Bryan Townsend was an Irish politician and sailor.

He was the second son of Richard Townsend and his wife Mary Hyde. Towsend served in the Royal Navy

Royal Navy

The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...

 and commanded HMS Swiftsure

HMS Swiftsure (1673)

HMS Swiftsure was a 70-gun third-rate ship of the line of the Royal Navy, built by Sir Anthony Deane at Harwich, and launched in 1673. By 1685 she had been reduced to a 66-gun ship.In 1692 she saw action at the Battles of Barfleur and La Hogue....

. He entered the Irish House of Commons

Irish House of Commons

The Irish House of Commons was the lower house of the Parliament of Ireland, that existed from 1297 until 1800. The upper house was the House of Lords...

 in 1695, representing Clonakilty

Clonakilty (Parliament of Ireland constituency)

Clonakilty was a constituency in County Cork represented in the Irish House of Commons to 1800.-History:Established by a charter of King James I of England granting it to Sir Richard Boyle, it was purchased from Lord Burlington by Speaker Boyle in 1738 and he nominated the provost from three...

 until 1699.

In 1681, he married Mary Synge, daughter of Edward Synge

Edward Synge

Edward Synge of Shropshire origins was appointed at the Restoration bishop of Limerick, Ardfert and Aghadoe and was subsequently translated becoming bishop of Cork, Cloyne and Ross...

, Bishop of Ross, and by her he had four daughters and nine sons. His grandsons were Richard Townsend

Richard Townsend (politician)

Richard Townsend was an Irish politician.He was the oldest son of Richard Townsend, son of Bryan Townsend, and his second wife Elizabeth Beecher, daughter of Henry Beecher and granddaughter of Thomas Beecher. His younger brother was John Townsend. Townsend served as colonel of the Cork Militia and...

 and John Townsend

John Townsend (Irish politician)

John Townsend was an Irish politician.He was the third son of Richard Townsend, son of Bryan Townsend, and his second wife Elizabeth Beecher, daughter of Henry Beecher and granddaughter of Thomas Beecher...

.