TyroneO誰eill,
Hugh, earl of Tyrone (1550-1616)
Famed Irish rebel leader during the Nine Years War, 1594-1603 and principal
participant in what has become known as the Flight of the Earls, 1607. Despite
his involvement in such turbulent episodes it is noteworthy that Hugh
O誰eill痴 advancement in his early career owed much to royal patronage,
being elevated in the first instance as baron of Dungannon and later earl of
Tyrone. Seeking to both benefit from the support of the English crown and to
limit its influence in Ulster, the last bastion of Gaelic Society, Hugh
O誰eill痴 career was often characterised by ambivalence. Even his active
participation in the early years of the Nine Years War has been the source of
much debate. What is beyond doubt, however, is that Hugh O誰eill痴
generalship during that conflict was critically important in dictating the
complexion of the war. Securing a series of resounding victories against crown
forces, and none more so than at the battle of the Yellow Ford (1598) where he
annihilated the royal army, Hugh O誰eill almost succeeded in eradicating
English hegemony in Ireland. Indeed, with the arrival of a Spanish army at
Kinsale in 1601, this likelihood seemed all the more apparent. A disastrous
outcome to battle of Kinsale put paid to his aspirations of an outright victory
over the English. Brought to terms with the treaty of Mellifont, 1603, Hugh
O誰eill was rendered temporarily vulnerable, a factor later manifested at the
time of the Flight of the Earls, 1607, when O誰eill escaped to the continent
fearing arrest by the English authorities. Despite living in exile for the rest
of his life, O誰eill continued to be a key player in Irish politics.
Persistent rumours of his imminent return to Ireland was a key factor in
stunting the development of the Ulster plantation in its early stages. The earl of
Tyrone was buried beside his son and the earl of Tyrconnell in the church of San
Pietro, Montario, Rome. See tombstone inscription. Links: Remains of
O誰eill castle discovered, 2003. See
http://breaking.tcm.ie/2003/05/11/story98554.html |