The Kingdom and Earldom of Desmond
Written by Ben Kesp Kingdom and Earldom of Desmond Kingdom of Desmond The “ Treaty of Glanmire ” in 1118, saw the partitioning of the ancient Kingdom of Munster that existed for over one thousand years and the establishment of two new kingdoms; Desmond ruled by the Mac Cárthaigh family and Thomond by the O’Brien family. Following the Norman invasion, the eastern part was conquered to become the Earldom of Desmond , ruled by the Fitzmaurice and Fitzgerald families of Hiberno-Norman descent. This left a much smaller Kingdom of Desmond, made up of present-day, Co. Cork and Co. Kerry. From its beginning in 1118, the Kingdom of Desmond, governed by the Mac Cárthaigh family, continued to exist until 1596. The Mac Carthaigh Mór dynasty were split into several branches and principalities; Mac Cárthaigh Reagh of Carbery . Principal seats of Lords/Princes of Carbery were at Kilbrittain Castle (Kinsale), Timoleague Castle (Kinsale). MacCarthy of Muskerry . Blarney Castle, Cork, bec...
