In 1781 he was created Viscount Erne, of Crom Castle  in the County of Fermanagh, and in 1789 he was further honoured when he was made Earl Erne, of Crom Castle in the County of Fermanagh. He sat from 1800 to 1828 as one of the 28 original Irish Representative peers in the British House of Lords.
In 1781, Viscount Erne was created for Crom Castle in County Fermanagh; in 1789, Earl Erne was bestowed upon him. He sat from 1800 to 1828 as one of the 28 original Irish Representative peers in the British House of Lords.