A 700-year-old Irish hereditary title has ended with the death of the last Knight of Glin, reports the Irish Independent.
The 29th Knight of Glin, Desmond FitzGerald, died from cancer last Wednesday night in Co Limerick at the age of 74. He had no son to inherit his title.
The ancient Irish noble title was handed down by chieftains and has been recognized by successive Irish governments.
Glin in west Limerick has been home to the FitzGerald family since the 1300s. Mr FitzGerald was forced to close Glin Castle in 2009 due to ill health. The castle had operated as a hotel in recent years.
Mr FitzGerald, who inherited the title in 1949 when he was just 12-years-old, said he was not troubled about the title dying with him.
"The Knight of Glin is a romantic title, it's not much use except for the romance of the story," he said.
Mr FitzGerald was educated at Trinity College and Harvard University and was regarded as a leading figure in Irish architecture and represented art auctioneers Christies in Ireland. He is survived by his wife Olda and his three daughters Catherine, Nesta and Honor. Catherine is married to Dominic West, who stars on the television show 'The Wire.'
Dr Terence Dooley, Director of the Centre for the Study of Historic Irish Houses and Estates, said the title of the Knight of Glin was "certainly one of the oldest in the country."
"I cannot think of one that survived for more than 29 generations. His ancestors arrived here with the first wave of the Anglo-Normans in 1169. He was the quintessential scholar and was extremely generous with his knowledge," added Dooley.
The Knight of Kerry -- also known as the Green Knight -- is now the last hereditary knight in Ireland.
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Switch to the desktop site to post a comment.Paddyirishrove | Sep 27, 2011, 10:15 AM EDT
Before England usurped Irish ways and laws, Ireland was governed by Brehon law. Titles were not granted through hereditary but were voted upon by their peers...it took the English to perfect inbreeding amongst their nobility...
inseattle | Sep 20, 2011, 08:53 AM EDT
I'm from the US. I'd like to buy a title. Oh and I'd like to buy a vowel too :)
JohnJoe4444 | Sep 20, 2011, 06:33 AM EDT
Get over it! You can't blame this man for what somebody did 700 years ago. A human being has passed away and has left a grieving family. Hop off your pedestals guys! It will happen to all of us some day. Have the grace to observe the Irish practice of not speaking ill of the dead.
firinne | Sep 20, 2011, 05:42 AM EDT
English titles have no place in Ireland. Irish and other Celts throughout Europe had our own system of rulers and royalty which predated the English by a few millennia, the sooner all vestiges of English involvement in the lives of all the Irish, the better. Beidh ár lá linn. Slan
vincentruane | Sep 19, 2011, 08:50 PM EDT
May Desmond Fitzgerald,the 29th Knight of Glin rest in peace. Hopefully his steps into the unknown doors of eternity are a joyous one.
DaithiSuibhne | Sep 19, 2011, 08:47 PM EDT
Alas fair knight 'Bugger Off'. From the posts I've read it would seem that this 'Knight' was the most benevolent of men, as I'm not sure myself, I would suppose he came from a long line of scoundrels who usurped the best 'Irish' lands they could could find and either killed the inhabitants or charged them rent to live out their lives in poverty.MotherIrish-Were talking 'English Royalty' here, not Irish. Don't you remember the'Flight of the Earls' they were run off to the continent in 1603 if I recall correctly thats why we've only these 'English Earls' left.SeamusMor-The less English knights the better.luxefaire-I would like to concur.
DaithiSuibhne | Sep 19, 2011, 07:47 PM EDT
It seems to me that the next male relative in line should be able to inherit the title...isn't there a nephew or some such?
EphraimKibbey | Sep 19, 2011, 04:39 PM EDT
The best of all possible worlds?
EphraimKibbey | Sep 19, 2011, 04:37 PM EDT
It is the same with some Norman granted Scottish titles - They must pass to the closest male relation - no girls allowed. With the Sinclairs this led to some pretty interesting intraclan arguments. If they start selling Irish titles, I call dibs on High King and all vassals, lands and tax revenue due to that title. Oh, wait, then, according to the feudal system, I would have to support all of my vassals out of my income. Maybe it is not always good to be the king. Does the Queen of England support all of those who swear feality to her? Whatever happened to those good old feudal rules? Oh yea, we had the renaissance, the enlightment, revolutions seeking independence and human rights, wars to end all wars and here we are in the modern world.
CitizenWhy | Sep 19, 2011, 02:06 PM EDT
Well now the castle can be bought by a hotel operator, modernized, and there could be a job of hoist/honorary Knight of Glin. ... When is Ireland going to wake up, fetch a king, create titles and sell them for income to rich Americans, Russians, Chinese, etc.? Then add a fee/tax for passing on the title to an heir. With this selling scheme Ireland could get some benefit from all the royalty/nobility scam perpetuated on it over the centuries.
joan1954 | Sep 19, 2011, 12:40 PM EDT
To Shiobhan39 right on.
luxefaire | Sep 19, 2011, 12:38 PM EDT
good riddance, may all royalty go the way of the knight of glin...royalty is spectacle and pageantry, when we need sustenance and intellect, it is inbreeding and privilege when we need hybrid vigor and equality. it is death. good riddance.
MotherIrish | Sep 19, 2011, 11:52 AM EDT
Shame to let history like this just fade into the background
Siobhan39 | Sep 19, 2011, 11:05 AM EDT
England has a Queen. Can't Ireland give the title to the oldest daughter . . . a Duchess? Come on, Irish, lighten up. Can't a woman inherit the title!!!
eileenkny | Sep 19, 2011, 11:01 AM EDT
They can't find a male relative anywhere? How hard have they looked?
ellenfromcork | Sep 19, 2011, 10:17 AM EDT
And thus the old order passeth.