Knight of Glin

‘A Good Knight’: A Tribute to Desmond FitzGerald, Knight of Glin (1937-2011
When I was studying History of Art in UCD in the early nineties, as a young mother with very young boys, one not yet in school, time was a luxury. There was only one great text on the history of Irish artists and it was out of print by about fifteen years. It was The Painters of Ireland by Anne Crookshank and Desmond FitzGerald, Knight of Glin. There was one copy in the library and there was no amazon.com. Finding time to get to the library let alone photocopy what I needed was a near impossibility. So, with some guilt at what we might forego, for the very princely sum of sixty pounds in real money, that book became my first great investment and my introduction to the breadth of knowledge and forensic investigations of two legendary collaborators.
Sadly, Ireland has just lost one of that intrepid team. Little did I realise then, that the Knight would be instrumental in many of my own forays into publishing. I was very honoured to be a contributing author on Painting Ireland, edited by William Laffan, based on the unique collection of Irish topographical views at Glin Castle.
Last weekend, in the beautiful village of Glin in county Limerick, his family, friends, fellow scholars and the people of Glin came from far and near to pay tribute to a stalwart defender of Ireland’s heritage. Desmond’s tireless campaign for the protection of our architectural heritage, the return of our great works of art and craftsmanship, and the publication of a body of work that is definitive on Irish art, architecture and furniture, singles him out as a hero of our times.
When I visited him in hospital recently he was surrounded by books and learned journals, his mind as lucid and enquiring as ever. He remembered the subject of my current research and whispered endless sources that I might follow. I confided that he was a character in my current book and it brought a smile to his face.
Glin Castle and gardens reflects the exquisite taste and earnest approach to conservation and restoration of both Desmond and his wife, Olda. He was generous in arranging tours of the castle and particularly kind when sharing his own knowledge and research; his library and study at Glin are a scholar’s haven. Villagers told me that Glin was where he loved to be, he was clearly held in very fond esteem locally for his work with Glin village. With all of his accomplishments and the honours bestowed upon him, his heart and pride was with his family and Glin.