William was a
Member of Parliament in the
Irish House of Commons, and supported the
Whigs. He represented
County Galway from 1768 until 1797 and served as
High Sheriff of County Kilkenny in 1777. He was advanced to the
Irish House of Lords as
Baron Kilconnel (created 25November 1797), and to the position of
Viscount Dunlo (created 3January 1801) as a reward for his continuing support of the Whig Party. On 12February 1803 he became
Earl of Clancarty. His choice of the title is derived from his descent from Elena MacCarty, wife of John Power, daughter of Cormac Oge MacCarty, Viscount Muskerry, and sister of
Donough MacCarty, 1st Earl of Clancarty. He therefore became the first Earl of Clancarty in its second creation. ==Personal life==