He was an Irish MP, representing Gowran between 1776 and 1783, and Kilkenny City between 1783 and 1792. In 1791, his right to the peerage was acknowledged in the Irish House of Lords and he became the 17th Earl of Ormond.
As an Irish politician, he served Gowran from 1776 to 1783 and Kilkenny City from 1783 to 1792. In 1791, his status as a noble was validated in the Irish House of Lords, leading to him being elevated to the 17th Earl of Ormond.