Gerald FitzMaurice | |
|---|---|
| 1st Lord of Offaly | |
 | |
| Tenure | c. 1193–1204 |
| Born | c. 1150 |
| Died | 15 January 1204 |
| Nationality | Cambro-Norman |
| Locality | Maynooth Castle, County Kildare, Ireland |
| Noble family | FitzGerald/FitzMaurice dynasty |
| Spouse(s) | Eve de Bermingham, Lady of Offaly |
| Issue | Maurice FitzGerald, 2nd Lord of Offaly, Justiciar of Ireland |
| Parents | Maurice FitzGerald, Lord of Llanstephan Alice de Montgomery |
Gerald FitzMaurice, jure uxoris 1st Lord of Offaly (c. 1150 – 15 January 1204) was a Cambro-Norman nobleman who took part with his father, Maurice FitzGerald, Lord of Llanstephan, in the Norman Invasion of Ireland (1169–71). Together with his five brothers and one sister Nesta they founded the notable FitzGerald/FitzMaurice dynasty which was to play an important role in Irish history.
By right of his wife, the heiress Eve de Bermingham, Gerald was granted the barony of Offaly, thus becoming the first Lord. He is the ancestor of the Kildare and Leinster branch of the dynasty.
Confusingly, his father Maurice was granted the lordship of Offelan in north County Kildare in 1175 by Strongbow.[1]