James Fitz Maurice FitzGerald Lands Forces in Dingle

James fitz Maurice FitzGerald (died 1579), called “fitz Maurice”, was captain-general of Desmond while Gerald FitzGerald, 14th Earl of Desmond, was detained in England by Queen Elizabeth I after the Battle of Affane in 1565.

He led the first Desmond Rebellion in 1569 and was sometimes called “Archtraitor” by the English.

He surrendered in 1573, prostrating himself in Kilmallock church before John Perrot, president of Munster.

When the earl returned to Ireland, fitz Maurice went into exile on the continent. In July 1579 he invaded Ireland with a small force, landing at Dingle and then sailing around the tip of the Dingle peninsula into Smerwick Bay and occupying Dún an Óir (Fort of Gold).

He died in a skirmish on 18 August.