O’Neill family
Quick Summary
The O'Neill family was a prominent Irish dynasty that played a significant role in Irish history, particularly during the 16th century as England sought to assert control over the island.12
Conn O'Neill, the first Earl of Tyrone, was the first of his family to gain recognition as a leader against English subjugation. He submitted to King Henry VIII and accepted an English title, a move that was unpopular with his clansmen. His son, Shane O'Neill, succeeded him, but the earldom went to Matthew, Conn's illegitimate son, creating further conflict.1
Turlough Luineach O'Neill, a successor to Shane, also navigated complex relationships with English authorities, at times professing loyalty and at others intriguing against them. He was eventually replaced as chieftain by his cousin Hugh O'Neill.3
Hugh O'Neill, the 2nd Earl of Tyrone, led a major Catholic uprising against English rule from 1595 to 1603. His rebellion was ultimately unsuccessful, marking the final subjugation of Ireland by the English. Following his defeat, Hugh O'Neill and other leaders fled Ireland in 1607, an event known as the "flight of the earls," which signaled the end of Gaelic Ulster.2
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IrelandThe Shane O’Neill rebellion…these rebellions, that of Shane O’Neill, fully exposed the weakness and later the folly of the government. O’Neill’s father, Conn the Lame (Conn Bacach), who as the “O’Neill” was head of a whole network of clans, had been made earl of Tyrone in 1541, and the succession rights of his…
Read More…these rebellions, that of Shane O’Neill, fully exposed the weakness and later the folly of the government. O’Neill’s father, Conn the Lame (Conn Bacach), who as the “O’Neill” was head of a whole network of clans, had been made earl of Tyrone in 1541, and the succession rights of his…
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Northern IrelandGaelic Irish and Anglo-Normans (c. 600–c. 1300)…by a dynasty called the Uí Néill (O’Neill), which claimed descent from a shadowy figure of the 5th century known as Niall of the Nine Hostages. Divided into a northern and a southern branch, the Uí Néill asserted hegemony as high kings, to whom all other Irish kings owed deference.…
Read More…by a dynasty called the Uí Néill (O’Neill), which claimed descent from a shadowy figure of the 5th century known as Niall of the Nine Hostages. Divided into a northern and a southern branch, the Uí Néill asserted hegemony as high kings, to whom all other Irish kings owed deference.…
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Omagh…was ruled by the ancient O’Neill family from the 5th through the 16th century, passing to English rule after the flight of Hugh O’Neill, 2nd earl of Tyrone, in 1607.
Read More…was ruled by the ancient O’Neill family from the 5th through the 16th century, passing to English rule after the flight of Hugh O’Neill, 2nd earl of Tyrone, in 1607.
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Tyrone…century ce, the O’Nialls (or O’Neills) were rulers of this territory, and successive chiefs were installed at Tullaghoge near Dungannon. After the flight (1607) of Hugh O’Neill, 2nd Earl of Tyrone, from the English, ownership of his vast estates lapsed and passed to the crown; the lands were subsequently divided…
Read More…century ce, the O’Nialls (or O’Neills) were rulers of this territory, and successive chiefs were installed at Tullaghoge near Dungannon. After the flight (1607) of Hugh O’Neill, 2nd Earl of Tyrone, from the English, ownership of his vast estates lapsed and passed to the crown; the lands were subsequently divided…
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