That uncle died on 12 November 1635[10] and was succeeded by his cousin Ulick as the 5th Earl and 1st Marquess.

Ulick was neutral during the Irish Confederate Wars and fought the Parliamentarians during the Cromwellian Conquest of Ireland.

[11] He died in July 1657 and was succeeded by William's brother Richard as the 6th Earl of Clanricarde.

[12] Burke married secondly to Helen, widow of Sir John FitzGerald of Dromana and daughter of Donough MacCarty, 1st Earl of Clancarty.

[13][14] The date of this marriage is constrained by the death of her first husband in 1662 or 1664 and the birth of their eldest son in about 1670.