The news of the flight of O’Neill and O’Donnell caused, throughout the greater part of Ulster, the utmost consternation. Abandoned like sheep without their shepherds, the clansmen of Tfr Owen and Tfrconnell knew not what fate might befall them. The English Government, fearing lest, in their despair, they might resort to desperate courses, endeavoured to allay their anxiety. A Proclamation was issued by the King, in which he declared that he would take into his own hands the possessions of the fugitive earls, and would protect the rights of all those who had held estates under them. At this very time a scheme for an extensive Plantation had been laid before James by Chichester.

In 1608, a singularly rash and ill-advised insurrection gave an excuse for extending still further the projected confiscations. Its leader was the young Sir Cahir O’Doherty, chief of Inishowen. He quarrelled on some private matter with Sir George Paulet, Governor of Derry, and, in the course of the dispute, Paulet struck him in the face. Vowing vengeance, Sir Cahir withdrew. Niall Garff was afterwards said to have encouraged the misguided youth to his ruin, and young O’Hanlon and some others certainly promised assistance.

In 1556 Shane came to Dublin and made a submission to the Deputy, but next year there was war again, and Sussex marched up to Armagh ; after which he marched back to Dublin, and all was as before. Shane now interfered in a family dispute amongst the O’Donnells, and supported Hugh Dubh, a younger brother, against Calvach, eldest son of the reigning chief. Shane’s forces were far superior to those of his opponents, but over-confidence brought destruction to them.

They were encamped on the shores of Lough Swilly. Calvach O’Donnell sent two spies into their camp, who reported to their own leader the disposition of the O’Neill forces, and the careless watch which was kept. The O’Donnells made a night attack, and Shane’s army, taken by surprise, was defeated with great slaughter. He himself barely escaped, and his splendid black horse, ” Son of the Eagle,” said to be the finest horse in Ireland, was captured.

In 1558 Matthew, Baron of Dungannon, was slain. Shane maintained that he fell in fair fight, but the English authorities say that Shane murdered him, or caused him to be murdered. Of Matthew’s four young sons, the second, Hugh, was destined to attain “celebrity greater than even that of his uncle, Shane.” Next year (1559), Conn Bacach died. On his deathbed he pronounced a curse, it is said, on any of his posterity who should learn English, build a house or sow corn.