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References to O'Doherty in the Annals of the
Four Masters. In the following references, the name O'Doherty has been
used by the translators in place of the original various spellings. A
special thanks to Denis Matthew for compiling this information.
M1180.5
Aindileas O'Doherty died at Derry-Columbkille.
M1188.4
Rory O'Canannan, sometime Lord of Tirconnell, and heir presumptive to the
crown of Ireland, was treacherously slain by Flaherty O'Muldory on the bridge of
Sligo, the latter having first artfully prevailed on him to come forth from the
middle of Drumcliff. The brother and some of the people of O'Canannan were also
killed by him. Manus O'Garve, Chief of Fir-Droma (who had laid violent hands on
O'Canannan), was afterwards slain by the people of Eachmarcach O'Doherty, in
revenge of O'Canannan's death.
M1197.2
Mac Etigh, one of the Kienaghts, robbed the altar of the great church of
Derry, and carried off the four best goblets in Ireland, viz. Mac Riabhach, Mac
Solas, the goblet of O'Muldory, and the goblet of O'Doherty, called Cam-Corainn.
These he broke, and took off their jewels and brilliant gems. On the third day
after this robbery, these jewels and the thief were discovered. He was hanged by
Flaherty O'Muldory at Cros-na-riagh (i.e. the Cross of Executions), in
revenge of Columbkille, whose altar he had profaned.
M1197.4
Eachmarcach O'Doherty (i.e. Gilla Sron-mael) immediately after assumed the
chieftainship of Kinel-Connell. A fortnight afterwards John De Courcy, with a
numerous army, crossed Toome into Tyrone, thence proceeded to Ardstraw, and
afterwards marched round to Derry-Columbkille, where he and his troops remained
five nights. They then set out for the hill of Cnoc-Nascain, to be conveyed
across it; but the Kinel-Connell, under the conduct of Eachmarcach O'Doherty,
came to oppose them, and a battle was fought between them, in which many fell on
both sides. The Kinel-Conell were much slaughtered, for two hundred of them were
slain, besides Eachmarcach himself and Donough O'Tairchirt, Chief of
Clan-Snedhgile Clan-Snelly, the prop of the hospitality, valour,
wisdom, and counsel of all the Kinel-Conell; and also Gilla-Brighde O'Doherty,
Mag-Duane, Mag-Fergail, the sons of O'Boyle, and many other nobles. The English
then plundered Inishowen, and carried off a great number of cows from thence,
and then returned.
M1199.5
Donnell O'Doherty, Lord of Kinel-Enda and Ard-Mire, died.
M1202.5
Donnell Carragh O'Doherty, Royal Chieftain of Ardmire, was slain by the
O'Boyles, after he had plundered many churches and territories.
M1208.2
A prey was taken by Hugh O'Neill in Inishowen. O'Donnell (Donnell More)
overtook him with his forces; and a battle was fought between them, in which
countless numbers were slaughtered on both sides. In this battle fell Donnell
Mac Murrough, and a great number of the Kinel-Owen with him. In the heat of this
conflict fell also Caffar O'Donnell, Farrell O'Boyle, Cormac O'Donnell, David
O'Doherty, and other chiefs of the Kinel-Connell. The Kinel-Connell were at
length routed by dint of fighting.
M1252.3
Conor O'Doherty, Chief of Ardmire in the county of Donegal, tower of
the hospitality and feats of arms of the north, died.
M1292.1
Aindiles O'Doherty, Chief of Ardmire, a man of universal hospitality, and
Donough, son of Owen O'Conor, died.
M1339.3
A great army was led by Hugh Reamhar O'Neill into Tirconnell ; and the son
of John O'Neill and Godfrey O'Donnell were slain in the course of this
expedition by the people of O'Doherty.
M1359.2
A great victory was gained at Ballyshannon by Cathal Oge, the son of Cathal
O'Conor, over John, the son of Conor O'Donnell, and the Kinel-Connell. John
O'Doherty, Chief of Ardmire, Owen Connaghtagh, and Turlough Mac Sweeny, were
taken prisoners on this occasion by the son of O'Conor, and many persons were
slain by him. Matthew Magauran, materies of a lord of Teallach Eachdhach was
wounded on that day, and died of his wounds after his return to his own house.
During the same war Cathal Bodhar, the son of Cathal O'Rourke, and Melaghlin
O'Gormly, fell by each other's hand in the same war. This occurred when Cathal
O'Conor marched with a second army into Tirconnell, and a party of his people
arrived in O'Gormly's territory under the command of Cathal Bodhar O'Rourke.
M1374.2
Donnell Oge, son of John O'Doherty, died.
M1380.10
A great victory was gained by O'Donnell (Turlough) over Conor Oge, the son
of John, son of Conor, son of Hugh, son of Donnell Oge, and over O'Doherty and
the Mac Sweenys. Many of their chiefs were slain in the conflict; the two
brothers of Mac Sweeny, John and Murrough, were taken prisoners; and they were
deprived of considerable spoils, consisting of horses, arms, and armour.
M1392.8
A great army was led by O'Neill (Niall) and the sons of Henry O'Neill, with
all the Ultonians, into Tirconnell, against O'Donnell (Turlough). Another army
was led by Donnell, the son of Murtough, and his kinsmen, against O'Donnell
also. The spoils of the territory were carried into the wilds and fastnesses of
the country; and O'Donnell, with his forces, remained behind to protect his
people. The Connacian army did not halt until they arrived at Ceann-Maghair; and
they seized on the spoils of that neighbourhood. O'Donnell, with his forces,
pursued and defeated them, and killed numbers of them, and, among others,
Donough Mac Cabe. As to O'Neill and the sons of Henry O'Neill, and their army,
they plundered O'Doherty's territory, as well churches as lay property, and
marched on, without once halting, until they reached Fearsat-Mor, intending to
give battle to O'Donnell. Here they remained for a long time face to face, but
at length they made peace with each other.
M1396.13
Mary, the daughter of O'Kane, and wife of O'Doherty, died.
M1398.2
A great war broke out between O'Neill (Niall Oge) and O'Donnell (Turlough);
and his own chieftains and tribe abandoned O'Donnell, so that he was reduced to
great straits by the sons of Henry O'Neill, by the sons of John O'Donnell, by
O'Doherty, and by the Clan-Sweeny. Niall Garv, the son of O'Donnell, and the
sons of Donnell, son of Niall O'Donnell, went upon an excursion into Fanad, took
John, the son of Mulmurry Mac Sweeny, prisoner, and committed a depredation. The
English and Irish of the province of Ulster (O'Donnell only excepted) went into
the house of O'Neill, and gave him hostages and other pledges of submission.
M1407.15
Owen O'Doherty, heir to the chieftainship of Ardmire, died.
M1413.2
Conor O'Doherty, Chief of Ardmire, and Lord of Inishowen, a man full of
generosity and general hospitality to the wretched and the poor, died.
M1429.2
Niall O'Doherty, Chieftain of Ardmire, died.
M1429.7
Hugh Direach, the son of Turlough-an-Fhina O'Donnell, and his son, were
slain by Turlough, the son of Niall Garv O'Donnell, on the eighth of February;
and Rury O'Doherty died within a quarter of a year afterwards, at Fathan- Mura-Othna.
M1438.5
Cahir O'Doherty died.
M1439.10
O'Doherty, Chief of Ardmire, i.e. John Balv, the son of Conor, died; and his
brother Donnell assumed his place.
M1440.3
O'Doherty, Donnell, the son of Conor, Chief of Ardmire, died; and two
O'Dohertys were nominated in his place, namely, Edmond, the son of Conor, and
Hugh, the son of John.
M1440.14
Finola, the daughter of O'Doherty, and wife of O'Donnel, died.
M1440.16
O'Doherty's castle, i.e. the castle of Cuil-mic-an-treoin, was taken by
O'Donnell.
M1454.1
Donnell, the son of Niall Garv O'Donnell, was installed in the lordship of
Tirconnell, in opposition to the real O'Donnell (Rury, the son of Naghtan).
And not long after this Donnell was treacherously taken prisoner in his own
house by O'Doherty, who sent him to be imprisoned in the castle of Inis. As soon
as Rury had received tidings of this, he mustered an army. O'Kane and Mac
Quillin came without delay to his assistance, bringing all their forces with
them; and they proceeded to demolish the castle in which Donnell was impri-
soned, with a few persons about him to guard the place, among whom was Cathal
O'Duvdirma. Rury and his army burned the gate and door of the castle, and set
the stairs on fire; whereupon, Donnell, thinking that his life would be taken as
soon as the army should reach the castle, entreated (it being his dying request)
that he might be loosed from his fetters, as he deemed it treacherous to be
killed while imprisoned and fettered. His request was granted, and he was loosed
from his fetters; after which he ascended to the battlements of the castle, to
view the motions of the invading army. And he saw Rury beneath, with eyes
flashing opposition, and waiting until the fire should subside, that he might
enter, and kill him. Donnell then, finding a large stone by his side, hurled it
directly down upon Rury, so that it fell on the crest of his helmet, on the top
of his head, and fractured it, so that he instantly died. The invading
forces were afterwards defeated, and by this throw Donnell saved his own life,
and acquired the lordship of Tirconnell.
M1472.4
Mac Sweeny Fanad, Mulmurry, was slain at the breach of Tapadan, as was also
Donnell, the son of Felim O'Doherty, by the sons of Naghtan O'Donnell, and by
O'Neill; and his son, Rory Mac Sweeny, assumed his place.
M1496.7
O'Doherty (Brian, the son of Donnell) died; and O'Donnell (Hugh Roe)
nominated John O'Doherty as Lord in his place.
M1497.3
Egneghan, the son of Naghtan, who was son of Turlough-an-Fhiona O'Don- nell,
was slain in O'Donnell's (Hugh Roe) camp, by his own foster-son, Con, son of
Hugh, Gerald, son of Donnell, son of Felim O'Doherty, and Brian Mac Clancy, &c.
There were slain along with Egneghan Owen, the son of Turlough Gallda O'Donnell;
the son of Hugh, son of Turlough Gallda; Owen, the son of Hugh, son of
Donough-na-Coille O'Donnell; Felim, the son of Gilla-Duv; and Tur- lough, the
son of Cathal, son of Gilla-Duv O'Gallagher; Donough Balv O'Fir- ghil, and many
others not enumerated.
M1497.7
An army was led by O'Donnell (Con) against Mac Dermot of Moylurg, i.e. Teige,
the son of Rory Mac Dermot. Only a few of the Connacians joined his army on that
occasion, namely, Felim, the son of Manus O'Conor, Lord of Car- bury, and Owen
O'Rourke, Tanist of Breifny, with their forces. A numerous body of forces was
mustered by Mac Dermot, to oppose them at Seaghais the Curlieus, for the
two O'Conors came with their tribes and chieftains to join his force and muster.
A great part of O'Donnell's army made their way by force to the Bealach-Buidhe
of Coirshliabh, under the conduct of Manus O'Conor, Owen O'Rourke, and Niall
Garv O'Donnell, on which occasion Cathal O'Rourke and many others were slain in
the pass of Bealach-Buidhe. The numerous host of the Sil-Murray rose up
in the middle of the army, and de- feated O'Donnell. Felim O'Conor, Lord of
Carbury, was taken prisoner there, as were also the two Mac Sweenys, namely, Mac
Sweeny Fanad, i.e. Rory, and Mac Sweeny Connaughtagh, i.e. Mac Sweeny
Baghaineach, Owen; Donough- na-nordog, the son of O'Donnell; the two sons of
Tuathal O'Gallagher; John and Turlough, the two sons of Donnel Mac Sweeny Fanad;
John and Donnell Oge, the two sons of Mac Sweeny Baghaineach; Niall and Owen
Roe; Gerald, the son of Donnell, son of Felim O'Doherty; and O'Donnell's
physician, the son of Owen Ultach. The Cathach of Columbkille was also taken
from them; and Magroarty, the keeper of it, was slain. Many others also were
slain and taken prisoners in this battle. Owen O'Rourke escaped being killed or
taken in this defeat.
M1511.11
O'Doherty (John, the son of Donnell, son of Conor) died; and Conor Carragh was
called O'Doherty.
M1511.18
An army was led by O'Neill (Art, son of Hugh) into Tirconnell; and he burned
Gleann-Finne and the country from the Swilly hitherwards, and also forced
O'Doherty to give him hostages.
M1516.3
O'Doherty (Conor Carragh) died.
M1522.4
O'Donnell on the other hand assembled his own small, but truly
faithful, forces in Kinel-Connell, namely, O'Boyle, O'Doherty, the three Mac
Sweenys, and the O'Gallaghers, with his son Manus, at Port-na-dtri-namhad, a
perilous pass, through which he supposed O'Neill would make his onslaught upon
them. When O'Neill heard of this position of the enemy, the route he took
was through Kinel-Owen; and he marched unperceived until he arrived at
Termon-Daveog, and from thence to Ballyshannon. The son of Mac Sweeny of
Tir-Boghaine (Brian of the Fleet), whom O'Donnell had left to guard the castle
of Ballyshannon, defended the town against O'Neill as well as he was able; it
was, however, at length taken by O'Neill, and the son of Mac Sweeny, with a
great number of his people, was slain by him. There were also slain there two of
O'Donnell's ollaves, namely, Dermot, the son of Teige Cam O'Clery, a learned
historian and poet, a man who kept an open house of general hospipitality
for the mighty and the indigent, and the son of Mac Ward (Hugh, the son of
Hugh), with several others besides these. This was on the 11th day of June.
Bundrowes and Beal-lice were also taken, and burned by O'Neill on this occasion.
On his return from Bundrowes, a party of his forces slew Rory, son of Godfrey,
who was son of Hugh Gallda O'Donnell, and the son of Mac Kelly of Breifny, near
Sgairbh-innsi-an-fhraoich.
M1524.7
A great war broke out among the O'Kanes, in which Cumaighe. the son
of Brian Finn O'Kane, was slain, and Ferdoragh, the son of Rory, of the Route.
In this war was also slain Hugh Carragh, the son of O'Doherty, by Godfrey, the
son of Godfrey O'Kane, together with a party of his people, they having gone to
assist John, the son of Thomas O'Kane.
M1526.12
O'Doherty (Eachmarcach), Lord of Inishowen, died; and a great contention arose
among his tribe concerning the lordship, and continued until Gerald, the
son of Donnell, son of Felim O'Doherty, was at last styled Lord.
M1527.14
An army was mustered by O'Donnell (Hugh, the son of Hugh Roe), to march into
Connaught. The following were those who joined his forces:— O'Boyle, O'Doherty,
the three Mac Sweenys, Maguire (Cuconnaught), with the rising-out of Fermanagh,
and also the chiefs of Lower Connaught, with their rising-out; and they marched
on, without halting, until they reached Moylurg. They destroyed the whole
country, both corn and buildings. They afterwards proceeded to Castlemore-Costello,
for the purpose of taking it. This was an impregnable fortress, for it contained
provisions, and every kind of engines, the best to be found at that time in
Ireland for resisting enemies, such as cannon, and all sorts of weapons. These
chieftains, nevertheless, proceeded to besiege the castle; and they placed their
army in order all around it, so that they did not permit any person to pass from
it or towards it, until they at last took it.
M1530.3
Catherine, the daughter of Mac Sweeny, and wife of O'Doherty, and Rose, the
daughter of O'Kane, and wife of Felim O'Doherty, died.
M1530.13
Rury, the son of Owen, son of Hugh Balbh, son of John O'Doherty, died; a great
loss in his own country.
M1531.4
The son of O'Doherty, i.e. Niall, the son of Owen Carragh, died.
M1537.13
The son of O'Doherty (Niall Caech, the son of Gerald, son of Donnell, son of
Felim) was slain in a nocturnal assault by Rury, son of Felim O'Doherty, at
Baile-na-gCananach, in the Termon of Derry.
M1540.9
O'Doherty, i.e. Gerald, the son of Donnell, son of Felim, a noble and hospitable
man, died at an advanced age, after having vanquished the Devil and the world.
M1556.9
O'Doherty (Felim, the son of Conor Carragh) died on the 6th of December.
M1582.29
O'Doherty (John, the son of Felim, son of Conor Carragh), Lord of Inishowen,
died on the 26th of May. He was a person for whose ransom (if he could have been
ransomed) many horses and herds would have been given. His son, John Oge, was
elected in his place, in preference to Cahir O'Doherty; in consequence of which
the country was ravaged, both crops, corn, dwellings, and cattle.
M1585.8
A proclamation of Parliament was issued to the men of Ireland, commanding
their chiefs to assemble in Dublin precisely on May-day, for the greater part of
the people of Ireland were at this time obedient to their sovereign; and,
accordingly, they all at that summons did meet in Dublin face to face
M1585.9
Thither came the chiefs of Kinel-Connell and Kinel-Owen, namely, O'Neill (Turlough
Luineach, the son of Niall Conallagh, son of Art, son of Con, son of Henry, son
of Owen), and Hugh, the son of Ferdoragh, son of Con Bacagh, son of Con, son of
Henry, son of Owen, i.e. the young Baron O'Neill, who obtained the title of Earl
of Tyrone at this Parliament; and O'Donnell (Hugh Roe, the son of Manus, son of
Hugh Duv, son of Hugh Roe, son of Niall Garv, son of Turlough of the Wine);
Maguire (Cuconnaught, the son of Cuconnaught, son of Brian, son of Philip, son
of Thomas); O'Doherty (John Oge, the son of John, son of Felim, son of Conor
Carragh); O'Boyle (Turlough, the son of Niall, son of Turlough Oge, son of
Turlough More); and O'Gallagher (Owen, the son of Tuathal, son of John, son of
Rory, son of Hugh).
M1586.4
A Scotch fleet landed in Inishowen, O'Doherty's country, in the
north-eastern angle of Tirconnell. These were the gentlemen and chief constables
of that fleet: Donnell Gorm and Alexander, the two sons of James, son of
Alexander, son of John Cahanagh, son of Mac Donnell; and Gillespick, the son of
Dowell, son of Donough Cam, son of Gillespick Mac Ailin Campbell; with
many other gentlemen besides. Their name and fame were greater than their
appearance. They pitched camps in that part of the country where they
landed, where they had much flesh meat. The haughty robbers, the plunderers, the
perpetrators of treacherous deeds, and the opponents of goodness, of the
neighbouring territories, flocked to join them there; so that there was nothing
of value in Inishowen, whether corn or cattle, which they did not carry off on
this occasion. They afterwards passed along by the River Finn and the Mourne to
Termon-Magrath, to the territory of Lurg, and to Miodhbholg, until they arrived
at the borders of the Erne. When the Burkes, who were engaged in plundering and
insurrection as before stated, namely, Richard Burke, the son of
Deamhan-an-Chorrain, the sons of Edmond Burke, and the Clan-Donnell-Galloglagh,
had heard the news of the arrival of these Scots, they expeditiously sent
messengers, inviting them to their assistance, and stating that they would
obtain many spoils and a territory worthy of them in the province of Connaught,
should they themselves succeed in defending it against the people of the
Sovereign. The Scots, upon receipt of these messages, proceeded across the Erne
by the first march, until they arrived in the district lying between the
Rivers Duff and Drowis; and they proceeded to plunder Dartry and Carbury, where
they were met by Richard and the sons of Edmond Burke. The Governor
proceeded to Sligo to oppose them, upon which the Scots departed from that
district, and passed southwards through Dartry, and by the side of Beanna-bo in
Breifny. They remained three nights in Dromahaire, from whence they proceeded to
Braid-Shliabh; and they never halted until they arrived at Kilronan, where they
stopped, in the vicinity of Breifny, Moylurg, and Tirerrill. The Governor went
from the west to Ballinafad in Tirerrill; and both parties remained in those
places without coming in contact with each other. The Scots at length
began to move from that place in the beginning of a wet and very dark night; and
they proceeded north-westwards through Tirerrill, with the intention of crossing
the bridge of Cul-Maoile; but three companies of the Governor's people
were guarding the bridge on that night. The Scots advanced to them, and a fierce
conflict was fought between them. The Scots were obliged to abandon the bridge,
and to cross the ford on the west side of it. After this they went on the same
night as far as Sliabh-Gamh, and on the following day to Ardnarea. The Governor
departed from Ballinafad on the following day, as though he had no intention of
pursuing them ; and he went through Connaught for fifteen days, collecting
forces as he could; and during that time he had people employed to spy
and reconnoitre the Scots. When he had the requisite number ready, he marched
from the monastery of Bannada in Leyny of Connaught, in the beginning of a very
dark night in autumn, and stopped neither day nor night until he arrived at
Ardnarea, about the noon of the day following, without giving any warning to the
Scots. The way the Scots were on his arrival was, sleeping on their couches,
without fear or guard, just as though that strange country into which they had
come was their own without opposition. They were first aroused from their
profound slumbers by the shrieks of their military attendants, whom the
Governor's people were slaughtering throughout the town. The Scots then arose
expertly, and placed themselves as well as they were able in order and
battle-array, to engage the Governor's people. But this was of no avail to them,
for they had scarcely discharged the first shower of darts before they were
routed by the Governor's people, and driven towards the river which
confronted them, namely, the loud-sounding, salmon-full Moy. On their way
towards the river many were laid low; and when they arrived at the river they
did not stop at its banks, but plunged without delay into its depths, for they
chose rather to be drowned than be killed by the Governor's people. In short,
near two thousand of them were slain on this occasion. The sons of Edmond Burke
were not present at this onslaught, for on the day before that defeat
they had gone forth with three hundred men, in quest of booty for the Scots;
but, hearing the news of this disaster of the Scots, they kept aloof from
them, and remained in the fastnesses of their own country. Such of the Scots and
Ulstermen as were with them i.e. with the sons of Edmond Burke attempted
to effect their passage into Ulster; but they were almost all hanged or slain in
the several territories through which they passed, before they could cross the
Erne. The father of the sons already mentioned, namely, Edmond, the son of Ulick,
son of Edmond, son of Richard O'Cuairsci, was hanged by the Governor after this
defeat. He was a withered, grey, old man, without strength or vigour, and they
were obliged to carry him to the gallows upon a bier !
M1588.14
A great army was mustered by the Lord Justice of Ireland, Sir William
Fitzwilliam; Sir Richard Bingham, Governor of the province of Connaught; and Sir
Thomas Norris, Governor of the two provinces of Munster; together with the most
of the men of Ireland, the people of Ulster excepted, to march against O'Rourke
and Mac Sweeny-na-dTuath, who had formed friendship and alliance with some of
the Spanish fleet which we have before mentioned. These forces spoiled every
thing to which they came in their course, not belonging to the Queen's people,
from the Suck to the Drowes, and from the Drowes to the Finn; yet they were not
able to overtake or apprehend O'Rourke or Mac Sweeny on this occasion. It was on
this expedition that O'Doherty (John Oge, the son of John, son of Felim, son of
Conor Carragh), and O'Gallagher ( Sir John, the son of Tuathal Balbh), were
taken prisoners. The Lord Justice (then) went to Dublin, and the men of Ireland
dispersed for their respective s.
M1590.6
The son of O'Donnell, i.e. Donnell, the son of Hugh, son of Manus, son of
Hugh Duv, son of Hugh Roe, son of Niall Garv, son of Turlough of the Wine
attempted to depose his father, after he had grown weak and feeble from age,
and after his other son had been imprisoned in Dublin; so that Donnell brought
under his power and jurisdiction that part of Tirconnell from the mountain
westwards, i.e. from Bearnas to the River Drowes; and also the people of
Boylagh and Tir-Boghaine. It was a cause of great anguish and sickness of
mind to Ineenduv, the daughter of James Mac Donnell, that Donnell should make
such an attempt, lest he might attain the chieftainship of Tirconnell in
preference to her son, Hugh Roe, who was confined in Dublin, and who she
hoped would become chief, whatever time God might permit him to return from
his captivity; and she, therefore, assembled all the Kinel-Connell who were
obedient to her husband, namely, O'Doherty, with his forces; Mac Sweeny-na-dTuath
(Owen Oge), with his forces; and Mac Sweeny Fanad, with his forces; with a great
number of Scots along with them. After Donnell O'Donnell had received
intelligence that this muster had been made to oppose him, he assembled his
forces to meet them. These were they who rose up to assist him on this
occasion: Mac Sweeny Banagh (Donough, the son of Mulmurry); a party of the Clan-Sweeny
of Munster, under the conduct of the three sons of Owen, the son of Mulmurry,
son of Donough, son of Turlough, and their forces; and O'Boyle (Teige Oge, the
son of Teige, son of Turlough), with all his forces, assembled. The place where
the son of O'Donnell happened to be stationed along with these chieftains was
Doire-leathan at the extremity of Tir-Boghaine, to the west of Gleann
Choluim Cille. The other party did not halt until they came to them to that
place; and a battle ensued between them, which was fiercely fought on both
sides. The Scots discharged a shower of arrows from their elastic bows, by which
they pierced and wounded great numbers, and, among the rest, the son of
O'Donnell himself, who, being unable to display prowess or defend himself, was
slain at Doire-leathan, on one side of the harbour of Telinn, on the 14th of
September. Seldom before that time had his enemies triumphed over him; and the
party by whom he was slain had not been by any means his enemies until they
encountered on this occasion; and although this Donnell was not the rightful
heir of his father, it would have been no disgrace to Tirconnell to have elected
him as its chief, had he been permitted to attain to that dignity. In this
conflict were slain along with Donnell the three sons of Owen, son of Mulmurry,
son of Donough above mentioned, together with two hundred others, around
Donnell.
M1592.13
Hugh O'Donnell returned to Ballyshannon, and sent for physicians to cure his
feet; but they were not able to effect a cure until they had cut off both his
great toes; and he was not perfectly well till the end of a year afterwards.
He remained thus confined under cure of his feet from the festival of St.
Bridget to April. When the cold of the spring season was over, he thought it too
long he had been confined as an invalid; and he sent persons to assemble
and muster all those who were obedient to his father to the east side of the
celebrated mountain, i.e. Barnesmore, in Tirhugh; and he collected also
all those to the west of the same mountain, namely, O'Boyle, and Mac Sweeny of
Tir-Boghaine. There came also to join him, his father, O'Donnell, i.e. Hugh, the
son of Manus, son of Hugh Duv, with his wife, the daughter of James Mac Donnell,
his Hugh Roe's mother. The place of meeting appointed by these chieftains
was Kilmacrenan, where the O'Donnell was usually inaugurated Lord of the Kinel-Connell.
He arrived with the same number at that place. To Hugh O'Donnell's levy on this
occasion came also Mac Sweeny Fanad (Donnell, the son of Turlough, son of Rory),
and Mac Sweeny-na-dTuath (Owen, Oge, the son of Owen Oge, son of Owen). There
were many parties of the Kinel-Connell who did not come to this assembly. Of
these was Hugh, the son of Hugh Duv, son of Hugh Roe O'Donnell; and the
descendants of Calvagh, the son of Manus, son of Hugh Duv; O'Doherty; John Oge,
the son of John, son of Felim, son of Conor Carragh, Chieftain of the
Tricha-ched of Inishowen; and a party of the Clan-Sweeny, who had gone away
from their own territory, and were dwelling at that time on the margin of Lough
Foyle, and who had been leaders in battle to Calvagh O'Donnell, and his
descendants after him. There was also a great number of the O'Gallaghers who did
not come hither, through spite and malice, like the others.
M1592.18
When that party of the Kinel-Connell who were in opposition to O'Donnell
heard that he had made peace with the Lord Justice, they all came to him in
peace and amity. The most distinguished of these who came there were Hugh, the
son of Hugh Duv, son of Hugh Roe; Niall Garv, the son of Con, son of Calvagh,
son of Manus, son of Hugh Duv, with his kinsmen; and O'Doherty, namely, John Oge,
the son of John, son of Felim, son of Conor Carragh, after having been taken
prisoner by him Hugh Roe.
M1598.37
In the autumn of this year O'Donnell (i.e. Hugh Roe) sent a body of forces
from Tirconnell with Mac William (Theobald, the son of Walter Kittagh, son of
John, son of Oliver) into Mac William's territory. He sent with him on this
occasion O'Doherty (John Oge, the son of John, son of Felim, son of Conor
Carragh) with a great force. They were scarcely noticed in any country by which
they marched, or through which they passed, until they arrived in the Owles; and
it was in these territories the greater part of the herds and flocks of
cattle of all Mac William's country then were. They collected all the cattle
that were on the main land outside the small islands; and though great was the
gathering and collection of preys they made, they encountered no danger or
difficulty on account of them, save only the trouble of removing and driving
them off. And they returned safe to their territories, i.e. Mac William to
Tirawly, and O'Doherty to Inishowen.
M1599.15
O'Donnell Hugh: i.e. Roe, the son of Hugh, son of Manus, had resided at
Ballymote, in the county of Sligo, from the gaining of the battle of Ath-Buidhe,
in the beginning of August, to the festival of St. Bridget in this year. He felt
it long to have remained during this time without going into some enemy's
territory, but he knew not to what particular place he should go; for he had not
left a quarter, limit, wilderness, or recess, in the whole province of Connaught
the inhabitants of which he had not plundered, or from which he had not
taken pledges and hostages, save Thomond alone wherefore, at the time aforesaid,
he ordered an army to be mustered in order to proceed into Thomond. First of all
assembled the Kinel-Connel, among whom were Hugh Oge, the son of Hugh Duv, son
of Hugh Roe, son of Niall Garv O'Donnell; and Niall Garv, the son of Con, son of
Calvagh, son of Manus, son of Hugh Duv; O'Doherty (John Oge, the son of Felim,
son of Conor Carragh); O'Boyle (Teige Oge, the son of Teige, son of Turlough,
son of Niall); Mac Sweeny Fanad (Donnell, the son of Turlough, son of Mulmurry);
and Mac Sweeny Banagh (Donough, the son of Mulmurry Meirgeach, son of Mulmurry,
son of Niall): all these with their forces. Into the same rendezvous came
Maguire (Hugh, the son of Cuconnaught, son of Cuconnaught, son of Cuconnaught,
son of Brian, son of Philip, son of Thomas); the son of O'Rourke (Thomas, the
son of Brian, son of Brian Ballagh, son of Owen); and the Mac William, whom
O'Donnell himself had some time before nominated, namely, Theobald, son of
Walter Kittagh, son of John, son of Oliver.
M1600.39
Donnell Spaineach, the son of Donough; son of Cahir Carragh Kavanagh, made
peace with the Lord Justice in autumn. The sons of Fiagh, son of Hugh, son of
John O'Byrne, likewise made peace with him. The English fleet, which had
been ordered by the Queen and Council of England to be sent, by Patrick's Day,
against the province of Ulster, at the time that Lord Mountjoy was appointed
Lord Justice over Ireland, as we have said, was being prepared and equipped,
without delay or neglect, with all the necessary engines, in England; for it was
a great annoyance of mind to the Queen and the Councils there and here that the
Kinel-Owen, the Kinel-Connell, and Ulstermen in general, and those who were in
alliance with them, had made so long a defence and stand against them; and they
also called to mind, and it preyed like a latent disease upon their hearts, all
of their people that had been slain and destroyed, and of their wealth that they
had expended, in carrying on the Irish war till then, so that they resolved to
send this fleet to Ireland; and it arrived in the harbour of Dublin in the month
of April of this year. From thence they set out in the very beginning of summer
(by advice of the Earl of Clanrickard and of the Earl of Thomond); and they were
ordered to put into the harbour of the Lake of Feabhal, son of Lodan. They then
sailed, keeping their left to Ireland, until they put into the harbour of that
place, as they had been directed. After landing, they erected on both sides of
the harbour three forts, with trenches sunk in the earth, as they had been
ordered in England. One of these forts, i.e. Dun-na-long, was erected on
O'Neill's part of the country, in the neighbourhood of Oireacht-Ui-Chathain; and
two in O'Donnell's country, one at Cuil-mor, in O'Doherty's country, in the
cantred of Inishowen, and the other to the south-west of that, at Derry-Columbkille.
The English immediately commenced sinking ditches around themselves, and raising
a strong mound of earth and a large rampart, so that they were in a state to
hold out against enemies. These were stronger and more secure than courts of
lime and stone, or stone forts, in the erection of which much time and great
labour might be spent. After this they tore down the monastery and cathedral,
and destroyed all the ecclesiastical edifices in the town, and erected houses
and apartments of them. Henry Docwra was the name of the general who was over
them. He was an illustrious Knight, of wisdom and prudence, a pillar of battle
and conflict. Their number was six thousand men. When these arrived at Derry
they made little account of Culmore or Dun-na-long. The English were a long time
prevented, by fear and dread, from going outside the fortifications, except to a
short distance; and a great number of them were on the watch every night, that
they might not be attacked unawares; so that they were seized with
distemper and disease, on account of the narrowness of the place in which they
were, and the heat of the summer season. Great numbers of them died of this
sickness.
M1600.40
As for O'Donnell, when he perceived that they were not in the habit of going
outside their encampments, through fear and dread, he made no account of them,
and assembled his forces, to proceed into the south of Connaught, to plunder the
countries that lay on both sides of Sliabh-Echtge, and especially Thomond. He
had good reason for this, indeed, for it was these Earls, namely, the Earl of
Clanrickard and the Earl of Thomond, who had requested the Lord Justice and the
Council to send over this great army, to keep him in his own territory,
away from them, for they deemed it too often that he had gone into their
territories. Having adopted this resolution, he left O'Doherty, chieftain of
Inishowen, i.e. John Oge, the son of John, son of Felim O'Doherty, to watch the
foreigners, that they might not come to plunder his territory. He also left
Niall Garv O'Donnell, and some of his army, encamped against them on the west
side, between them and the cantred of Enda, son of Niall. He then mustered his
forces, to proceed westwards across the River Erne. He took with him on this
hosting, in the first place, all those who were under his jurisdiction in
Ulster; and the Connacians, from the River Suck to the Drowes, and from the west
of Tirawly to Breifny O'Reilly, were expecting and awaiting his arrival at
Ballymote, whither they were gone at his summons. Among the Connaughtmen who
awaited him there were O'Rourke (Brian Oge, the son of Brian, son of Brian
Ballagh, son of Owen); O'Conor Sligo (Donough, the son of Cathal Oge, son of
Teige, son of Cathal Oge), together with the people of the districts which lie
from Coirrshliabh northwards to the sea; O'Conor Roe (Hugh, the son of Turlough
Roe, son of Teige Boy, son of Cathal Roe), with all his muster; Mac Dermot of
Moylurg, i.e. Conor, son of Teige, son of Owen, son of Teige, with his people;
and Mac William Burke, i.e. Theobald, the son of Walter Kittagh, son of John,
son of Oliver, with his muster.
M1600.66
Sir John Chamberlain, a colonel of the English of Derry, marched with a
numerous force against O'Doherty, to plunder and prey him. O'Doherty, with a
small party, met the English; and a fierce battle was fought between them, in
which the English were defeated, and the colonel and others were slain by
O'Doherty.
M1601.7
O'Doherty (John Oge, the son of John, son of Felim, son of Conor Carragh) died
on the 27th of January. He was Lord of the triocha-ched of Inishowen; and there
was not among all the Irish of his time a lord of a triocha-ched of better hand
or hospitality, or of firmer counsel, than he. O'Donnell nominated Felim Oge,
i.e. the brother of the deceased John, the O'Doherty; but the Clan-Ailin
and the Clan-Devitt took Cahir, the son of John Oge, to the English, to Derry;
and the General, Sir Henry Docwra, styled him O'Doherty, to spite O'Donnell.
M1607.2
Maguire (Cuconnaught) and Donough, the son of Mahon, son of the Bishop
O'Brien, brought a ship with them to Ireland, and put in at the harbour of
Swilly. They took with them from Ireland the Earl O'Neill (Hugh, the son of
Ferdorcha), and the Earl O'Donnell (Rury, the son of Hugh, son of Manus), with a
great number of the chieftains of the province of Ulster. These were they who
went with O'Neill, namely, the Countess Catherina, the daughter of Magennis, and
her three sons, Hugh the Baron, John, and Brian; Art Oge, the son of Cormac, son
of the Baron; Ferdorcha, son of Con, son of O'Neill; Hugh Oge, the son of Brian,
son of Art O'Neill; and many others of his faithful friends. These were they who
went with the Earl O'Donnell: Caffar, his brother, and his sister, Nuala; Hugh,
the Earl's son, wanting three weeks of being one year old; Rose, the daughter of
O'Doherty, and wife of Caffar, with her son, Hugh, aged two years and three
months; the son of his brother, Donnell Oge, the son of Donnell; Naghtan, the
son of Calvagh, son of Donough Cairbreach O'Donnell; together with many others
of his faithful friends. They entered the ship on the festival of the Holy
Cross, in autumn.
M1608.1
Great dissensions and strife arose between the Governor of Derry, Sir George
Pawlett, and O'Doherty (Cahir, the son of John Oge). The Governor not only
offered him insult and abuse by word, but also inflicted chastisement on his
body; so that he would rather have suffered death than live to brook such insult
and dishonour, or defer or delay to take revenge for it; and he was filled with
anger and fury, so that he nearly ran to distraction and madness. What he did
was, to consult with his friends how he should take revenge for the insult which
was inflicted upon him. What they first unanimously resolved, on the 3rd of May,
was to invite to him Captain Hart, who was at Cuil-mor (a fort on the margin of
Lough Foyle, below the Derry we have mentioned), and to take him prisoner.
This was done, and he obtained the fort in his release. He repaired
immediately at daybreak to Derry, and awoke the soldiers of that town with the
sword. The Governor was slain by Owen, the son of Niall, son of Gerald O'Doherty,
and Lieutenant Corbie by John, the son of Hugh, son of Hugh Duv O'Donnell. Many
others were also slain besides these. Captain Henry Vaughan and the wife of the
bishop of the town were taken prisoners. They afterwards plundered and burned
the town, and carried away immense spoils from thence.
M1608.2
Alas! although it was no wonder that this noble chieftain should have
avenged his dishonour, innumerable and indescribable were the evils that sprang
up and pullulated in the entire province of Ulster through this warlike rising,
which he undertook against the King's law; for from it resulted his own death,
on the 18th of July following, by the Chief Marshal of Ireland, Robert Wingfield,
and Sir Oliver Lambert. He was cut into quarters between Derry and Cuil-mor, and
his head was sent to Dublin, to be exhibited; and many of the gentlemen and
chieftains of the province, too numerous to be particularized, were also put to
death. It was indeed from it, and from the departure of the Earls we have
mentioned, it came to pass that their principalities, their territories, their
estates, their lands, their forts, their fortresses, their fruitful harbours,
and their fishful bays, were taken from the Irish of the province of Ulster, and
given in their presence to foreign tribes; and they were expelled and banished
into other countries, where most of them died.
M1608.3
Niall Garv O'Donnell, with his brothers Hugh Boy and Donnell, and his
son, Naghtan, were taken prisoners about the festival of St. John in this year,
after being accused of having been in confederacy with O'Doherty. They were
afterwards sent to Dublin, from whence Niall and Naghtan were sent to London,
and committed to the Tower, Niall having been freed from death by the decision
of the law; and they Niall and Naghtan remained confined in the Tower to
the end of their lives. Hugh and Donnell were liberated from their captivity
afterwards, i.e. in the year following.
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