The Earl of Desmond was a title in the peerage of Ireland, associated with the historic province of Munster. The title was created in the late 12th century and became prominent during the medieval period. The Earls were influential in local politics and land ownership, often involved in conflicts with the English crown and other Irish lords. The most notable of the Earls was James FitzMaurice Fitzgerald, the 14th Earl, who played a significant role in the Desmond Rebellions against English rule in the late 16th century. The title eventually became extinct in the 17th century, following the defeat of the Fitzgerald family and the subsequent confiscation of their lands.