Tyrconnel, RICHARD TALBOT, EARL OF, was born in Ireland about 1625, but early crossed to London, and soon gained the favour of the royal family by a readiness for such dirty work as the plot to blacken the reputation of Anne Hyde.
James II. on his accession at once created this scoundrel Earl of Tyrconnel, with command of the troops in Ireland, and in 1687 appointed him Lord-deputy of Ireland. He strove hard to undo the Protestant ascendancy, but the Revolution quickly brought his schemes to nought. With characteristic treachery he tried to intrigue with William, but it was not by wretches of his stamp that the liberties of Englishmen were to be built up. On the discredited king's arrival in Ireland in 1689, the Earl was created Duke of Tyrconnel. After the fatal battle of the Boyne Tyrconnel retired to France, returned in 1691, but died at Limerick in August of the same year. His name occurs in the doggerel ballad of Lilliburlero, which 'whistled a deluded prince out of three kingdoms.'