THE death has occurred, in a car accident, of the Earl of Offaly Thomas Fitzgerald (23). He was the only son of the Marquess and Marchioness of Kildare, Maurice and Fiona, and had two sisters Francesca and Pollyanna.
He was also the grandson of the Duke and Duchess of Leinster, and Ms Peggy Hollick.
The Earl had visited Ireland for the first time last September when he began a three months course at the Ballymaloe Cookery School in Shanagarry, Midleton
Co Cork.
On completion in December he began his career as a chef, working in a number of Cork restaurants.
The accident happened about six miles north of Cashel in Co Tipperary, on May 9th.
His girlfriend who was travelling with him at the time, suffered a broken leg in the crash.
The funeral service takes place in England next Tuesday, May 27th, at 4 p.m. in All Saints Church, Sutton Courtenay, Oxfordshire.
The family suggested that donations could be made to the Oxford Homeless Medical Fund or the Oxfordshire Dyslexia Association.
The Earl had dyslexia and the Marquess is president of the association.
The family's Irish ancestral homes were Kilkea castle in Co Kildare which the family sold in the 1960s and is now an hotel. They also owned Carton House in Co Kildare, an estate more than 200 years old.
Last night, the Marchioness said that although her son coped with dyslexia "he had many other talents. He was very kind, sensitive, loving, loyal and a very good cook."
The Earl was also a keen sportsman.
He was educated at Cothill Preparatory School in Oxfordshire and public school in England.
A memorial service will take place in Ireland at a date yet to be arranged.