Family history Lord of Offaly

Lord of Offaly – The Story of the FitzGerald's of Offaly

The Lords of Offaly belonged to the FitzGerald dynasty. Their Irish path began with Maurice FitzGerald, a follower of the Anglo-Norman ventures of the 12th century. His son Gerald FitzMaurice acquired lands in Leinster and settled at Geashill in County Offaly. Castles and estates in Geashill, Lea and Maynooth formed the foundation of a dominion at the border of different political and cultural worlds.

Maurice FitzGerald, the second Lord of Offaly, consolidated family power in the 13th century. As justice minister of Ireland, he served the king, founded religious houses, and participated in the conflicts of his era. His successors expanded their connections to Connacht and Ulster. The FitzGeralds combined English feudal structures with Irish alliances, relationships, and cultural customs.

John Fitz Thomas, the fifth Lord, led the line to particular acclaim. For his services during the invasion of Edward Bruce, King Edward II elevated him to the first Earl of Kildare in 1316. The lordship of Offaly remained closely linked to this county. In the late 15th century, Gearóid Mór, the „Great Earl“, made the house the leading political force in Ireland. Maynooth Castle became a court with a library, musicians, and lavish representation.

In 1534 Thomas FitzGerald, known as „Silken Thomas“ because of the silky frills of his knights, took the stage as Lord Offaly. His rebellion brought about a profound upheaval, but in 1554 Gerald FitzGerald was granted titles and parts of the family estates back. This marked the beginning of a new rise.

James FitzGerald became the first Duke of Leinster in 1766. Since then, Baron Offaly has been one of the subordinate titles of the ducal house. Carton House, Kilkea Castle and the ruins of Maynooth preserve the memory of a family whose history stretches from the medieval borderlands to the more recent Irish nobility.

Sources: Dictionary of Irish Biography, Heritage Ireland, Maynooth University, Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland

Family coat of arms Lord of Offaly

This Coat of arms corresponds to the historical tradition Coat of arms of the FitzGerald line from Offaly and Kildare. Blazon: In silver a red diagonal cross.

The completely silver shield bears a wide red cross of St. Andrew, whose four arms reach to the edges of the shield. Unlike Coat of arms the Desmond line, the base of the shield does not have a Hermelin pattern. Above the shield stands a dark tournament helmet with red-silvered covers.

Gerald FitzMaurice became Lord of Offaly through his marriage to Eva de Bermingham and founded the line from which the Earls of Kildare and Dukes of Leinster later emerged. The silver field with a red cross is considered the older FitzGerald coat of arms.

Sources: Dictionary of Irish Biography, Lord of Offaly. Journal of the Cork Historical and Archaeological Society, crests, mottos and slogans of the Geraldines. The Complete Peerage