Charleville

Charleville, named for Charles II, was enfranchised by a charter of 1673, 23 Chas II, on the usual pattern - a sovereign, 12 burgesses and freemen. It originally belonged to the Earl of Orrery, the senior member of the Speaker's branch of the Boyle family. After the death of Lord Burlington in September 1753 the earldom of Cork devolved on this branch of the family and the earldom of Burlington became extinct. Speaker Boyle also managed this political interest. By the end of the century Lord Shannon and Lord Cork nominated the return for one seat each, and at the Union the compensation was divided equally between them.114