James Bernard, 4th Earl of Bandon

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James Francis Bernard, 4th Earl of Bandon KP (1850–1924) was a British Deputy Lieutenant in Ireland and cousin of the Earl of Middleton who was head of the southern Irish Unionists at the time of the Anglo-Irish War (19191921). Bandon Castle was one of the last mansions burned during the war by the Irish as a counter-reprisal measure against British policy to burn Irish homes in districts in which the British had declared martial law. Tom Barry, the leader of the local IRA claimed they burned two "big houses" for every one Irish peasant's cottage destroyed.

Bandon was also kidnapped by the local IRA and held hostage for six weeks. The IRA threated to have him executed if the British went ahead with executing IRA prisoners of war. During his captivity, Bandon coolly played cards with his captors, who treated him well. He was later released. Barry later stated he believed the kidnapping helped move the British towards the Anglo-Irish Treaty of 1921 and the cessation of hostilities.

Preceded by
Francis Bernard, 3rd Earl of Bandon
Earl of Bandon
1877–1924
Succeeded by
Percy Bernard
Lord Lieutenant of Cork
1877–1922
Succeeded by
office abolished
Preceded by
Lord Dunboyne
representative peer for Ireland
1881–1924
Succeeded by
office lapsed

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