The Fitzgerald clan will be celebrating the family's 24 generations on July 2-5, 2015, at Dromana House, Villierstown, in West Waterford. They will also be commemorating the 800 years since King John of England granted Counties Cork and Waterford to Fitzgerald ancestor Thomas Fitz-Anthony. The reunion website (www.dromana800.com/) announces, "So if you are a FitzGerald or a friend of a FitzGerald or just someone who wants to have some fun then have a look at our many events and we look forward to welcoming you to Villierstown next July." (When I read that sentence I wonder if commas cost extra in website text? Or is the writer simply a punctuation minimalist?) Among other facts in a recent Irish Central article is a statement about 26 Fitzgerald/FitzGerald generations at the estate.

The writer refers to "the Villiers-Stuarts and their Fitzgerald and Fitz-Anthony ancestors." The Irish Central story can be read here: www.irishcentral.com/roots/ancestry/The-famous-Fitzgerald-clan-celebrate-800-years.html

My curiosity about the number discrepancy led me to google further. It seems there was a break in family ownership of the Dromana estate. The property was acquired by the Irish Land Commission in 1957; in 1995 the Villiers-Stuart line returned to the manor, where a daughter still resides.

A story in the Irish Times details more FitzGerald family history, including how the Dromana estate was inherited three times through the female line: www.irishtimes.com/life-and-style/homes-and-property/dromana-house-keeping-it-in-the-family-for-800-years-1.1980541 Lots of drama and interesting characters - whether it's 24 or 26 generations - and intriguing even if you're not a Fitzgerald.