In gratitude, Hugh's father became patron to Scott, the future Earl of Clonmell, and sent both the boys off to Trinity College Dublin and Middle Temple with equal allowances.

[1] Given his father's political influence Carleton was assured of a seat in the Irish House of Commons: he was elected member for Tuam in 1772, for Philipstown in 1776 and for Naas in 1783.

Lord Carleton was highly regarded as a judge, but his notorious hypochondria made him a subject of some ridicule since like many hypochondriacs he in fact enjoyed excellent health.

His decision to retire on the ground of ill health at 60 was greeted with derision, which was fully justified since he survived for another quarter century.

[2] His former schoolfriend John Scott, Lord Clonmell, whose diary is full of savage attacks on his colleagues, describes Carleton as "a worthless wretch, though I am his maker"; but no one else seems to have shared this view.

[7] His manner in Court was notably gloomy: John Philpot Curran joked that in every case he heard, Carleton was plaintiff (plaintive).

The rumour was almost certainly false since the eyewitnesses to the murder agreed that Kilwarden was killed only after giving his name and office, and was in great fear of his life during the Rebellion.