The Lord President was subject to the Lord Deputy of Ireland, but had full authority within the province, extending to civil, criminal, and church legal matters, the imposition of martial law, official appointments, and command of military forces.
The width of his powers led to frequent clashes with the longer established courts, and in 1622 the President, Donogh O'Brien, 4th Earl of Thomond, was warned sharply not to "intermeddle" with cases which were properly the business of those courts.
The position of President of Munster was created at the suggestion of Sir Henry Sidney in the late 1560s.
Filling it proved troublesome initially, since the nomination in 1566 of Warham St Leger failed to get royal approval.
[4] From the late 16th or early 17th century, Shandon Castle (just outside the Cork's north gate) became an official residence associated with the office.