Hugh de Lacy, 1st Earl of Ulster

Hugh de Lacy, 1st Earl of Ulster (c. 1176 – after December 26, 1242) was an Anglo-Norman soldier and peer.

He was a leading figure in the Norman invasion of Ireland in the 12th century, and was created Earl of Ulster in 1205 by King John of England.

[6] When Carlow Castle was excavated in 1996, a series of post-holes was found to lie under the walls of the towered keep, indicating that they pre-dated the keep.

He continued the conquest of the north-eastern over-kingdom of Ulaid, building on de Courcy's success, with the earldom spanning across the modern counties of Antrim and Down and parts of Londonderry.

In 1207 war broke out between the earl of Ulster and Meiler Fitzhenry, the chief justice.

In 1226 his lands in Ulster were handed over to his brother Walter, but were restored to him in the following year, after which date he appears to have loyally served the king, being more than once summoned to England to give advice about Irish affairs.

Coat of arms of Hugh de Lacy, Or, a lion rampant purpure [ 1 ]
Arms of Hugh de Lacy, 1st Earl of Ulster, as recorded by Matthew Paris : Vert, a bordure or [ 2 ]