The news of the Spaniards' arrival had been speedily conveyed to the Ulster chieftains. Their disappointment at the smallness of the succour so long waited for, and at the ill selection of a landing place, must have been extreme. They knew, however, that this was their last chance, and they prepared to march southwards in all haste. Hugh Ruadh called together the sub-chiefs who still adhered to him, and, when all were assembled with their forces at Ballymote, he started on his ... Read More

During this period, then, English influence was at its lowest ebb.The country was independent, and the nation was unified in culture ; but the one had no centre, and the other no head— there was no national focus. The conditions were remarkably like those after Clontarf or like those of the Italian States down to recent times. Certain definite groupings there were. O'Neill and O'Donnell, O'Brien and Mac Carthy were still the accepted leaders of many subordinate clans.  Indeed, the continued recognition of the ... Read More