The Beginnings: Earl of Tyrone

The next danger that menaced the English power in the land came from a new quarter, and it was by far the most formidable that it had ever encountered since Strongbow and his Norman adventurers crossed St. George’s Channel. For the first time, a National Irish champion endeavoured to organise a National Irish resistance to the power of the stranger.

Above: Portrait of Hugh O’Neill, Earl of Tyrone

Hugh O’Neill, Earl of Tyrone.—When Brian, the eldest son of Matthew O’Neill, was slain in 1562 his rights as Earl of Tyrone passed to Hugh his brother. But Hugh was then “a child of young years”—he was probably born about 1547—and, for the present, the English did not push his claim. He grew to manhood, living much in England, and high in favour at Elizabeth’s court. It was hoped that he would one day be a powerful instrument for ” civilising ” the wild Irish of Ulster.

During the Desmond Rebellion, Hugh served in Ireland under Lord Grey. He sat in the Dublin Parliament of 1585 as Earl of Tyrone, and two years later he was put in possession of most of the Tir Owen territory. Certain restrictions were imposed on Hugh’s power, but little attempt was “made to enforce them. The Earl of Tyrone, for all his English title, was Prince of Tir Owen, as his ancestors had been before him.

Since 1584 Sir John Perrott had been Deputy. Capture of Hugh Ruadh O’Donnell.—About a year previous to his departure in 1588, he had carried out a stroke of policy, much praised at the time, but in its outcome unfortunate, since it prepared for the English Government an implacable and formidable foe.

Above: Desmond in Rebellion

Away in Tirconnell, Hugh Dubh O’Donnell was the reigning chief. All his life he had been reckoned ” loyal.” He had not opposed the English Government, as represented by the Deputy and Council in Dublin, and they had not meddled in his territorial affairs. But when now it was proposed that Tirconnell should be ” shired,” and sheriffs sent in to it, Hugh Dubh flatly refused to receive the said sheriffs. At once it was concluded that he harboured some sort of ” disloyal ” designs. To employ force against a chief so powerful, and whose territories were so far removed from the Pale, would be difficult and costly, but some security for his future good behaviour might be obtained, if an important member of his family could be got into the hands of the Government and held as pledge Hugh Dubh had been twice married, the second time to the daughter of James Mac Donnell of the Isles.

Hugh Dubh had been twice married, the second time to the daughter of James Mac Donnell of the Isles. Hugh Dubh had been twice married, the second time to the daughter of James Mac Donnell of the Isles. Their eldest son, Hugh Ruadh ^{was now fifteen, and a lad of such promise that it seemed certain that he, rather than Donall, his half-brother, would be chosen as the future chief. His sister was married to Hugh O’Neill, to whose daughter by a former marriage he himself was betrothed or married, and this close connection with the other great Ulster chief might render lam all the more formidable in the future. It was resolved to capture him, if possibleAbout the Michaelmas of 1587, a ship laden with beer and wine anchored on the west side of Lough Swilly. The captain sent an invitation to young Hugh, then a guest at Donal Mac Swiney’s castle near by, to come on board and taste of his wares. Hugh came with some of his friends, and they were feasted till they were merry and cheerful. Then, in the midst of their mirth, they were seized, disarmed and taken prisoners. The ship made sail for Dublin, and soon Hugh Ruadh was lodged in Dublin Castle, where for four years he remained.}