Hugh O'Neill had not favoured the Spaniards, at least openly. Indeed, he professed zeal against them, but the English authorities appear to have had considerable doubt as to the sincerity of his professions. They had begun to entertain doubts even of his loyalty, and indeed with reason. He had probably long before this conceived the idea of uniting all Ireland in one great effort to shake off the yoke of the stranger, and attain actual or virtual independence. Still, Hugh was in no ... Read More

Above : Tomb Of Baron Howth Only a few weeks after this (May 1607), an anonymous letter, purporting to give an account of a plot, which was being hatched to seize Dublin Castle and murder the Lord Deputy, was dropped outside the Council Chamber. The writer proved to be Christopher St. Lawrence, Baron Howth, who, on being interrogated by the Deputy, named Rory O'Donnell, Cuconnacht Maguire and several others as amongst the conspirators, but confessed that he had no evidence against Tyrone. ... Read More