Hugh Roe (Red Hugh) O'Donnell

1452

Naghtan, son of Turlough-an-Fhina O'Donnell, Lord of Tirconnell,
Kinel-Moen, Inishowen, and the neighbouring territories, a brave and
protecting man, and arbiter of peace and war of the north, was slain in
the darkness of the night, on the festival of St Brendan, by Donnell
and Hugh Roe, the sons of Niall O'Donnell, his brother, because he had
some time before banished these sons of Niall from Tirconnell. Naghtan
was 60 years of age when he was killed. AFM

1456

A great war broke out between Donnell and Henry O'Neill, after the
expulsion of the sons of Naghtan O'Donnell, by O'Donnell, into Tyrone.
O'Neill and Maguire went with the sons of Naghtan into Inishowen, and
marched, without halting, until they pitched their camp near the
confines of Cuil-Mic-an-treoin, to oppose this great army, which the
sons of Naghtan had drawn into their territory. But when O'Donnell left
the town with his small number of attendants, the other party espied
them, and followed them as quickly as they could, until they overtook
them; and then they did not shew them the rights of men, not did they
oppose to them an equal number of their forces, but the many rushed
upon the few, so that Donnell was slain (on 18 May, which fell on
friday), and Hugh Roe and the son of Mac Sweeny were taken prisoners.
Turlough Cairbreach, the son of Naghtan, then assumed the lordship of
Tirconnell. AFM

1460

Hugh Roe, the son of Niall Garv O'Donnell, and the son of Mac Sweeny
Fanad (Mulmurray), were liberated from prison by Henry O'Neill, after
they had been detained by him as prisoners for 4 full years; for the
sons of Naghtan (who during this time enjoyed the chieftainship) were
dearer to him than the sons of Niall. AFM

1461

The sons of Niall Garv O'Donnell, Hugh Poe, Con, and Owen, assembled
all their forces, and proceeded into Fanad to the son of Mac Sweeny,
Mulmurry, because Turlough Cairbreach O'Donnell was wreaking his
animosities on the son of Mac Sweeny and all Fanad, for their

friendship to the sons of Niall. The sons of Niall and the son of Mac
Sweeny held a council, to consider how they should act, in order to
defend themselves against the sons of Naghtan and their forces, who
were ready to wreak their vengance and emnity on them. When O'Donnell
and the sons of Naghtan were informed that the sons of Niall had
arrived in Fanad, he set out after them with his brothers, his troops
and a battalion of Scotsmen then in his service, and pitched his camp
at Ceann-Maghair, to watch and check the sons of Niall O'Donnell and

Mulnurry Mac Sweeny, who was passing with them out of the territory.
The sons of Niall and the people of Fanad having heard of this, they
consulted with one another; and they came to a determination not to
abandon or cede the pass to any host or army that should oppose them:
and when this resolution was adopted, the sons of Niall, Mulmurry Mac
Sweeny, Owen Bacagh Mac Sweeny, and all the people of Fanad who adhered
to them, proceeded to Ceann-Maghair (Kinnaweer, Kilmacrenan, Co
Donegal) to meet and oppose the forces of O'Donnell and the sons of
Naghtan; and as they approached each other, they did not hesitate to
attack each other, in consequence of their enmities and hatred,
provocations and animosities; and they met each other in a furious and
obstinate battle, in which Turlough Cairbreach and the sons of Naghtan
were defeated. O'Donnell himself was taken prisoner and his brother,
Manus, and numbers of others, were slain. Turlough Cairbreach was
afterwards maimed (to make him unfit for the chieftainship, one of his
hands and one of his feet were cut off). After this defeat at
Ceann-Maghair, these victorious chieftains went to Cill-Mic-Nenain
(Kilmacrenan), and Hugh Roe, the son of Niall Garv, was styled lord
after the lawful manner; and he called Mulmurry Mac Sweent the Mac
Sweeny Fanad. AFM

1464

A plundering army was led by O'Neill and the sons of Naghtan O'Donnell
into Tirconnell, after the killing of Con O'Donnell; and they burned
the country as far as Ballyshannon, and seized upon many horses and
cows. AFM

O'Donnell, Mac William Burke and many of the Irish and English of
Ireland, repaired to Dublin;o meet Thomas, Earl of Desmond, at that
time Lord Chief Justice of Ireland, and entered into a league of
friendship and fealty with him. AFM

1467

O'Kelly and the sons of William Burke were defeated at Cros
Maighe-Croin (Crossmacrin, Co Galway), by Mac William of Clanrickard,
and by the O'Briens. Hugh Roe, went to Connaught, to take revenge for
this defeat, for Mac William and O'Kelly were his friends and
confederates. He forced the Clanrickards to make peace, and then
returned home in safety. AFM

1468

Tiernan Oge O'Rourke, the son of Teige, worthy Lord of Hy-Briuin, and
of all the race of Aedhe-Finn, died after having overcome the world and
the devil; and Donnell, the son of Tiege O'Rourke was elected in his
place by O'Donnell and his other friends. But the decendants of
Tiernan, the son of Tiernan More , unjustly rose up against Donnell,
the son of Tiernan More; and they themselves and the people of Carbury,
and the Clann-Donough, inaugurated Donough Lose, the son of Tiernan
More. O'DOnnell, when he heard of this, crossed the Erne with a
numerous army and destroyed Lower Connaught. He seized upon great
spoils in the east of Tir-Fiachrach of Guil-Cnamha (northeast of
Tireragh, Co Sligo) and Coillte-Luighne (Leyny, Co Sligo), which spoils
he afterwards carried home. AFM

The castle of Bundrowes, which had been in o'Donnells possession, was
restored by him to the decendants of Murtough Bacagh O'Conor. AFM

Richard Burke went to Moylurg and made peace with Mac Dermot; and both
set out to oppose O'Donnell, but before they could arrive at where he
was, he had crossed the Erne, so that they did not meet one another on
this occasion. AFM

1469

A great army was mustered by Hugh Roe, with the chiefs of Tirconnell,
joined by the rising out of Lower Connaught, and marched without
halting, until he reached Richard Mac William Burke, the son of Edmond,
who came with submission to O'Donnell. These chieftains afterwards held
a consultation, and resolved on marching against Mac William of
Clannrickard (Ulick, son of Ulick-an-Fhiona), to wreak their vengance
on him for the defeat of Cros-Moighe-Croinn, which Mac William of
Clanrickard had some time before given to Mac William Burke; and being
unanimous on this resolution, they proceeded into Clanrickard.
Machaire-Riabhach (Glare, Co Galway) was the first place burned and
04-Feb-96

destroyed by them. They were for a night encamped at Baile-an-Chlair
(village of Clare-Galway), the town of Mac William, which they
afterwards burned; and they continued for some time destroying and
laying waste the country on every side. Ulick Mac William however, drew
and gathered to his assistance the sons of Gilla-Duv O'Brien, the son
of Tiege, and Murtough Garv, the son of Tiege, and a body of Dalcassian
chieftains along with them. Mac William, with his own troops and
muster, came up with O'Donnell as he was leaving the country; and Mac
Williams cavalry and the O'Briens made the first charge on the rear of
O'Donnells army, at Baile-an-Duibh (Ballinduff). This was vigorously
responded to by O'Donnells cavalry, and in particular, Egneghan, the
son of Naghtan O'Donnell, who was in the rear of O'Donnells army, so
that the cavalry of Mac William and and of the O'Briens were finally
defeated. Mac William and the O'Briens however, rallied their forces
and placing themselves in array and order, they pursued with one accord
the army of O'Donnell. This however, was of no profit to them, for
O'Donnells army wheeled round on Mac William and the O'Briens cavalry
at the river which is called Glanog, and there routed them again; and
the defeat left many men, horses, and things of value, behind them, and
fled in an inglorious retreat. This was called The Defeat of Glanog.
AFM

1470

The castle of Sligo was taken by O'Donnell from Donnell, son of Owen
O'Conor, after having beseiged it for a long time, and O'DOnnell
obtained on this occasion his own demands of gifts, besides receiving
submission and tribute from Lower Connaught. It was on this occasion
that he obtained the book called Leabhar-Gearr (Short Book) and another
called Leabhar-na-h-Uidhri (12th Century book), and the chairs of
Donnell Oge, which had been brought westward in the time of John, the
son of Coner, son of Hugh, son of Donnell Oge O'Donnell. AFM

An army was led by O'Donnell and O'Rourke to go upon the hill of
Cruachan-Ua-Cuproin to inaugurate O'Rourke. O'Reilly, the English and
the people of Teallach-Dunchadha (the Mac Kernans) opposed them at
Bealatha-Chonaill. O'Donnell and his army returned, being prevented
from going to Cruchan on this occasion. AFM

1471

O'Donnell and the sons of Owen O'Conor committed vast depredations on
the creaghts of Carbury, and on the Mac Donoughs on this side (south)
of Sligo. AFM

An army was led by O'Donnell into Lower Connaught; and he plundered and
burned that part of Tireragh possessed by the son of Cosnamhach
O'Dowda.

1473

An army was led by O'Donnell into Leer Connaught, so that he obtained
for himself the rents of O'Conor. AFM

1474

The monastery of Donegal was commenced by the O'Donnell, ie by Hugh
Roe, son of Niall Garve O'DOnnell, and his wife, Finola, the daughter
of Conor-na-srona O'Brien, and was granted by them to God and the
friars of St Francis for the prosperity of their own souls, and that
the monastery might be a burial place for themselves and their
descendants; and they not only granted this, but also conferred many
other gifts upon them. AFM

04-Feb-96 Page

Great depredations were committed by O'Donnell upon the people of Hugh
Ballagh O'Neill, the son of Donnell. A great war broke out between
O'Neill and O'Donnell; and the sons of Hugh Boy O'Neill and the O'Neill
marched with an army into Tirconnell, and burned Tirhugh, and then
returned home again unharmed. AFM

1475

A circuitous hosting was made by Hugh Poe O'Donnell, the son of Niall
Garv, accompanied by Maguire, O'Rourke, and the chiefs of Lower
Connaught. They proceeded first to Beal-atha-Chonaill (Ballyconnell, Co
Cavan), to rescue Brian, the son of Felim O'Reilly, who was O'Donnells
friend and confederate, and to make peace between O'Rourke and
O'Reilly. O'Reilly came to Beal-atha-Chonaill to O'Donnell, who
reconciled O'Rourke and O'Reilly with each other, and also Brian the
son of Felim; and Philip O'Reilly was given up to O'Donnell, to be
detained and kept by him as hostage for the observance of this peace,
besides such others as he himself wished to demand. After this
O'Donnell marched to Fenagh-Moy-Rein, wither Mac Randall came to him.
From thence he went to Annaly, to assist the sons of Irial O'Farrell,
who were his friends; and he spoiled and burned Annaly, excepting only
that part of it which belonged to the sons of Irial, whom he left in
power and might. He afterwards proceeded through Westmeath, and burned
the castle-towns of Devlin, and all the circumjacent country. He
remained for one night encamped in Cuircne (barony of Kilkenny west),
in Meath; and the Dillons and Daltons came into his house, and made
peace with him. He then proceeded to Offaly, at the request of Cahir
O'Conor Faly, the son of Con, son of Calvagh, who was his relative, to
take vengance on the English for his father, Niall Garv. He remained
for some time in Offaly, plundering and ravaging Meath on each side of
him. He demolished and burned Castle-Carbury and Bally-Meyler
(Meylerstown); he also burned and plundered the territories of
Tir-Briuin and Fertullach, and obtained presents from the inhabitants
of Mullingar, as a condition for sparing their town from pillage, the
country on all sides of it having been already destroyed. Afterwards,
at the instance of Colman O'Melaghlin, he proceeded to Coille-an-rubha
(Killinroe, in the north of Kings County), and commenced spoiling
Clann-Colman (barony of Clonlonan), ie O'Melaghlins country; he burned
the castle of Magh-Tanhnach (Moyhownagh), and the castle of Mag-Eille
(noe Moyelly Castle). It was on this occasion that O'Donnell gave
O'Melghlin, with all his muster and forces, the defeat of Garbh-Eisgir
(Esker). This was otherwise called the defeat of
Bealach-na-g-Corr-Ghad, from the gads or withes which the people of the
country suspended about their necks of some of the army, in consequence
of the narrowness of that passage. It was on the same day that
O'Donnell gained the battle of Baile-Locha-Luatha (town of Lough
Luatha, now Ballyloughloe), where the son of Magawley and many others
were slain, and he remained encamped for a night there. The next day
O'Donnell proceeded with his army to the Shannon. Some of the O'Kellys,
who accompanied him on this expedition, collected and brought together
all the vessels they found in the neighbourhood, so that in these
O'Donnell, with his army, crossed the Shannon into Hy-Many, and there
he remained until he rested and recruited himself after his long
expedition. He then proceeded through Clanrickard, Conmaicne-Cuile, and
Clann-Costello, and marched back again through Machaire-Chonnacht
(Iochtar Connacht), and from thence to his own country, having received
submission, and gained victory and triumph in every place through which
he had passed. AFM

1476

A great army was led by Mac William Burke into Lower Connaught; and
another army was led by O'Donnell to oppose him. O'Donnell advanced to
Cuil-Cnamha (parish of Dromore, Co Sligo), and Mac William to
Coillte-Luighne (woods of Leyny, adjoining Dromore). Mac Dermot went
over to assist Mac William, and Mac Donough joined O'Donnell. O'Donnell
crossed the pass to Finn-tragha; and he was deprived of horses and men
on his passage over to Carbury; Mac William pursued him across thither,
and they remained some time face to face, until at last they made
peace. They divided Lower Connaught into two parts between them, ie
O'Dowdas country, the territory of Leyny, and the half of Carbury, was
ceded to Mac William, and the other half to O'Donnell. AFM

1477

Fueds and dissentions arose between O'Donnell and the sons of Naghtan
O'Donnell; and on this occasion Niall, the son of Donnell O'Donnell,
and Felim, the son of Turlough O'Donnell, were slain by the sons of
Naghtan; and much injury was done between them. AFM

1478

The castle of Sligo was taken by Mac William Burke from O'Donnells
warders, and given up to the son of Brian O'Conor. AFM

1480

O'Donnell went upon an excursion into Tyrone, accompanied by the sons
of Art O'Neill, and the sons of Felim O'Neill, and committed great
depredations on Mac Cawell in Kinel-Farry, and slew Brian, the son of
Turlough Roe O'Neill, son of Henry O'Neill, and the son of Mac Cawell,
ie James. O'Neill and his sons happened to be in their neighbourhood at
that time, and the sons of O'Neill and Mac Cawell pursued the preys,
and slew the son of Art O'Neill, a distinguished captain, who was along
with O'Donnell. O'Donnell however, carried off the preys and returned
in triumph to his residence with numerous spoils. AFM

O'Donnell held a conference with the sons of Naghtan and Con O'Neill,
at Caislen-na-Finne (Castlefinn, Raphoe), and they made peace with each
other; and the tanistship of Tirconnell was given to Egneghan
O'Donnell. AFM

1483

A great war arose between Hugh Roe and Con O'Neill. O'Donnell assembled
the Kinel-Connell and the forces of Lower Connaught; and Hugh Oge, the
son of Hugh Boy O'Neill, came to join him with all his forces. They
proceeded directly on their march without thanks to any enemy that was
before them on the way to Traghbhaile of Dundalk; and they plundered
and burned that town, and the surrounding country. The Lord Justice
(Garrett, son of Thomas, Earl of Kildare), with a great English army,
pursued, defied, and overtook them. The others, however, undauntedly
sustained the attack of powerful pursuers, routed them, and slew a
great number of the English; but the Mac Quillin and the son of
Turlough Carragh O'Conor were killed on their own side. O'Donnell
afterwards proceeded to Baile-Lughmhaigh (town of Louth) with his
forces, and burned that town, and he received rewards and payment for
sparing and protecting it. O'Donnell then returned, and parted with
Hugh Oge. O'Donnell himself proceeded on his way through Tyrone
(territory of Oriel, in which the O'Neills were then powerful), and
spoiled and burned the country on each side of him, as he passed along,
until he arrived at the river of Abhann-mhor (the Blackwater); and here
they (his forces, or pioneers) cut down and felled dense and impervious
woods, which impeded their progress, on the brink of that river, so
that they formed a free and open passage for the army through these
woods. He ordered his army to construct a strong wicker bridge across
the river, which being done, his whole army, both infantry and cavalry,
crossed the stream, without man or horse being drowned. They then let
the bridge float down the stream, so that their enemies could only view
them from the opposite side. O'Donnell returned to his own house, after
victory and triumph. AFM

Another hosting was made by O'Donnell against John, the son of Philip
Maguire, and he carried off great preys and booties. AFM

1484

A great war broke out between Con O'Neill, son of Henry, and O'Donnell,
during which great injuries were done between them. AFM

1485

A great war broke out between the Kinel-Connell and the Kinel-Owen. The
sons of Art O'Neill (Niall and his brothers) joined O'Donnell; and the
sons of Naghtan (Egneghan and his brothers) joined O'Neill. O'Donnell
marched with an army into Muintir-Luinigh (Munterloony, Starbane, Co
Tyrone), for it was there that the creaghts and the people of the
descendants of Naghtan were. Con O'Neill was encamped in
Muintir-Luinigh, and the descendants of Naghtan were with him,
protecting their country and people. O'Donnell however, did not heed
them, until he had taken great preys and prodigious spoils. He passed
by the side of the camp of O'Neill and the descendants of Naghtan, and
he carried off the preys from them to his own country, without
receiving the slightest injury about them. AFM

1486

A numerous army was led by O'Donnell into Connaught, and another by Mac
William of Clanrickard, to oppose him. On coming together however, they
agreed to conditions of peace and amity. Felim Finn O'Conor repaired to
these armies, and gave himself up into the hands of O'Donnell, in
behalf of his territories and chieftains. The peace of Sil-Murray was
concluded on this occasion; and the son of Felim Finn was taken as
hostage, instead of Felim Finn himself, by O'Donnell, who took him with
him into Tirconnell, by the advice of Mac William of Clanrickard. AFM

An army was mustered by O'DOnnell, and marched into Tirawley (now
Ballina-Tirawley). The Lower Mac William went to oppose him; and a
battle was fought between them, in which upwards of 100 of Mac Williams
people were slain and many others were taken prisoners. AFM

1487

Hugh Roe marched into Breifny, and laid siege to O'Rourkes town, ie
Caislen-an-Chairthe (Castletown) (in revenge for the killing of Brian
Roe O'Rourke), which he took and three of O'Rourkes people were slain.
The castle was demolished by O'Donnell; and Felim O'Rourke was banished
from his country into Fermanagh; but O'Donnell afterwards permitted
O'Rourke to come back into his country, and he made peace among the men
of Breifny, and compelled the country to rebuild the castle. AFM

An army was led by O'Donnell into Breifny O'Rourke. The cause of this
hosting was : Felim O'Rourke, the son of Donough, son of Tiernan, and
his town, had been treacherously taken by his own kinsmen. Upon
O'Donnells arrival in Breifny, he pitched his camp around
Caislen-an-Chairthe, and, after a siege of considerable length, finally
took it; on which occasion he slew Tiernan Duv, the son of Donough, son
of Tiernan Oge. And having reconciled the men of Breifny with one
another, O'Donnell left Felim O'Rourke in Caislen-an-Chairthe. O'Rourke
levied a protection tribute upon the territory of Breifny, to be paid
to O'Donnell and his successors. AFM
                                                             
An army was led by O'Donnell into Moylurg, by which he destroyed corn,
and burned many castle-towns. He burned and demolished the castle of
the sons of Mac Dermot, namely, Baile-na-huamha (Cavetown, Co
Roscommon). O'Donnel himself, with a strong body of his forces, sallied
forth privately by night from their camp, and committed great
depredations in Doire-Cua (now Derrycuagh). Felim Finn O'Conor went to
O'Donnell on this occasion, and made a perpetual peace with him.
Rory-an-Doire, the son of Maurice, son of Hugh Mac Dermot, who was in
O'Donnels army on this expedition, violated the church of Ceall
Braighe-Uallaighi (in the parish of Kilnamanagh), and carried off great
booties from it; but O'Donnell made full restitution to the priests of
the church which had been violated. AFM

O'DOnnell proceeded into Moylurg in Autumn. He burned many houses and
much corn; and the church of Druim-Conaille (original parish church of
Boyle) was at the same time, without the permission of O'Donnell,
burned by Farrell Carragh, the son of Donnell, son of Tiege O'Rourke;
and as O'DOnnell was not able to overtake Farrell Carragh, to avenge
the evil doing upon him, he delivered up the grandson of Tiernan of
Buannaid to the clergy of the church, to be detained by them as a
pledge for that burning. AFM

1488

Con O'Neill, the son of Henry, and John Maguire, the son of Philip, son
of Thomas, went to the house of O'Donnell; and O'Neill and O'Donnell
made a charitable and amicable peace. AFM

A peace was concluded between O'Donnell and Mac William Burke, O'Conor
and Mac Dermot being as surities and guarantees between them. AFM

O'Donnell and Coner Mac Dermot laid siege to the Rock of Lough Key,
which was in the possession of the sons of Rory Mac Dermot. They
destroyed and consumed the corn of the country. O'Donnell went away,
having failed to take the Rock. AFM

1489

O'Donnell proceeded with an army into Trian-Chongail, in harvest time.
He committed great depredations and devestations in the Route upon Mac
Quillin, without receiving any injury, excepting that his son Con was
wounded. He went from thence to Belfast, and took and demolished the
castle of Belfast; and he then returned safe to his house, loaded with
immense spoils. AFM

O'Donnell, who was guarantee between them (O'Conors), plundered and
ravaged Carbury, in revenge of their misconduct, and the violation of
his surety and guarantee. AFM

1490

O'Donnell and O'Neill remained face to face in two camps from the Ist
of November until christmas, O'Donnell at Druim bo (now Drumbo, near
Stranorlae, Raphoe), and O'Neill at Cairrgin (Carrigins), during which
time they concluded neither peace nor armistice, and came to neither
battle nor contest. AFM

O'Donnell came with the descendants of Tiege O'Conor to Tulsk, but
failed to take the castle. AFM

1491

A great war broke out between Con O'Neill, the son of Henry, and Hugh
Roe O'Donnell, the son of Niall Garv, so that they could not be
reconciled; and they went to the Lord Justice, the Earl of Kildare, but
they returned without agreeing to terms of peace or armistice. AFM

1492

A peace and an armistice were concluded between O'Donnell and O'Neill
until May. AFM

Con, the son of O'Donnell, was put in fetters by his father. AFM

Coner Mac Dermot, Lord of Moylurg, laid siege to the Rock of Lough Key;
but he was compelled by O'Donnell to desist, and make peace.AFM

An army was led by O'Donnell, O'Rourke, and Owen O'Rourke, into
Muin-tir-Eolais, in order to compel the sons of Melaghlin to submit to
the authority of O'Rourke as their chief lord, which was refused; and
the country was destroyed, both its corn and buildings. And they styled
William, son of Ir, the Mac Randall, in opposition to Melaghlin, the
son of William, who had been for a long time the sole chieftain. AFM

1493

Hugh Roe O'Donnell and his sons, Con and Hugh, went with a great army
to the chiefs of Lower Connaught; he was joined by Felim O'Rourke, the
son of Donough, son of Tiernan Oge; by Owen, the son of Tiernan, son of
Tiege, at that time heir to the lordship of Briefny; and by Donnell,
the son of Owen O'Conor Lord of Lower Connaught. And after they had
collected their forces jn one place, O'Donnell proceeded directly
eastward into the province, until he arrived in Trian-Chongail. From
thence he proceeded into Lecale, thence to Iveagh, and thence to Orior
(Co Armagh); and he ravaged and plundered Lecale, and every territory
through which he passed that was hostile to him. While he (O'Donnell)
was on this expedition, Henry Oge O'Neill, the son of Henry, son of
Owen, assembled his forces, and was joined by Hugh Oge Mac Mahon the
son of Hugh Roe, son of Rury, and by Magennis, ie Hugh, the son of Art,
son of Hugh, with all their forces, and a countless host of others
besides them. This numerous army of O'Neill overtook O'Donnell at
Beanna-Boirche, and encompassed him in the van and the rear; but
O'Donnell sustained and withstood this overwhelming force firmly and
powerfully, until he led his army in safety through the difficulties of
the pass. At length the chiefs of both armies, reaching a level plain,
arranged and marshalled their forces for an engagement; and a fierce
and obstinate conflict, and a furious and dreadful battle, was fought
between them, in which they bore in mind all their old enmities and new
hatreds to one another. O'Neill and his forces were finally routed. In
this battle, O'Donnell slew John Roe, the son of Donough Mac Mahon, and
many others; and the darkness at the close of the day, and beginning of
the night, prevented O'Donnells forces from following up the pursuit as
they wished. They, therefore, pitched their camp for the night at the
place where they gained the battle, at Beanna-Boirche, and on the
merrow proceeded to their homes, after having gained victory and sway
in every territory through which they had passed. AFM

1494

Hugh Roe went with his forces to the castle of Sligo, and remained a
great part of this year encamped around it. On this occasion many of
his people were slain. AFM

1495

O'Donnell went over to the King of Scotland (King James), and they
formed a compact and league to assist each other mutually in all their
exigencies. AFM

Con, the son of Hugh Roe O'Donnell, and his forces, surrounded the town
of Sligo, and continued to besiege it for some time. The descendants of
Owen O'Conor mustered a very great force to relieve Sligo, namely, the
sons of Rory Mac Dermot, the inhabitants of Tireragh of the Moy, the
Clann-Donough, and the inhabitants of Coolavin; and they proceeded in a
vast irresistable body towards the town. After Con had received
intelligence that these forces were marching towards him, he rose up
with his few troops, with Owen O'Rourke, Tanist of Breifny, and the
descendants of Donnell Cam, the son of Mac Donough, and marched forth
from their tents, vigorously and resolutely, to Bel-an-Droichit
(Ballydrihid), to meet and oppose them; and they came within bow-shot
of each other; and it was their wish not to give each other time or
pause, but to come to attack each other without delay or respite. And
now, when they had their weapons of valeur ready for action, O'Donnell
came up with them, for he had arrived from Scotland, and having heard
at his own fortress of Donegal of the danger his son was in, he had
stopped there only one night, and was now come to relieve him. Upon
O'Donnels arrival in the centre of his people, both armies gave each
other a fierce and vigorous battle, in which the Lower Connaught army
was defeated by O'Donnell, as was often the case with him to see the
backs of his enemies turned towards him. Many were slain and besides
them, many others of the nobles and plebians of Connaught were slain,
drowned, or taken prisoners in this defeat of Bel-an-Droichit.
O'Donnell then plundered and preyed his enemies throughout the
territory generally, until they became submissive to him. AFM

1496

Hugh Roe went into Oriel to assist Brian, the son of Redmond Mac Mahon,
and from thence they both marched into Briefny-O'Reilly, in oursuit of
Mac Mahon; and they burned that part of the country through which they
passed as far as Cavan, and O'Reillys part of Cavan itself. On this
occasion great depredations, spoilations, and destructions, were
committed, and great booties obtained, by O'Donnell, in the English
settlements in Machaire-Oirghiall in the country of Louth, and on Mac
Mahons adherents on his return back. AFM

1496

The castle of Ballyshannon was taken from O'Donnels warders by Hugh,
the son of O'Donnell. AFM

O'Donnell made peace among the people of Carbury. AFM

1497

Hugh Roe O'Donnell resigned his lordship on the 7th of the calends of
June, being friday, at Templecarn, in the Termon, in consequence of the
dissentions of his sons; and his son Con was nominated O'Donnell on the
ensuing tuesday. AFM

Henry Oge O'Neill, the son of Henry, son of Owen, marched with a great
army into Tirconnell, and first committed great destruction in Fanad.
The young O'Donnell (Con) met this army, on their leaving Fanad, at
Bel-atha-daire (Belladerry), on the River Leanainn; but Con O'Donnell
was defeated, and he himself was killed there, with 160 of his forces,
on the 19th of October. His 2 brothers, Niall Garv and Donnell, were
taken prisoners. The defeat took place on tuesday, 14th of the Calends
of November. Hugh Roe O'Donnell took possession of his lordship again,
by consent of God and man. AFM

The son of O'Donnell, ie Hugh, son of Hugh Roe, was released from
captivity on the 7th of the Ides of November; and Walter Burke
accompanied him to Tirconnell. Hugh Roe O'Donnell proffered the
lordship to his son, Hugh Og, who declined it; and after his refusing
to accept of the lordship, both commenced governing their principality,
and humbling their neighbours and borders, who began to resist their
authority, by reason of the contests of O'Donnells sons with each
other. AFM

1498

An incursion was made by Hugh Poe O'Donnell against the sons of Art
O'Neill. The sons of Art and he engaged with each other; but the sons
of Art were defeated, and Melaghlin, the son of Niall, son of Art, was
slain by O'Donnell. They were afterwards pursued to Caislen-Mael (now
Castle-Moyle, Co Tyrone); that castle was taken and 17 suits of armour
were carried away from it; and 15 prisoners were taken there, together
with Naghtan, the son of Owen O'Donnell; and the son of Egneghan
O'Donnell. AFM

1499

Hugh Roe O'Donnell went to the English territory to meet the King of
Englands Deputy. AFM

O'Donnell ie Hugh Roe, went to the English territory this year to meet
the King of Englands Deputy, ie Garrett, the son of Thomas, the Earl,
and the Earls son, Henry, was given to him in fosterage. AU

The castle of Bundrowes was taken by the son of O'Donnell tie by
Donough-na-nordog, the son of Hugh Poe), from O'Donnels own warders;
but O'Donnel himself and his son, Hugh Oge, surrounded the castle; and
Maguire and Philip, the son of Turlough Maguire, came to join O'Donnell
and his son there. Donough-na-nordog and Philip came to a personal
rencounter, in which they pommelled each other; but Donoughs horse
being killed, and he himself thrown down, he was taken prisoner on the
spot by Philip, who immediately delivered him up to O'Donnell. The
castle was afterwards taken on the same day. O'Donnell gave Donough
back to Maguire, who conveyed him to his house, to be detained in
confinement. O'Donnell afterwards gave Philip, the son of Turlough
Maguire, 60 cows, as a remuneration for his conquest. AFM

Melghlin, the son of Murrough, son of Tiege Mac Randall, was ransomed
by Hugh Poe; and the castle of Leitrim was given up to O'Donnell again
by Melghlin, son of Murrough Mac Pandall. AFM

Hugh Roe marched with an army against Mac Dermot, ie Cormac, the son of
Rory, and never halted until he reached the Curlieu mountains. Mac
Dermot, having received intelligence of this, assembled the forces of
Moylurg, and of the Tuathas of Connaught, to defend the pass of the
Curlieus against O'Donnell. O'Donnell, perceiving this, marched round
to Muintir-Eolais, crossed the Shannon near the castle of Leitrim, and
thus entered Moylurg. He seized upon many preys and spoils, and
commenced ravaging the country. When Mac Dermot heard of this, he
repaired to O'Donnell, and concluded a perpetual peace with him, and
humbly paid him his tribute. He also returned to him the Cathach, and
the prisoners who had remained in Moylurg from the time of the defeat
of Bealach-Buidhe to that time. AFM

1500

An army was led by Hugh Roe into Tyrone, and burned the town of O'Neill
of Dungannon, demolished the old castle, and burned the crannog of
Loch-Laeghaire, and then returned home, not meeting any opposition on
this occasion. AFM

                                                          
An army was led by the Lord Justice of Ireland, Garrett, the son of
Thomas, Earl of Kildare, into Tyrone; and another army was led by Hugh
Roe O'Donnell, so that he joined the Lord Justice at the castle of the
sons of John Boy O'Neill, ie the castle of Kinard, which they beseiged
until they took it. The town was afterwards given up to Turlough, the
son of Con O'Neill; and these chiefs then returned home. O'Donnell
after his return from this expedition, proceeded vigorously and
resolutely into Tirerrill, and plundered the descendants of Brian Mac
Donough, who were then at enmity with him, after which he returned
home. AFM

1503

The son of O'Donnell, ie Donough-na-nordog, was taken prisoner by the
sons of Con O'Neill, and some Scots who were along with them (the sons
of Con), and brought to O'DOnnell, ie Hugh Roe; and Donnell, the son of
O'Donnell, maimed Donough (at the river which is called Dael (Lough
Deel, Raphoe)), in consequence of which he died. AFM

1504

A great army was mustered by the Lord Justice, garrett, the son of
Thomas, Early of Kildare. He was joined forst, by the chieftains of
Leath-Chuinn, namely O'Donnell, ie Hugh Roe, and his son; then by the
principle chieftains of Kinel-Connell etc. These numerous forces
marched without stopping, till they arrived in Clanrickard. Mac William
of Clanrickard mustered a great army to give them battle. A firece
battle was fought between them, such as had not been known of in latter
times. The battle was at length gained against Mac William; and a great
slaughter was made of them (about 2000 men). And of the 9 battalions which
were in solid battle array, there survived only one broken battalion. A
countless number of the Lord Justices forces were also slain, though
they routed the others before them. It would be impossible to enumerate
or specify all the slain, both horse and foot, in that battle, for the
plain on which they were was impassable, from the vast and prodigious
numbers of mangled bodies stretched in glory litters; of broken spears,
cloven shields, shattered battle-swords, mangled and disfigured bodies
stretched dead, and beardless youths lying hideous, after expiring.
After having gained this victory, the Lord Justice proposed to
O'Donnell that they should go immediately to Galway, and O'Donnell
replied as follows, 'A considerable number,' said he, 'of our forces
have been slain and overpowered, and others of them are scattered away
from us, wherefore it is advisable to remain in this place to-night, in
token of victory, and also to pitch a camp, for our soldiers and
attendants will join us on recognizing our standards and banners.' This
was accordingly done and on the following day the Lord Justice and
O'Donnell proceeded ;o Galway, the Lord Justice carrying with him as
prisoners, the two sons and two daughters, of Mac William. They
remained for some time together in this twon,~cheerful and elated after
the aforesaid victory. They afterwards went to Athenry, and obtained
possession of the town; whereupon O'Donnell and the other chiefs took
their leaves of the Lord Justice, and went home to their respective
houses. AFM

1505

O'Donnell, Hugh Roe, the son of Niall Garv, son of Turlough of the
Wine, Lord of Tirconnell, Inishowen, Kinel-Moen, and Lower Connaught,
died; a man who had obtained hostages from the people of Fermanagh,
Oriel, Clannaboy, and the Route, and from the O'Kanes, and also the
English and Irish of Connaught, with the exception of Mac William of
Clannrickard, who, however, did not go unrevenged for his disobedience,
for O'Donnell frequently entered his territory, and left not a quarter
of land from the River Suck upwards, and from Sliabh O n-Aedha
westwards, which he did not make tributary to him. This O'Donnell was
the full moon of the hospitality and nobility of the North, the most
jovial and valiant, the most prudent in war and peace, and of the best
jurisdiction, law and rule, of all the Gaels in Ireland in his time;
for there was no defence made of the houses in Tirconnell during his
time, except to close the door against the wind only; the best
protector of the Church and the learned; a man who had given great alms
in honour of the Lord of the Elements; the man by whom a castle was
first raised an derected at Donegal, that it might serve as a
sustaining bulwalk for his descendants; and a monastery for Friars de
Observantia in Tirconnell, namely, the monastery of Donegal; a man who
made many presatory excursions around through Ireland; and a man who
may be justly styled the Augustus of the North-west of Europe. He died,
after having gained victory over the Devil and the world, and after
Extreme Unction and good Penance, at his own fortress in Donegal, on
Friday, the 5th of the Ides of July, in the eventy-eigth year of his
age, and forty-fourth of his reign, and was interred in the monastery
of Donegal. AFM