the fitzgerald dynasty has played a major role in irish history. gearóid mór, 8th earl of kildare and his son gearóid óg, 9th earl of kildare, were lord deputy of ireland in the late-fifteenth and early-sixteenth centuries respectively. thomas fitzgerald, 10th earl of kildare (died 1537), known as "silken thomas," led an unsuccessful insurrection in ireland, while lord edward fitzgerald (1763–1798), the fifth son of the first duke of leinster, was a leading figure in the 1798 rebellion. the present-day seat of the irish parliament dáil éireann is housed in leinster house, which was first built in 1745–48 by james fitzgerald, 1st duke of leinster as the ducal palace for the dukes of leinster.