Elizabeth Plunket facts for kids
Elizabeth FitzGerald was an important lady who lived a long time ago, in the late 1500s and early 1600s. She was the first wife of Luke Plunket, who later became the first Earl of Fingall in 1628. They lived at Killeen Castle in County Meath, Ireland. Elizabeth was the daughter of Henry FitzGerald, 12th Earl of Kildare. This also made her the sister of Bridget, who became the Countess of Tyrconnell and was married to Prince Rory O'Donnell, 1st Earl of Tyrconnell.
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Discovering Elizabeth's True Family
For many years, there was some confusion about Elizabeth FitzGerald's family tree. Some old records from the 1800s and early 1900s incorrectly said she was the daughter of Rory O'Donnell, 1st Earl of Tyrconnell, and Lady Bridget FitzGerald. This meant people thought her name was Elizabeth O'Donnell. These mistakes appeared in several important family history books.
Correcting the Records
However, more accurate information has since been found. We now know that Elizabeth was actually the second daughter of Henry FitzGerald, 12th Earl of Kildare, and Lady Frances Howard. This means she was the sister of Lady Bridget FitzGerald, not her daughter. Lady Bridget was the one who married Rory O'Donnell.
This correct information comes from the FitzGerald family's own old records, kept at places like Carton House and Kilkea Castle. Charles FitzGerald, 4th Duke of Leinster, who was a very important member of the family, confirmed this himself. He wrote that Elizabeth FitzGerald married Luke Plunket, 1st Earl of Fingall in 1608.
Elizabeth's Short Life
Sadly, Elizabeth FitzGerald died in London in 1611. She passed away during a time when the plague was spreading, only three years after she got married.
Luke Plunket's Other Marriages
After Elizabeth's death, Lord Killeen (who later became the Earl of Fingall) married three more times.
- In 1628, he married Eleanor Bagenal, but they did not have any children.
- He later had a son, Christopher Plunket, 2nd Earl of Fingall, with his wife Susanna Brabazon. Christopher married Mabel Barnewall. Mabel was Elizabeth's niece, through her sister Bridget. Bridget's second husband was Nicholas Barnewall, 1st Viscount Kingsland, and they had more children.
- Another niece, Mary Barnewall, married Nicholas Preston, the 6th Viscount Gormanston.
- Luke Plunket's last wife was Margaret St. Lawrence, daughter of Nicholas St Lawrence, 9th Baron Howth.
Luke Plunket died on March 29, 1637, and Margaret passed away in November of the same year.
