Richard Boyle, 2nd Earl of Shannon

Richard Boyle, 2nd Earl of Shannon KP, PC (Ire) (30 January 1727 – 20 May 1807), was an Irish peer and Member of Parliament. He represented Dungarvan and County Cork, and succeeded his father as Earl of Shannon.

Family He was the elder surviving son of Henry Boyle, 1st Earl of Shannon, and his second wife, Lady Henrietta Boyle (1700–1746).

Career Boyle was educated at Trinity College Dublin. In 1749, he entered the Irish House of Commons, representing Dungarvan until 1761. He was then elected for Clonakilty as well as County Cork and sat for the latter constituency until 1764 when he succeeded his father in the titles. and Patrick Gillan, Richard "did not possess the political talent which had enabled his father to dominate the Irish House of Commons for so long."

He served in the Privy Council of Ireland from 1763 to 1770. In 1766, Shannon was commissioned Master-General of the Ordnance of the Kingdom of Ireland. He resigned his post in 1770. In 1774, Shannon was again appointed Privy Councilor, serving to 1789. The same year he was appointed Muster-Master-General of the royal military forces in the Kingdom of Ireland. He maintained his position to 1781. That year he became Joint Vice-Treasurer of Ireland, an office held in commission with other politicians to 1789. The administration of William Pitt the Younger, Prime Minister of Great Britain, outlined formal plans for installing a Regency. However, their authority to do so was questionable. Shannon "broke with the administration" during the Crisis.

Marriage and children On 15 December 1763, Richard married Catherine Ponsonby. Lady Elizabeth was a daughter of William Cavendish, 3rd Duke of Devonshire, and his wife Catherine Hoskins. Her maternal grandparents were John Hoskins and Catherine Hale.

Richard and Catherine had two children:

Catherine Henrietta Boyle (12 January 1768 – 8 July 1815). Married Francis Bernard, 1st Earl of Bandon. Henry Boyle, 3rd Earl of Shannon (8 August 1771 – 22 April 1842).