Baron Offaly
Encyclopedia
There have been two creations of the title Baron Offaly, both in the Peerage of Ireland
.
Two earlier medieval creations as Baron of Offaly existed; for an earlier FitzGerald, who owned land in County Kildare
, including what was then "Offelan", a word that derived from the Gaelic "Uí Faelain" and not from what is now County Offaly
.
In 1538-50 the title was recreated for Brian O Conor Faly, who was based in neighbouring County Offaly
The first modern creation by Queen Mary
was for Gerald FitzGerald
on 13 May 1554, who was also created Earl of Kildare at the same time and later restored to the senior earldom of Kildare (forfeit by his half-brother, Thomas
) in 1569. The title (as well as the second creation of the earldom), became extinct in 1599 when the 13th earl's branch of the family became extinct and the senior earldom passed to his cousin, Gerald
.
The second creation of the title was for Lettice Digby
on 29 July 1620. She was the daughter of Gerald FitzGerald, Lord Offally (1559–1580; the eldest son of the 11th earl, who predeceased his father) and the wife of Sir Robert Digby
. Her eldest son, Robert
, was created Baron Digby
on the same day. The patent of the barony stipulated that it was not to pass to Lord Digby, but instead to the head of the House of Kildare, who, at the time of Baroness Offaly's death in 1658, was George FitzGerald, 16th Earl of Kildare
. The 20th earl was later created Duke of Leinster
in 1766 and the dukedom and barony remain united.
for further Barons Offaly, see Duke of Leinster
Peerage of Ireland
The Peerage of Ireland is the term used for those titles of nobility created by the English and later British monarchs of Ireland in their capacity as Lord or King of Ireland. The creation of such titles came to an end in the 19th century. The ranks of the Irish peerage are Duke, Marquess, Earl,...
.
Two earlier medieval creations as Baron of Offaly existed; for an earlier FitzGerald, who owned land in County Kildare
County Kildare
County Kildare is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Mid-East Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It is named after the town of Kildare. Kildare County Council is the local authority for the county...
, including what was then "Offelan", a word that derived from the Gaelic "Uí Faelain" and not from what is now County Offaly
County Offaly
County Offaly is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Midlands Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It is named after the ancient Kingdom of Uí Failghe and was formerly known as King's County until the establishment of the Irish Free State in 1922. Offaly County Council is...
.
In 1538-50 the title was recreated for Brian O Conor Faly, who was based in neighbouring County Offaly
County Offaly
County Offaly is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Midlands Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It is named after the ancient Kingdom of Uí Failghe and was formerly known as King's County until the establishment of the Irish Free State in 1922. Offaly County Council is...
The first modern creation by Queen Mary
Mary I of England
Mary I was queen regnant of England and Ireland from July 1553 until her death.She was the only surviving child born of the ill-fated marriage of Henry VIII and his first wife Catherine of Aragon. Her younger half-brother, Edward VI, succeeded Henry in 1547...
was for Gerald FitzGerald
Gerald FitzGerald, 11th Earl of Kildare
Gerald FitzGerald, 11th Earl of Kildare , also known as the "Wizard Earl" , was an Irish peer....
on 13 May 1554, who was also created Earl of Kildare at the same time and later restored to the senior earldom of Kildare (forfeit by his half-brother, Thomas
Thomas FitzGerald, 10th Earl of Kildare
Thomas FitzGerald, 10th Earl of Kildare , also known as Silken Thomas , was a figure in Irish history.He spent a considerable part of his early life in England: his mother Elizabeth Zouche, was a cousin of Henry VII...
) in 1569. The title (as well as the second creation of the earldom), became extinct in 1599 when the 13th earl's branch of the family became extinct and the senior earldom passed to his cousin, Gerald
Gerald FitzGerald, 14th Earl of Kildare
Gerald FitzGerald, 14th Earl of Kildare was an Irish peer.-Background:Kildare was the son of Edward FitzGerald, younger son of Gerald FitzGerald, 9th Earl of Kildare...
.
The second creation of the title was for Lettice Digby
Lettice Digby, 1st Baroness Offaly
Lettice FitzGerald, 1st Baroness Offaly was an Irish noblewoman and a member of the powerful FitzGerald dynasty. Heiress-general to the Earls of Kildare on the death of her father, the title instead went to the next FitzGerald male heir when her grandfather, the 11th Earl of Kildare died in 1585...
on 29 July 1620. She was the daughter of Gerald FitzGerald, Lord Offally (1559–1580; the eldest son of the 11th earl, who predeceased his father) and the wife of Sir Robert Digby
Robert Digby, 1st Baron Digby
Robert Digby, 1st Baron Digby was an Anglo-Irish peer.Digby was the son of Sir Robert Digby of Coleshill, Warwickshire and Lettice FitzGerald, of Geashill, Ireland, granddaughter of Gerald FitzGerald, 11th Earl of Kildare. John Digby, 1st Earl of Bristol, was his uncle, and Essex Digby, Bishop of...
. Her eldest son, Robert
Robert Digby, 1st Baron Digby
Robert Digby, 1st Baron Digby was an Anglo-Irish peer.Digby was the son of Sir Robert Digby of Coleshill, Warwickshire and Lettice FitzGerald, of Geashill, Ireland, granddaughter of Gerald FitzGerald, 11th Earl of Kildare. John Digby, 1st Earl of Bristol, was his uncle, and Essex Digby, Bishop of...
, was created Baron Digby
Baron Digby
Baron Digby, of Geashill in the King's County, is a title in the Peerage of Ireland. It was created in 1620 for Robert Digby, Governor of King's County. He was the nephew of John Digby, 1st Earl of Bristol. Lord Digby's grandson, the third Baron, and the latter's younger brothers the fourth and...
on the same day. The patent of the barony stipulated that it was not to pass to Lord Digby, but instead to the head of the House of Kildare, who, at the time of Baroness Offaly's death in 1658, was George FitzGerald, 16th Earl of Kildare
George FitzGerald, 16th Earl of Kildare
George FitzGerald, 16th Earl of Kildare was known as the "Fairy Earl", apparently for no other reason than that his portrait, still extant, was painted on a small scale." He was the son of Thomas FitzGerald and Frances Randolph and grandson of Edward FitzGerald and Agnes Leigh.-Family:He...
. The 20th earl was later created Duke of Leinster
Duke of Leinster
Duke of Leinster is a title in the Peerage of Ireland and the premier dukedom in that peerage. The title refers to Leinster, but unlike the province the title is pronounced "Lin-ster"...
in 1766 and the dukedom and barony remain united.
FitzGerald Barons of Offaly
- Gerald FitzMaurice, 1st Lord of OffalyGerald FitzMaurice, 1st Lord of OffalyGerald FitzMaurice, jure uxoris 1st Lord of Offaly was a Cambro-Norman nobleman who settled in Ireland, with his father, Maurice FitzGerald, Lord of Lanstephan, founding the notable FitzGerald dynasty who were to play important roles in Irish history...
(c. 1152 – c. 1203) - Maurice FitzGerald, 2nd Lord of OffalyMaurice FitzGerald, 2nd Lord of OffalyMaurice FitzGerald, 2nd Lord of Offaly was a Norman-Irish peer, soldier, and Justiciar of Ireland from 1232 to 1245. He mustered many armies against the Irish, and due to his harsh methods as Justiciar, he received criticism from King Henry III of England...
(1190–1257) - Maurice FitzGerald, 3rd Lord of OffalyMaurice FitzGerald, 3rd Lord of OffalyMaurice FitzGerald, 3rd Lord of Offaly was a Norman-Irish peer, soldier, and Justiciar of Ireland from 1272 to 1273.-Career:...
(1238-1286)
O'Conor Faly Barons of Offaly
- Brian O'Conor Faly (1525-1556) (In Irish, Brian mac Cathaoir O Conchobhair Failghe) attainted in 1550
Barons Offaly, first creation (1554–1599)
- Gerald FitzGerald, 11th Earl of Kildare, 1st Baron OffalyGerald FitzGerald, 11th Earl of KildareGerald FitzGerald, 11th Earl of Kildare , also known as the "Wizard Earl" , was an Irish peer....
(1525–1585) - Henry FitzGerald, 12th Earl of Kildare, 2nd Baron OffalyHenry FitzGerald, 12th Earl of Kildare-Background:Kildare was the son of Gerald FitzGerald, 11th Earl of Kildare and Mabel Browne.-Military career:Nicknamed Henry "na Tuagh", or Henry "of the Battleaxes", he fought against the Spanish invaders in Ireland in 1588...
(1562–1597) - William FitzGerald, 13th Earl of Kildare, 3rd Baron Offaly (d. 1599)
Barons Offaly, second creation (1620–present)
- Lettice Digby, 1st Baroness OffalyLettice Digby, 1st Baroness OffalyLettice FitzGerald, 1st Baroness Offaly was an Irish noblewoman and a member of the powerful FitzGerald dynasty. Heiress-general to the Earls of Kildare on the death of her father, the title instead went to the next FitzGerald male heir when her grandfather, the 11th Earl of Kildare died in 1585...
(c.1578–1658) - George FitzGerald, 16th Earl of Kildare, 2nd Baron OffalyGeorge FitzGerald, 16th Earl of KildareGeorge FitzGerald, 16th Earl of Kildare was known as the "Fairy Earl", apparently for no other reason than that his portrait, still extant, was painted on a small scale." He was the son of Thomas FitzGerald and Frances Randolph and grandson of Edward FitzGerald and Agnes Leigh.-Family:He...
(1612–1660)
for further Barons Offaly, see Duke of Leinster
Duke of Leinster
Duke of Leinster is a title in the Peerage of Ireland and the premier dukedom in that peerage. The title refers to Leinster, but unlike the province the title is pronounced "Lin-ster"...