James Fitzgerald, The Twentieth Earl Of Kildare
This medal is in our collection in Local Studies. Whilst being a beautiful item in and of itself, it is given added importance due to the context in which it was created.
The obverse face depicts the 20th Earl of Kildare, James Fitzgerald. The Roman Numerals are MDCCLV (1755). He is standing with sword drawn, preventing a hand from snatching money off a table to his right. The phrase ‘Touch Not Says Kildare’ is wrapped around the outer margins of the coin. This sounds almost contemporary and wouldn’t feel too out of place on a modern election poster.
There is a crowned harp on the reverse side, with the text ‘Prosperity To Old Ireland’ curved around the outer margins.
According to The Dictionary of Irish Biography, Fitzgerald’s political career began in 1741 when he entered the House of Commons, as member for Athy. He initially proved loyal to the Crown, offering to raise a regiment at his own expense. This offer was declined.
Grievances over the conduct of the Irish Government, however, proved a pivot point in the trajectory of Fitzgerald’s career. In 1753, he presented a Memorial to the King, outlining the causes of his disaffection. Among the problems he outlined: ‘…the face of your loyal kingdom wears discontent, a discontent not coloured from caprice or faction, but purely founded on ministerial misapplication. That, though several persons, particularly Nevil, were called to account for the public money which they had drawn out of the Treasury and deposited in the banks… That the Duke of Dorset’s son, Lord George, though in high and lucrative employments already, not satisfied therewith, has restlessly grasped at power, insatiable in his acquisitions’ (The Earls of Kildare And Their Ancestors)
For his calling out of the venality of the ruling class, ‘In Ireland the Earl was so popular, that on the 16th November he was an entire hour passing through the crowd from the Parliament House to Kildare House; and a medal was struck to commemorate the memorial…’ (The Earls Of Kildare And Their Ancestors). In 1755, the above-mentioned Duke of Dorset was recalled.
On James Fitzgerald’s passing, the Freemans Journal of November 18th 1773, carried the following: ‘Yesterday, about 1 o’clock in the morning, departed this life at Leinster House, Kildare Street, his grace the most noble and puissant prince, James, Duke of Leinster … whose public character, so justly deserving panegyrick, shall be given in our next.’
James Fitzgerald was the father of Lord Edward Fitzgerald, member of the United Irishmen, who died in 1798.
By Kevin Dowling, Kildare County Archives and Local Studies.
Sources:
Dictionary Of Irish Biography, Eoin Magennis’ entry on life of James Fitzgerald.
The Earls Of Kildare And Their Ancestors, by The Marquis Of Kildare.
The Freemans Journal, November 18th, 1773.
