O'Donnell Abu

“By Hook or by Crook"…..

When I was a schoolboy aged about 12 or 13, I can still clearly remember the teacher, a nice gentleman (for a change), Brother O’Callaghan, telling the story of ‘Red’ (Rua) Hugh O’Donnell and his escape from Dublin Castle. The period covered by his escapades is the late 1500’s…………….

This story was the beginning of my deep love for ‘old’ Irish history….

Hugh O’Donnell was born in 1572 as a Prince of Tyrconnell (Donegal – Western Ireland). By his 29th birthday, after a remarkable life, he died on 10 September 1602.

At the age of 15, because he was becoming overly friendly with Hugh O’Neill, the young Earl of Tyrone, the English invited him aboard one of their ships, got him drunk and kidnapped him. The English greatly feared a union between the O’Neill and the O’Donnell clans. He was imprisoned in Dublin Castle in 1587 but managed to escape briefly in 1591. He was recaptured within days.

In January 1592, with the assistance of his friend Hugh O’Neill, and suspected bribery, he again escaped with some friends. This was at the height of winter and they made their way through snow across the Wicklow Hills. When they reached Glenmalure they were unable to descend the steep mountainside to a friendly house so one of the three went forward alone to get help.

When the help arrived, the two remaining escapees, one of them being Hugh O’Donnell, were unconscious. The other, Art O’Neill died of exposure whilst O’Donnell lost both his big toes due to frostbite. O’Donnell and his two companions are the only prisoners to ever successfully escape from Dublin Castle.

Hugh returned to Ulster and gained the leadership of the O’Donnell clan. He became known as ‘The O’Donnell’, Lord of Tyrconnell’ – when his father abdicated later that same year.

He began communicating with Phillip the Second of Spain with a view to getting military aid.

The following year, he declared open rebellion against the English. O’Neill joined forces with him in 1586 and they had success in battle against the Crown.

They had continued success during the following two years winning some very important battles but soon became frustrated when the English deployed thousands more troops in Ireland. In fact the Irish had to go on the defensive.

Another O’Donnell, a kinsman of Hugh, sided with the English in an attempt to gain favour and assistance in becoming the Clan Chief. With his support the English landed a sea-borne force at Derry in the heart of O’Donnell’s territory.

Both Hughs agreed that their only means of success was with the aid of a Spanish invasion. The armada finally landed at Kinsale – the direct opposite end of Ireland to the O’Donnell territory. O’Donnell led a forced march in the winter of 1601 to join the Spanish in Kinsale.

The outskirts of Kinsale was heavily guarded by the English and when O’Donnell was asked how he would get there, he is reputed to have said, "We’ll get there by hook or by crook" (Hook Head and the village of Crook in County Waterford).  (This phrase is recorded as having several meaning long before this event).

However, during the subsequent Battle of Kinsale on 5/6 January 1602, the Spanish and the two Hughs were defeated by Sir Charles Blount, Lord Mountjoy.

After the battle, O’Donnell sailed to Spain where in 1602, at the age of 29, he died. It was a commonly held belief that he was in fact poisoned by a James Blake from Galway who befriended him and did the deed on behalf of the English. However, it is now widely believed that he died of a tapeworm – far less controversial.

This period was known as The Flight of the Earls.   All their lands were confiscated and given to more or less anyone who wanted it - The Scots took full advantage.

This was the beginning of the 'problems' that have plagued Ireland for the past 400 years and continues to this day..........

Unlike modern nationalism, O’Donnell truly fought for his religion (Catholicism) and his country. He loved all the old Gaelic customs, language and way of life.

I honestly feel that he was indeed a Great Irishman………..

O’Donnell Abu.

Michael Joseph McCann 1843.

Proudly the note of the trumpet is sounding

Loudly the war cries arise on the gale

Fleetly the steed by Lough Swilly is bounding

To join the thick squadrons on Saimer's green vale.

On, every mountaineer, strangers to flight of fear

Rush to the standard of dauntless Red Hugh

Bonnaught and Gallowglass, throng from each mountain pass

Onward for Erin, O'Donnell Abú!

Princely O'Neill to our aid is advancing

With many a chieftain and warrior clan

A thousand proud steeds in his vanguard are prancing

'Neath the borders brave from the banks of the Bann

Many a heart shall quail under its coat of mail

Deeply the merciless foeman shall rue

When on his ear shall ring, borne on the breeze's wing

Tirconnell's dread warcry: "O'Donnell Abú!"

Wildly o'er Desmond the war wolf is howling

Fearless the eagle sweeps over the plain

The fox in the streets of the city is prowling

And all who scare them are banished or slain

On with O'Donnell, then, fight the old fight again

Sons of Tirconnell, are valiant and true

Make the proud Saxon feel Erin's avenging steel

Strike for your country, O'Donnell Abú!

(There is a version by the Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem on YouTube)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3AbB59WDIY0

------Mike------