278 RICHARD BUTLER, THIRD VisCOUNT MoUNTGARRET, a nobleman of emi- nent virtues, and celebrated in the history of Ireland for his conduct in the rebellion of 1641, was the eldest son of Edmond, the second Viscount Mountgarret. He mar- ried Margaret, the daughter of Hugh ONeal, Earl of Tyrone, in whose rebellion he engaged in 1599, and de- fended the castles of Ballyraggett and Cullihill, at the head of his own dependants, with great bravery and skill. He was afterwards reconciled to the government, and suc- ceeded to his paternal estates on the decease of his father in 1605, after which time his lordship constantly took his seat as a peer of parliament. On the commencement of the great rebellion in 1641, his lordship was joined in com- mission with the Earl of Ormonde in the government of the county of Kilkenny; which afterwards, on the ad- vancement of Ormonde to the command of the army devolved upon him alone. A report, however, which was promulgated at the commencement of 1642, of the deter mination of the council to extirpate the religion of the ehurch of Rome and its professors, induced him to take up arms, and embark himself and his family in a firm and decided opposition to a step which appeared so destrac- tive to his religion and interest ; a design which was much facilitated by his family connections, which extended to most of the principal inhabitants of the county of Kil- keniny, who were readily induced by his persuasions to join him in his endeavours. Attended by a numerous train he advanced to the city of Kilkenny, which he took pos- session of, and issued a proclamation, strictly enjoining all his followers, neither to pillage nor hurt the English inha- bitants, either in body or goods; a precaution essentially necessary, and which had the effect of preventing any excesses. A more arduous situation than that which his lordship occupied, can hardly be imagined; the leader of a popular commotion, composed of such various materials,
