Earl of Desmond is a title in the peerage of Ireland which has been created four times since 1329. The title was first awarded to Maurice FitzGerald, 4th Baron Desmond, a Hiberno-Norman lord in Southwest Ireland, and it was held by his descendants until 1583 when they rose against the English crown in the Desmond Rebellions. Following two short-lived recreations of the title in the early 1600s, the title has been held since 1628 by the Feilding family of Warwickshire, England. The current holder is Alexander Feilding, 12th Earl of Denbigh and 11th Earl of Desmond.
George Feilding, 1st Earl of Desmond was an English nobleman, awarded the title of Earl of Desmond in the Peerage of Ireland by Charles I under the terms of a letter patent issued by James I. He was created Registrar of the Court of Admiralty, for life, in 1625.
Lucas Dillon, 6th Viscount Dillon was an Irish peer who recovered title and lands after the restoration of King Charles II.
James Barry, 1st Baron Barry of Santry PC (Ire) (1603–1673) was an Irish lawyer, judge and peer.
Sir William Ryves (1570–1647) was a barrister and judge, and a member of a distinguished Dorsetshire family. He enjoyed a successful legal career in Ireland, holding office as Attorney-General for Ireland and as a justice of the Court of King's Bench (Ireland). For a time he acted as Deputy to the Lord Chancellor of Ireland.
There have been two baronetcies created for persons with the surname Tynte, one in the Baronetage of England and one in the Baronetage of Ireland. Both are extinct.
Sir Edward Bolton (1592–1659) was an English-born judge who served for many years as Solicitor General for Ireland before succeeding his father Sir Richard Bolton as Chief Baron of the Irish Exchequer.
Sir Gerard Lowther (1589–1660), sometimes referred to as Gerald Lowther, was a member of the well-known Lowther family of Westmoreland. He had a distinguished judicial career in Ireland, becoming Chief Justice of the Irish Common Pleas, although his enemies claimed his success was due to a complete lack of moral principles.
Sir Robert Booth (1626–1681) was an English-born judge who had a highly successful career in Ireland, where he held the offices of Chief Justice of the Irish Common Pleas and Lord Chief Justice of the King's Bench in Ireland.
Sir Richard Osbaldeston was an English barrister who became Attorney General for Ireland. He was the great-grandfather of Richard Osbaldeston, Bishop of London.
Thomas Dongan (c.1590–1663) was an Irish judge of the seventeenth century. His career was dogged by accusations of recusancy and of disloyalty to the English Crown. He is chiefly remembered as the father of Margaret Dongan, wife of the Dutch scholar Arnold Boate, who commemorated her lovingly in his book The Character of a Truly Virtuous and Pious Woman, and also wrote with affection and respect about her father.
Sir John Blennerhassett was an English-born judge and politician who became Chief Baron of the Irish Exchequer and sat in the Irish House of Commons as MP for Belfast. He was a member of a prominent Norfolk family which acquired large estates in Ireland, mainly in County Fermanagh. The Blennerhassett family have an enduring connection with County Kerry.
Robert Cusack (c.1516–1570) was an Irish judge of the sixteenth century, who held office as a Baron of the Court of Exchequer (Ireland). He was strongly recommended for the position of Chief Baron of the Irish Exchequer, but was passed over for the office, though with a promise of future preferment. His career was cut short by his premature death.
Sir Henry TichbornePC (Ire) (1581–1667) was an English soldier and politician. He excelled at the Siege of Drogheda during the Irish Rebellion of 1641. He governed Ireland as one of the two Lord Justices from 1642 to 1644. In 1647, he fought under Michael Jones against the Irish Catholic Confederates in the Battle of Dungan's Hill. He was given the Beaulieu Manor by Cromwell and its possession was confirmed to him at the Restoration.
Sir William Aston (1613-1671) was an English-born barrister, politician and soldier, who fought with distinction in Ireland for King Charles I during the English Civil War. Although he made his peace with the Cromwellian regime after the King's defeat, he is believed to have remained a convinced Royalist at heart. He was rewarded for his loyalty to the Crown with a seat on the Irish High Court Bench after the Restoration. His eldest son was hanged for murder in 1686. His last direct male descendant, also named William Aston, was the de jure 6th Lord Aston of Forfar.
Sir John Lyndon was an Irish judge and politician of the seventeenth century. He was the first holder of the office of Third Serjeant-at-law, which was created especially for him, apparently as a "consolation prize" for not being made a High Court judge the first time he sought that office. He was also Recorder of Carrickfergus for many years, a position held by several members of the Lyndon family over the best part of a century.
John Smyth was an Irish sculptor.
The Ashes near Endon in Staffordshire is a building of historical significance and is Grade II* listed on the English Heritage Register. It was built in the 17th century probably by Sir John Bellot and was the home of many notable residents for the next three centuries. Today the barns of the property are venues for weddings and other special events.
John Parnell (1680–1727) was an Irish politician and judge. He was the brother of the poet Thomas Parnell and ancestor of Charles Stewart Parnell. He was considered to be one of the less gifted members of a remarkable family.
Sir Charles Feilding was an Anglo-Irish politician.
