General Ulysses de Burgh, 2nd Baron Downes (15 August 1788 – 26 July 1864), was an Irish soldier and Tory politician.

His grandfather Thomas Burgh was one of the foremost Irish architects of his time, who designed many notable buildings, including Trinity College Library[1] and Dr Steevens' Hospital.

He was gazetted ensign in the 54th Regiment of Foot on 31 March 1804, and was promoted lieutenant on 12 November 1804, and captain on 4 September 1806.

He was employed in ordinary garrison duty with his regiment at Gibraltar and in the West Indies till 1808, when he exchanged into the 92nd and accompanied Sir John Cradock to Portugal as aide-de-camp.

[2] When Sir Arthur Wellesley succeeded Cradock, he in his turn took Burgh, whose father was a close friend, as an aide-de-camp.

He brought home the despatch announcing the victory at the battle of Busaco on 29 September 1810, was promoted major for the news, and was back again in Portugal by January 1811.

[2] At the end of the war in 1814 Burgh was made KCB and KTS, and received a company in the Grenadier guards.