Ulysses Burgh

Ulysses Burgh (1632-1692) was an Irish Anglican bishop in the 17th century.

He was appointed Dean of Emly, in 1685, and was appointed Bishop of Ardagh a few months before his death in 1692. Although he owed his earlier advancement to King James II, he was a strong supporter of the Glorious Revolution.

He was born at the family estate, Drumkeen, County Limerick, son of the Rev Richard Burgh. Drumkeen was burnt by Jacobite forces during the Glorious Revolution, but rebuilt, and remained the family homes for generations. He married Mary, daughter of Colonel William Kingsmill of Ballinbeg Abbey, County Cork, and had at least eight children. Many of his descendants were people of distinction. His son Thomas Burgh was one of the foremost Irish architects of the eighteenth century: he designed Trinity College Library and Dr Steevens' Hospital among many notable other buildings. Two of Ulysses' others sons, Richard and William, sat in the Irish House of Commons.

His great-grandson Ulysses Burgh, 2nd Baron Downes was Surveyor-General of the Ordnance under Lord Liverpool between 1820 and 1827. Another great-grandson was Walter Hussey Burgh, Chief Baron of the Irish Exchequer, and one of the foremost orators of his generation.