Earl Kilmory

Portrait of John Needham, 10th Viscount Kilmory, by Thomas Gainsborough

Earl of Kilmorey Earl of Kilmorey is the hereditary title in the Irish Peer system . It was created in 1822 for Francis Needham, 12th Viscount Kilmory (1748-1832), general of the British Army and former member of the House of Commons from Newry (1806-1818). Along with the count's title, he received the title of Viscount Newry and Morne ( peer of Ireland ). He was succeeded by his son, Francis Needham, 2nd Earl of Kilmory (1787-1880). He also represented Newry in the House of Commons of Great Britain (1819-1826). His grandson, Francis Charles Needham, 3rd Earl of Kilmory (1842–1915), the son of Francis Jack Needham, Viscount Newry, was also a member of the House of Commons from Newry (1871–1874) and sat in the House of Lords as elected Irish Peer. Great Britain from 1881 to 1915 .

His eldest son, Francis Needham, 4th Earl of Kilmory (1883–1961), served as Lord Lieutenant of Down County (1949–1959) and Vice Admiral Ulster . Lord Kilmory was also an elected Irish peer-representative in the House of Lords of Great Britain (1916-1961), becoming the last surviving Irish peer -the representative to sit in the House of Lords. He was succeeded by his nephew, Francis Needham, 5th Earl of Kilmory (1915-1977). He was the son of the Honorable Francis Edward Needham, the second son of the 3rd Earl of Kilmory.

As of 2014 , the title holder is his eldest son, Richard Needham, 5th Earl of Kilmory (born 1942 ), who succeeded his father in 1977 . He does not use his titles, and is known as Sir Richard Needham. He was twice elected to the House of Commons from Chippenham (1979–1983) and North Wiltshire (1983–1997), and also served as Under Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1985–1992) and Secretary of State for Trade (1992–1995).

The title of Viscount Kilmory ( Pearst of Ireland ) was created in 1625 for Sir Robert Needham (c. 1565–1631), a member of the House of Commons from Shropshire County (1593–1597, 1604–1614) and the High Sheriff of Shropshire County in 1606 . His son, Robert Needham, 2nd Viscount Kilmory (1587/1588 - 1653), represented Newcastle-under-Lyme in the House of Commons and supported King Carl Stewart during the Civil War with Parliament . His youngest son, Charles Needham, 4th Viscount Kilmory (d. 1660 ), who succeeded his older brother Robert in 1657 , also fought on the side of the royalists in the Civil War . His descendant, the aforementioned Richard Needham, 12th Viscount Kilmory, received the title of Earl Kilmory in 1822 .

Earl Kilmory's family residence - Morne Park in the vicinity of Kilkil in Down County . It still belongs to the descendants of the 4th Earl of Kilmory.