Richard Blake (17th century)

Sir Richard Blake was an Irish politician and Mayor of Galway, fl. 1627–1648.

Biography

Blake was the son of Richard Blake of Ardfry, near Oranmore, County Galway.

Sir Richard was Mayor of Galway for the term 1627-28 and from 1639 to 1649 elected to sit for County [Galway (Parliament of Ireland constituency)|County Galway] in the Irish [House of Commons|Parliament of Ireland]. In 1648 he was elected Speaker or Chairman, of the assembly of the Irish Confederation at Kilkenny.
He supported the James [Butler, 1st Duke of Ormonde|Ormonde] peace treaties. Both he and his cousin, Sir [Valentine Blake, 3rd Baronet], were captured by the soldiers of Owen Roe O'Neill in June, 1648 but were released unharmed.
His descendants included Baron Wallscourt and Michael Blake.