The title Earl of Cork was created in 1620. The associated title, Earl of Orrery was created in 1660, for a separate branch of the family. It was, however, inherited by John Boyle, the fifth Earl.
The subsidiary titles of the Earl are: Viscount Dungarvan (created 1620), Viscount Boyle (1628), Lord Boyle, Baron of Youghal (1616), Lord Boyle, Baron of Broghill (1628), Baron Bandon Bridge (1628) and Baron Boyle of Marston (1711). All titles are in the Peerage of Ireland, except that of Baron Boyle of Marston, which is in the Peerage of Great Britain. The courtesy title of the Earl's eldest son and heir is Viscount Dungarvan.
Richard Boyle, the 1st Earl of Cork, (1566-1643) was known as the "Great Earl", was born in Canterbury and educated at Cambridge. He married an Irish heiress and bought large estates in Ireland. One of his sons was Robert Boyle, a physicist and chemist. Another was Roger Boyle, 1st Earl of Orrery, a statesman and a writer. The 2nd earl wasknown as the "Rich Boyle". Married Elizabeth Clifford, daughter of the 5th Earl of Cumberland and descendant of Edward III. His son Richard Boyle, 2nd Earl of Cork died in 1665 in the Battle of Solebay, and another son, Charles Boyle, married Jane Seymour, a descendant of Henry VII.The 3rd Earl was the grandson of the 2nd Earl. He married Juliana Noel.
The 4th Earl (also 3rd Earl of Burlington) was an architect who published Andrea Palladio's designs of Ancient Roman architecture. He was known as Lord Burlington. Chiswick House was designed by the 4th Earl and William Kent. His daughter Charlotte Boyle married William Cavendish, the 4th Duke of Devonshire. The 5th earl was a writer and a friend of Jonathan Swift, Alexander Pope and Samuel Johnson.
Earls of Cork (1620)
Earls of Cork and Orrery
