney. Horses drew timber for sale to Dublin during World War II, when coal was not available. A six-acre orchard was connected to the main estate via a tunnel under what is now the Muckross Road. Enough fruit and vegetables were grown to sell in shops in on the estate and in the Town Hall. |