Desmond FitzGerald

Fitzgerald, Gerald, 14th earl of Desmond [I] (c.1533-83). Fitzgerald succeeded his father in the earldom in 1558, in his mid-twenties. In 1565 he was wounded in private warfare with Ormond and sent to the Tower 1567-70. From 1574 he was in conspiracy against Elizabeth and from 1579 in open rebellion under papal encouragement. He was killed in 1583 and his head stuck on London bridge.

Fitzgerald, Desmond (?1888-1947), revolutionary and playwright; born in London, he was a poet in his early man-hood, before joining the IRB (see IRA) in Co. Kerry. He fought in the GPO during the Easter Rising for which he was imprisoned. On his release in 1918 he rejoined the struggle for independence in the Anglo-Irish war, and supported the Treaty side in 1922. He served in politics until 1943. A play The Saints (1919) was produced at the Abbey Theatre, and he also wrote political philosophy. His son, Garrett Fitzgerald became Taoiseach 1981-82 and then 1982-87.

Sixteenth earl of Desmond, in Ireland, who was killed in 1583. He had some reputation as a magician and was known as "the Great Earl." Many curious stories have been told about him.

He lived in a castle on a small island in Lough Gur, and there he took his young bride, to whom he was so passionately attached that he could deny her nothing. Seeking him one day in the chamber where he worked his magic spells, she demanded to know the secret of the black cat. In vain he told her of the terrible things she must witness. She would not be dissuaded, so he warned her solemnly that if she uttered a word the castle would sink to the bottom of Lough Gur. Then he set to work with his magic spells.

Terrible indeed were the sights she beheld, but she stood firm and uttered neither word nor cry, until her husband lay down on the floor and stretched till he reached almost from end to end of the room. Then she uttered a wild shriek, and the castle sank instantly to the bottom of Lough Gur, where it still remains.

The legend says that once in every seven years Desmond, mounted on a white horse, rises from the water and rides around the Lough. His horse is shod with silver shoes, and when they wear out the spell will be broken. Desmond will return, and his vast estates will be restored to him.

Desmond FitzGerald or Fitzgerald may refer to:

• Desmond FitzGerald (politician) (1888–1947), Irish politician and Government minister
• Desmond Fitzgerald (CIA officer) (1910–1967), Central Intelligence Agency deputy director
• Desmond Fitzgerald (Knight of Glin), president of Irish Georgian Society

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