 In addition, the fighting laid waste to a large part of the south of Ireland.War-related famine and disease are thought to have killed up to a third of Munster's pre-war population.The Munster branch of the FitzGeralds, known as the Geraldines, were holders of the title Earl of Desmond, which at the time of the rebellions was held by Gerald FitzGerald, 15th Earl of Desmond, referred to here as the "Earl of Desmond".