Above: The English Viceroy

The Lord Deputy was somewhat uncertain what course the Earl of Desmond would adopt. In order to encourage him to persevere in loyalty, he sent to him two English officials named Davells and Carter. These men were resting for the night at an inn near Tralee, when the younger brothers of Desmond, John and James Fitzgerald, forced their way into the house and slew them in cold blood. After this they betook themselves with their followers to their cousin, James Fitzmaurice, who expressed great indignation at the atrocious and perfectly useless crime which they had committed.

Above: Map of Connacht

The parts of Ireland affected by the wars of Shane O’Neill had been Ulster, some parts of Connacht, and north Leinster ; now the southern province, which had been flourishing in comparative peace, was to take its turn in misfortune. Of the southern nobility the Earl of Desmond was by far the most powerful. The territory over which his sway or influence extended stretched from Duncaoin (Dunquin W. of Ventry) in Kerry to ” the Meeting of the Three Waters ” where the Suir, Nore and Barrow meet in Waterford ; and from the great island of Ard Nemidh (Queenstown) to Limerick ; and it comprised some of the richest land in Ireland. The Desmonds, like the Kildares, descended from Maurice Fitzgerald, who had come to Ireland in Henry’s day.