Our common ancestors - Fitzgerald - Contents

The Earls of Desmond

• Sources yet to be consulted:
  • The Earldom of Desmond, 1463–1583: The Decline and Crisis of a Feudal Lordship, by Anthony M. McCormack, Dublin, 2005.

Maurice Fitzgerald, 1st Earl of Desmond (see here),
cr 1329, Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland 1355,
died 1355, bur Dominican Friary, Tralee,
had issue:

Gerald Fitzgerald, 3rd Earl of Desmond,
succ 1357, Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland 1367-9,
mar Eleanor Butler [descendant of Edward I and of Aoife Mac Murrough]
and had issue:

James Fitzgerald, 7th Earl of Desmond, had issue:

1. Thomas Fitzgerald, 8th Earl of Desmond, founded a college at Youghal, Co.Cork, 1464, had issue:
   1. Thomas Fitzgerald, 12th Earl of Desmond,
      mar 1529 to Catherine Fitzgerald of Dromana, W Co.Waterford
      [try Fitzgerald addition to VILLIERS in Burkes Extinct],
      died 1534,
      Catherine lived to see the fall of the Desmonds,
      said to have died 1604, age c.100 yrs (reputed age 140 yrs).

   2. John Fitzgerald, 13th Earl of Desmond, had issue:
      1. James Fitzgerald, 14th Earl of Desmond,
         he was granted the lands of St.Mary's Abbey, N side of Dublin, after dissolution of Irish monasteries 1537 [this site would become the site of the great 18th cent. N side housing developments],
         had issue:
         1. Gerald Fitzgerald, 15th Earl of Desmond, see here, the rebel, born c.1533,
            led Desmond revolt 1579,
            he burnt his stronghold of Tralee to prevent its capture by the advancing English, 1580 [NOT 1579],
            killed 1583 [NOT 1581],
            the rebels surrendered 1583,
            and the vast estates of the Earls of Desmond were forfeit to the crown.
            The Munster Plantation was implemented.
            Tralee granted to Denny of Hertfordshire.
            Ballycarty, Co.Kerry granted to Blennerhassett of Cumberland.
            Killorglin granted to Conway of Pembrokeshire.

2. Joan Fitzgerald, mar Thomas Fitzgerald, 7th Earl of Kildare and had issue.

3. Gerald Fitzgerald, Lord of Decies.

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• Earl of Desmond

• Places:
  • The Desmond Banqueting Hall, Newcastlewest, Co.Limerick.
  • Desmond Castle (French Prison), Cork St, Kinsale, Co.Cork.