Richard Burke, 2nd Earl of Clanricarde

Richard Sassanach Burke, 2nd Earl of Clanricarde (English: /klænˈrɪkɑːrd/ klan-RIK-ard; died 24 July 1582), styled Lord Dunkellin (/dʌnˈkɛlɪn/ dun-KEL-in) until 1544, was an Irish noble who succeeded his father Ulick na gCeann Burke, 1st Earl of Clanricarde as chief of a Gaelicised Norman family with authority over much of what is now County Galway.

Richard's mother, Grace O'Carroll, was one of several putative wives of Ulick na gCeann, such that there were rival candidates to succeed to the Earldom.

Richard extended his influence at the expense of the Ó Ceallaigh and the O'Maddens in the east of County Galway, gaining overlordship over the O'Shaughnessy in the south, while allying himself with the O'Conor Don and the O'Briens of Thomond.

Major engagements included: At the time of his death Burke had endured imprisonment in Dublin, and repeated treachery by his sons.

They had agreed among themselves, stimulated by extraordinary vigour and bravery, to leave those districts, and to proceed through Connaught, to render their names famous.

He was the better of attacking them there, for he routed this foreign band of fiercely rapacious warriors, who did not consider their distance from their native country and their kindred, for they suffered their enemies to slaughter them on the spot.