Sir John Burke
Mr Isaac Weld
John Burke (1782-1847), 2nd baronet, Marblehill, Loughrea, County Galway, was a catholic landowner whose family had managed to retain their estates in the eighteenth century by collusion with protestant neighbours. The Burke’s of Marblehill set up a successful contract haulier business in the 1760s, and were owners of over 27,000 acres in counties Galway and Roscommon in 1876. Burke was active in the catholic association of the 1820s, and was elected M.P. Galway 1830-2. In the 1832 general election, which he contested as a liberal candidate, he was defeated by the conservative James Daly. His interest in liberal politics continued, and he was a member of the reform registry association in 1836. In 1834 he was elected a life member of the R.D.S., his proposers being Lord Downshire and Isaac Weld. Within the R.D.S. he appears to have supported the movement towards a greater involvement in agricultural development in the 1830s and 1840s. In 1843 he was the proposer of Captain Denis Mahon (q.v.), Strokestown, for membership.
Source Citation: Letter to the Royal Dublin Society by Mr Isaac Weld in regards to Sir John Burke
Date Joined Royal Dublin Society: 1834
