Richard Townsend (c. 1731 – 12 December 1783) 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 and was appointed High Sheriff of County Cork in 1753. He entered the Irish House of Commons for Cork County in 1759 and represented the constituency until his death in 1783. In 1776, he was also elected for Dingle, however chose not to sit.