Francis Bernard was a cricket-loving Irish peer and politician who, through a friendship with JTD Llewelyn and other prominent members of the South Wales Cricket Club, played in two of their games in Cheltenham during 1864 at the age of 54.
Born in Westminster and educated at Oriel College, Oxford, Viscount Bernard appeared in the Club’s matches against a combined Cheltenham CC and Gloucester CC team, as well as Cheltenham College. He scored a single in each match, besides claiming a couple of wickets in the match against the schoolboys.
His appearances for the Club followed a distinguished political career with Francis acting as MP for Bandon, initially in 1831 and subsequently from 1842 until 1856, He also played for Cork County in 1866 and 1867, besides playing for the MCC and I Zingari.
BERNARD, Francis (later Viscount Bernard).
Born – Westminster, 3 January 1810.
Died – Castle Bernard, County Cork, 17 February 1877.