An accidental spark set the fire materials alight. Hugh Maguire, reigning chief of Fermanagh, had been exasperated by the outrages inflicted on his people by a certain Captain Willis and his band of disorderly followers, who had come into his territory in a supposed official capacity, and he had driven the intruders out. In 1593 a campaign was organised against him, in which, very reluctantly, Hugh O'Neill took part. In 1594 the Deputy again invaded Fermanagh, and planted a garrison in Enniskillen, ... Read More

  This very connection of the Reformed doctrines with the imposition of foreign rule and a foreign tongue proved, in effect, one of the greatest obstacles to their progress, and joined together the Irish, both the natives and the descendants of the colonists, in resistance to them. Hitherto here had been amongst the Irish little of that love of country as a whole which we have agreed to call Nationality. The O'Neills, the O'Donnells, and the rest lived and died, not for Ireland, ... Read More