Aodh Ó Domhnaill (abt. 1572 - 1602)

Born about 1572 in Donegal, Ireland

Ancestors

Died 10 Sep 1602 at about age 30 in Simancas, Valladolid, Spain

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Biography

Aodh Ruadh Ó'Domhnaill, also known as Hugh Roe O'Donnell, was born circa 1572, to Sir Hugh O'Donnell, Lord of Tyrconnell, and his second wife Finola MacDonald, known as "Ineen Dubh". He had at least seven full siblings, and five elder half siblings.

His father established himself as an ally of the Crown to protect his interests. In Sir Hugh's final years, it was demanded that he name his successor. Finola wanted her son Red Hugh to succeed his father and tried to convince his father. However his half brother Donnell became a favourite to one day inherit the title and was chosen by the crown, who saw him as the more rightful and stable ruler. However Donnell was later killed by in a battle between Royal Irish Army troops under his control, and Redshank mercenaries brought from Scotland by Ineen Dubh^[1].

At the age of sixteen, Red Hugh was kidnapped by Sir John Perrot, a Lord deputy. The English did not trust the O'Neills or O'Donnell clans and were worried at their close ties, fearing a rebellion. Red Hugh was sent to Dublin Castle.

He made a failed attempt to escape in 1591 but was captured in days. In January 1592, Hugh O'Neill arranged for Red Hugh to be rescued and brought to safety through the Wicklow Mountains, along with fellow prisoner Art O'Neill. It was a freezing winter month and the mountains were covered in snow. Wearing unsuitable clothes and footwear, Hugh caught frostbite and lost both of his big toes. His companion Art died on the journey. Hugh managed to reach Fiach MacHugh O'Byrne's fort at Glenmalure. He soon returned to Donegal.

By the time he was twenty years old, he had been named chieftain of the O'Donnells-his mother's wishes finally coming true. His father abdicated in his favour.

Red Hugh drove out the English sherriff from Donegal, who had broken his promises to Tyrconnell and invaded a monastery there after expelling the friars.

He fought Turlough Luineach O'Neill of neighbouring Tyrone to force him to surrender his title to Hugh O'Neill. Hugh O'Neill did not openly get involved bit secretly supported Hugh O'Donnell.

He joined forces with Hugh O'Neill and led a rebellion against the English in 1593. His men had captured the territory from Sligo to Leitrim by 1595. O'Neill had by now abamdondd negotiation with the English and along with Red Hugh, defeated Sir Henry Bagenal at the Battle of Clontibret in 1596.

The greatest victory of this rebellion was at the Battle of the Yellow Ford at the Blackwater River in Tyrone in August 1598. The Irish stopped English focres from coming to relieve Armagh, and believed they were close to driving the English forces out of Ireland. O'Neill went to Munster to look for supporters while Red Hugh drove minor English Lord's out of Connaught. Neither had much success in rallying supporters.

Over the next two years, new troops were sent to Ireland from England. Red Hugh stopped them heading towards west Ulster at the Battle of Curlew Pass in 1599. His brother in law Niall Garve O'Donnell went over to the English side, hoping they would support his claim to becoming Lord of Tyrconnell. He helped them land ships in Derry on Red Hugh's territory.

Red Hugh and O'Neill realized their one hope of defeating the English was help from the Spanish. The Spanish forces landed in Kinsale in 1601. Red Hugh and his men marched forty miles every day for weeks, passing through the tough Slievefelim Mountains. The Irish suffered a terrible defeat in Battle of Kinsale Kinsale. Hugh O'Neill was cautious about how they would proceed while Spanish Commander Juan del Aquila, backed up by Red Hugh- was eager for immediate attack^[2]. The forces of Sir Charles Blount, Lord Mountjoy were too strong to be resisted.

O'Donnell was marching his army south to meet the Spanish at Kinsale on the south coast when, on the 15 August 1599 they ambushed and routed an English force led by Sir Conyers Clifford in the Battle of Curlew Pass near the town of Boyle, in County Roscommon.

After the Irish defeat at Kinsale, Hugh Roe O'Donnell left Ireland and sailed to Corunna in Galicia, Spain. He was received by the Governor of Galicia and Lord Archbishop of Santiago de Compostela. He plotted a return to Ireland and went to Valladolid and asked Philip III of Spain. He was promised help but a year passed with no word from the king. He set out again for Valladolid but caught a fever and died on the way in 1602. The archbishop of Tuam Fláithrí I Maol Chonaire and two friars from Donegal were present at his death. Simancas shortly after reaching Spain. ^[3]

He was succeeded as chief of the Clan O'Donnell by his brother, Rudhraighe Ó Domhnaill; Rory O'Donnell.

Sources

1. ↑ Wikipedia : Hugh Roe O'Donnell
2. ↑ Britannica - Hugh Roe O'Donnell
3. ↑ Irish Times March 17, 2018 : Resting-place of Red Hugh describes the unveiling of a splendid plaque at Simancas Castle, the location of Red Hugh's death.

• Wikipedia : Hugh Roe O'Donnell

See also:

• Celt - Beatha Aodha Ruaidh Uí Dhomhnaill (The Life of Aodh Ruadh O Domhnaill) author: Lughaidh Ó Cléirigh trans: Paul Walsh
• A compendium of Irish biography: comprising sketches of distinguished Irishmen, and of Eminent Persons Connected with Ireland by Office or by their Writings by Alfred Webb, publ 1878 p 391

• https://www.libraryireland.com/Atlas/XXXIX-Red-Hugh-ODonnell.php