Earldom of Desmond

The Earldom of Desmond, or Earl of Desmond, is a noble title in the peerage of Ireland, meaning "Earl of South Munster." First created in 1329 for Maurice FitzGerald, 4th Baron Desmond, a Hiberno-Norman lord in Southwest Ireland, the title was held by his descendants until 1583. This earldom historically encompassed County Limerick and significant parts of Counties Cork, Kerry, and Waterford. After two brief recreations in the early 1600s, the title has been held by the Feilding family of Warwickshire, England, since 1628. The current holder is Alexander Feilding, 12th Earl of Denbigh and 11th Earl of Desmond.