The Kingdom and Earldom of Desmond
Written by Ben Kesp
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;
The family were also titled as “Princes of Desmond”, a powerful dynasty that reigned for over five hundred years, until the dissolution of the kingdom in 1596.
Earldom of Desmond
The Fitzgerald’s, an Irish noble and aristocratic family were known as the “Geraldines” and became Ireland’s largest landowners, resulting in one of the most prominent dynasties in Ireland. The family were descended from Anglo-Norman, Gerald of Windsor and Nesta. Maurice Fitzgerald, second son (Fitz (son of) or fils in French) of Gerald of Windsor, and the first to bear the name, arrived in Ireland, in 1169. Maurice founded the Irish dynasty of the Geraldines, who were descended from the noble family of the Gherardini of Florence.
This was a title in the peerage of Ireland and was created four times.
First Creation – 1329.
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| 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, became one of the principal seats of family.
- MacCarthy of Duhallow. Principal seat for the Lords of Duhallow was at Kanturk.
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| Blarney Castle - Cork |
Earldom of Desmond
The Fitzgerald’s, an Irish noble and aristocratic family were known as the “Geraldines” and became Ireland’s largest landowners, resulting in one of the most prominent dynasties in Ireland. The family were descended from Anglo-Norman, Gerald of Windsor and Nesta. Maurice Fitzgerald, second son (Fitz (son of) or fils in French) of Gerald of Windsor, and the first to bear the name, arrived in Ireland, in 1169. Maurice founded the Irish dynasty of the Geraldines, who were descended from the noble family of the Gherardini of Florence.
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| Desmond Castle - Askeaton, Limerick |
The Barons of Desmond
- John Fitzthomas Fitzgerald became the 1st Baron Desmond. Died 1261.
- Maurice Fitzthomas Fitzgerald, 4th Baron Desmond. Created 1st Earl of Desmond in 1329. Died 1356.
This was a title in the peerage of Ireland and was created four times.
First Creation – 1329.
- Maurice Fitzgerald became the 1st Earl of Desmond. Died 1356.
- Gerald Fitzgerald, 14th Earl of Desmond (1533- 1583). Forfeit 1582.
- James Fitzgerald, 1st Earl of Desmond (1571 – 1601).
- Richard Preston, 1st Earl of Desmond. Died 1628). Descendent of James Fitzgerald, 10th Earl of Desmond. Extinct. End of the Irish line.
- George Feilding, 1st Earl of Desmond. An English aristocrat, son of William Feilding, 1st Earl of Denbigh and Susan Villiers, sister to George Villiers, 1st Duke of Buckingham. George Feilding was awarded the title of Earl of Desmond in the Peerage of Ireland by King Charles I. Continues through Earls of Denbigh and Desmond.
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| Desmond Castle, Kinsale. Source: Heritage Ireland |
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