The Desmond Rebellions occurred between 1569-1573 and 1579-1583 organized by the Earls of Desmond against Elizabeth I of attempts to impose control over the province of Munster. James Fitzmaurice Fitzgerald launched the First Desmond Rebellion in 1569, attacking the siege of Cork and Kilkenny. Henry Sidney, Lord Deputy of Ireland, and troops began Fitzmaurice devastating mobilized lands of the allies. This had a terrible effect on Fitzmaurice, breaking their individual strengths as the gentlemen had to return to defend their land.

Fitzmaurice fled to the mountains of Kerry where they conducted a guerrilla campaign against English forces. However, in 1573 his forces had been completely decimated to less than one hundred remained by his side, presented the negotiation of a pardon for his life. Arguably, the real winner of the rebellion was the Earl of Ormonde, who established himself as loyal to the English crown and became the most powerful lord of the south of Ireland. Following rebellion; customs Gaelic, Gaelic dress, Brehon laws and maintenance of private armies were again outlawed. In addition to the English settlers continues reaching the province threatens the existence of Irish landowners. So when Fitzmaurice returned from continental Europe in order to mount another insurrection, had marginalized a lot of candidates willing to join their ranks, paving the way for the Second Desmond Rebellion.

James Fitzmaurice Fitzgerald had spent his exile on the continent to re-invent himself as a crusader for the Counter. Becasie argued that Queen Elizabeth I had been ex-communicated by Pope Pius V in 1570, the Irish Catholics no longer owed their allegiance to the English Crown. Pope troops and supplies to give Fitzmaurice for his planned invasion of the province of Munster. He landed in Smerwick, near Dingle, Co. Kerry on 18 July 1579 a small force of Spanish and Italian troops. He was joined by a number of Gaelic clans and ancient English families, however was killed in a minor skirmish and John Fitzgerald of Desmond took over the leadership of the rebellion. Gerald, the Earl of Desmond joined the rebellion and looting success both Youghal and Kinsale.

Not until the middle of 1580, it seemed that the English forces had succeeded in crushing the uprising, but in July was triggered in the province of Leinster, under the direction of the chief Fiach MacHugh O'Byrne Gaelic and Old English Lord, Viscount Baltinglass. They destroyed a large English force at the Battle of Glenmalure. However, the strategy, the rebel forces in Munster and Leinster could not develop a coordinated action to capitalize on these developments soon. In September 1580, six hundred troops of the Pope landed in Smerwick for supporting the rebels, however, little impact, becoming besieged within the limits of strong Dun a hearing soon surrendered and were massacred. The English forces broke the back of the insurgency with a comprehensive and relentless scorched earth. Fitzmaurice, as he did during the First Desmond Rebellion, the rest of Geraldines sought refuge in the mountains of Co. Kerry. The rebellion ended with the death of Gerald, the Earl of Desmond, near Tralee, Co. Kerry O'Moriarty the local clan. After the devastating scorched earth policy, a prolonged famine wrapped the province is estimated that by 1589, one third of the population of the province, had died.

Russell Shortt is a travel consultant with Exploring Ireland, the leading specialists in customised, private escorted tours, escorted coach tours and independent self drive tours of Ireland. Article source: http://www.exploringireland.net

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