Earl of Listowel

Earl of Listowel (pronounced "Lis-"toe"-ell") is a title in the Peerage of Ireland. It was created in 1822 for William Hare. He had already been created Baron Ennismore, in the County of Kerry, in 1800, and Viscount Ennismore and Listowel, in 1816, also in the Peerage of Ireland. His grandson, the second Earl, represented Kerry and St Albans in the House of Commons. He was succeeded by his eldest son, the third Earl. In 1869 he was created Baron Hare, of Connamore in the County of Cork, in the Peerage of the United Kingdom, which gave him an automatic seat in the House of Lords. Lord Listowel later held minor office in the second administration of William Gladstone. His grandson, the fifth Earl, was a Labour politician and notably served as the last Secretary of State for India and Burma. As of 2007 the titles are held by the latter's eldest son, the sixth Earl, who succeeded in 1997. Lord Listowel is one of the ninety elected hereditary peers that remain in the House of Lords after the passing of the House of Lords Act 1999, and sits as a cross-bencher.

Another member of the family was the Conservative politician John Hare, 1st Viscount Blakenham. He was the third son of the fourth Earl.

Listowel is a town in County Kerry, Ireland.

Earls of Listowel (1822)

*William Hare, 1st Earl of Listowel (1751-1837)
*William Hare, 2nd Earl of Listowel (1801-1856)
*William Hare, 3rd Earl of Listowel (1833-1924)
*Richard Granville Hare, 4th Earl of Listowel (1866-1931)
*William Francis Hare, 5th Earl of Listowel (1906-1997)
*Francis Michael Hare, 6th Earl of Listowel (b. 1964)

The Heir Presumptive is the present holder's younger brother Hon. Timothy Patrick Hare (b. 1966)

ee also

*Viscount Blakenham

References

*Kidd, Charles, Williamson, David (editors). "Debrett's Peerage and Baronetage" (1990 edition). New York: St Martin's Press, 1990.
* [http://www.angeltowns.com/town/peerage/ Leigh Rayment's Peerage Page]
* [http://website.lineone.net/~david.beamish/index.htm David Beamish's Peerage Page]